nitrogen cycle

[Andres]

I'm a new aquarist from Austria. I started my fishtank 2 months ago with a few platys and plants (now I have 7 adult plays, 5 corys, 2 siamese alga eaters and 10 baby platys). from the beginning I've had a constant level of ammonia (according to my test it's always around .05), constant nitrites (.025) and almost no nitrates. it's seems that no matter what I do these levels remain the same. I started doing weekly 25% water changes, then I left it for 2 weeks, I added bacteria too. my hang on the back filter has half sponges and half media. i'm not sure if this is problem or not.

thanks!

Andres

 

[Ken Dyer]

A common tip is to also test your source water and see if that reads similar results.  

[QuiteContrary]

My sister was struggling with her nitrogen  cycle, ammonia always high.

She tested the tap water, and found the ammonia.  She now uses reverse osmosis water.