How to treat an amonia bloom

Question
We have a 20 gallon tank that started out just fine.  As we have changed water, cleaned tank over the last several weeks we have noticed an amonia bloom developing.  We have treatment drops for the tapwater, but not sure why now after the fact we keep getting an amonia bloom.  We have 5 fish in the tank, all less that 2 inches.

Answer
Hi Doug,
Sorry for the delay.  You are getting an ammonia bloom because your tank us not cycled being an immature tank.  To mature a tank, it takes time.  Treatment drops only make it worse because it turns the tank into a intoxicated medicated pool that the fish are forced to swim in.  

The food and waste of the fish, all turn into ammonia when it is broken down.  There are 2 sets of beneficial bacteria that you need to grow.  The first set of bacteria breaks down ammonia-to-nitrite and the second set breaks down nitrite-to-nitrate.  Once you achieve nitrate, is when your tank is cycled.  Because a reading of nitrate means you have grown both sets that are doing their job.  All of these three are different forms of nitrogen.  Nitrate, the final form, is the least toxic form.  Fish can tolerate ammonia and nitrite up to only 1ppm, but can tolerate nitrate to 40ppm.  

Right now, I suggest you do 15%-20% water changes every three days to lower ammonia levels.  You WANT some ammonia in there for the bacteria to grow but you do NOT want too much ammonia to the point where the fish die.  Small amounts will allow the bacteria to grow.  In time, your ammonia readings will lower, and nitrite will rise, showing that u are successfully growing the 1st set of bacteria.  Same with the decline in nitrite and a rise in nitrate as time further more goes on.

This whole process is called the Nitrogen Cycle.
Let me know if I am confusing you.  It makes sense in my head, but might sound confusing typed down.  
-Matt-