Concerned About Fish

[DarrinLowe]

So, today we did a 25% water change.
I couldnt afford the Master Test Kit, so I bought a single ammonia indicator (LiveNH3) It says the ammonia level is at 0.

Our mollys are still sitting at the top.

 

[DarrinLowe]

For the past 3 days we have done 25% water changes (Yesterday it was almost 50% because we were cleaning out the gravel) We noticed in some areas on the gravel there was some spiderweb looking stuff, what is that?

Two more of our fish died yesterday, (Our oldest molly, and our new platy)

Since we have been changing the water every day, the ammonia level has significantly decreased. (From Stress-Danger, to Caution)

Apart from doing water changes are the any other ways to reduce the ammonia? Our fish that we have left (2 female mollys, cory, and pleco) seem fairly happy and active. I have noticed that our mollys spend a fair amount of time under the filter or at the top (fighting an imaginary current xD)

Our cory frequently swims to the top then darts back down, as if he is going up for air, our pleco has been doing the same aswell. Are these fish suppose to breathe in that way, or could it be an air issue?

I have noticed with out filter that alot of the water seems to be going over top of the filter parts, and some going over the edge of the chamber (back into the tank)

It also seems that our PH seems to be going down gradually, how do I prevent this from happening. Right now it is at around 6.6-7.0

 

[the biffster]

do you have plants in the tank

 

[DarrinLowe]

No, we only have fake plants in there.

Should we invest in some?

 

[DarrinLowe]

Well,

I havent really heard from anyone for awhile on here so I thought I'd make an update.

Things have been pretty.. Frustrating with our overall fish experience.

At the moment, we only have 2 mollies, and a pleco left in our tank.

No matter what we do, how far we go the Ammonia levels on our (4-6 week) ammonia strip thats in the water say its at Toxic or 0.40 (Probally above there)

We have tried doing water changes every day, but someone I work with who was in the pet industry for a very long time, has told me that I should just do it once a week, even with the conditions. So we went back to once a week. I have tried ammonia tablets, stress zyme+, every time I've done a water change recently I go at the gravel with the vac.

No dice.

Any final suggestions? We are trying to help the aquarium cycle asap.

I also wanted to add it seems something might be wrong with our filter..

I am not infront of it so I cannot tell you exactly what kind of filter it is.

The water is suppose to be coming out of B, (sponge + carbon / cloth filter) and an amount does.

But it seems that it is over flowing, and alot of the water is pouring back into the tank through A. (the left side where the pump and tube is)

How do I prevent this?