still getting ammonia and nitrite

I have a 55 gal tank that has been setup for 4 weeks. I had a clownfish in it for the last 2 weeks but he checked out.. Anyways im still gettin ammonia readings of .25 and nitrites of .25. they have never been higher just that same level for the last 2 weeks. I have 50lbs of live rock, 40lbs of live sand. I run 2 marineland powerfilter rated for 70 gals each.

 

Have you done any water changes yet? Even though you started with live rock did you toss a piece of shrimp or anything in before the clown to start a cycle? What are your nitrites currently at? What kind of filter media are you running? Me personally I'm not a fan of live sand. I know we are talking bacteria for the live aspect but I dont see how bagging it up and throwing it on a shelf for how long provides much benefit. I know some people swear by it, but thats just me.

 

Before the clown, I had a turbo snail, 2 black snails and a fiddler crab. They are all still alive and well. I put the LR in two weeks before adding the clown. It was fully cured from the LFS. The nitrites and ammonia are currently both at .25. I did WC of about 15% a week ago. Think i should do another?

 

i would get the water tested at your LFS to make sure that the readings you are getting are correct. with that much live rock, i would expect the cycle to have completed by now........that is assuming that there was anything alive on the rock.

 

What are the nitrate levels in the water and what is your water source?

 

I havent tested the nitrate level. water source is just treated tap water. so im sure the nitrates are alittle high.

 

? is it ok to use mechanical filters? I have 2 marineland powerfilters and was gonna add another. they are rated for 70 gals each.

 

one more thing.. for about a week the clown had a couple white string things hangin from it. he would poop them out and they would break off, then a couple of days later there would be another.

 

I'd double check your water with the LFS too.. from weeks 4-8 my tank was showing .25 ammonia and .25 nitrites and finally I took a sample in to get checked and both came back zero. I had since read many other people having the exact same issue with their Red Sea test kits..

 

i use api tests kits for the ammonia and nitrite.. red sea for the ph. anyone having problems with api?