persistent ammonia levels

Question
I've had my 10 gallon tank set up about a month now (just at the end of
December).

I started with 2 leopard danios, which I have since moved to a 20 gallon. The
current occupants of the tank are 2 silver hatchetfish, 1 green cobra fancy
guppy, 1 sunrise guppy, and 1 tuxedo guppy. That makes 5 fish total in my
10 gallon tank. At one point I had a live plant, which I have since taken out,
but apparently with the plant came a small snail, who still resides in the tank.

I use a Penguin Biowheel 100 filter, which I added on Thursday.  Prior to that I
was using an Elite Hush 10 Power Filter, which I was not confident in (hence
the change).

My tap water pH tends to run high -- at the moment the pH in the tank is
7.4 (after adding some API pH down). The temp is 78.5 Fahrenheit, the
testing I've done reads: 0 ppm Nitrite, 10 ppm Nitrate, and 1.0 ppm
Ammonia.

I've done 20%-50% water changes daily since I noticed the problematic
ammonia levels. I also vacuumed the gravel and took out 70% of it and rinsed
it in clean tap water before adding back to the tank.

I cannot seem to get the ammonia levels down -- they are consistently at 1.0,
and it worries me because I know that is toxic. The fish do not exhibit signs
of distress, but I'm still freaking out.

How can I get the ammonia down?

Answer
Hi Micah;

Your aquarium's system just needs time to stabilize. Washing most of the gravel and changing filters has eliminated most of the beneficial bacteria that removes the ammonia. This bacteria needs time to re-grow and re-establish itself again. Your tank is basically going through the break-in period all over again. Here is a link to my article on new tanks that explains the whole crazy break-in process;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

It is best to leave the pH alone. You want a stable pH, not try to get it to a certain reading. Trying to alter it causes fluctuations that are very stressful to your fish. Your fish will become accustomed to what the tank tends to be and will be just fine. As your tank ages it will tend to be a bit lower on the pH scale anyway. If it really bothers you, add a piece of bog wood or driftwood to help keep it lower naturally. If you have shells, coral, limestone or marble decorations take them out. They add to the minerals in the water and will raise the pH.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins