Hello, I'm new to the hobby. Mostly started because my wife loves fish and wanted a tank, however knowing she wouldn't want the task of care and maintenance rather just the joy of viewing i have taken on the hobby. I did extensive research prior to setting forward with any purchases. Unfortunately her centerpiece fish, and Beautiful zebra pattern angelfish died after 4 days... and followed 2 days later we lost a mickey mouse platty as well. Looking for any ideas as to the cause, hoping its maybe isolated issues with the fish but I certainly want to ensure the health and safety of the other fish.
We have a small variety of fish at moment with plans for more and maybe increased tank size. In the beginning it was 2 black Molly's, 2 glowfish, a golden platty and a gold Mackey mouse platty, and then the angelfish. I properly cycled the tank for a week before adding fish, to include using quick start as well. Its a 20gal tank, with a over top filter with biowheel, as well as running a sponge filter, modified with an air stone inside, have a full test kit , except calcium hardness..however we have a pool and I've tested or tap water 100s of time for hardness with caring for it and we generally always have a hardness from the tap around 60. We also have a submerged heater and temp indicator, with a consistent temp of 76°F. Using a ph balancer and ph at 7.0, tested ammonia at time angle fish died and there was some detected but just enough to color change the test solution that wasn't zero but not enough to fully be the color of 0.25ppm. However I know any is bad, so I used api ammo lock to neutralize and did a 20% water change next day as well. No nitrates or nitrites. With that , im not sure as to the cause of the death of 2 fish, the rest however seem healthy and very energetic and enjoying the tank. Also it is not planted at the moment, but hopes for planting in future after more education. Any ideas from the community on what possible causes are? Or could this be just isolated issues? Thanks.