To much ammonia

Petco "fish expert" = fish torturer/executioner.

 

Exactly.

 

Sorry I forgot to state that I did a 10% water change last night and then I got the reading of 1ppm and 15-20 nitrate and 0 nitrite gonna go home tonight and turn of my skimmer and test again to see we're I'm at I've got Red Sea and Hanna testing kits for phosphate calcium alk and magnesium
Just API for nitrite nitrate and ammonia

 

Dr Tim should be here soon.Macna hangover.lol
If you have LFS OR WAY TO CONFIRM YOUR READINGS THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED.If you are reading nitrates then you had/have nitrite.Sorry for the caps.lol

 

Ok so just got home tested the water I'm getting a reading of 1ppm for ammonia and everything else is zero
Man I hate these ati test kits any idea if I'm on the right track?!?

 

You may not be on the right track with API. Can you get salifert?

 

Lol may come to that weird thing is I did my Hanna phosphate calcium and alk and did the same with the API and it workedll

 

Is use API but I currently don't test for alk or mag

 

Ammonia and nitrites are the most damaging to life forms. Nitrate is not nearly as toxic. Have you read up and understand the nitrogen cycle? That is the most fundamental aspect of keeping a marine aquarium. You also need to be able to accurately test for them. Once your tank fully cycles you should only need to test for nitrates, assuming you have enough live rock to provide an ample surface for the nitrifying bacteria to make a home. I would estimate it takes weeks for the bacteria to populate and able to produce nitrates. Also, if you add too many fish at once, the bacteria will not be able to detoxify the ammonia and nitrites quickly enough and the water will be toxic. One fish per week is what is recommended.

 

great article on the nitrogen cycle

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/5/chemistry