high pH and high ammonia

Question
QUESTION: I just started a 15 gal freshwater tank up about 3 weeks ago, and it has high pH and high ammonia. We tested are household water and that was high, just like the fish tank, around 8.0 if not higher. We used a pH decreaser made by Topfin, and changed 30% of the water out with distilled water with no luck. Now we are using Discus buffer made by Seachem for about a week now, and hasn't even phased it yet. The ammonia has been running about 2.0 to a 3.0. We been using Stress Zyme made by API, for about 2 weeks with still no luck. We have about 5 fish in the tank right now, 3 zebra tetras and 2 redstar platies. I have go no idea on what to do, i'm not sure if we are using the right chemicals and maybe we are not waiting long enough. By the way the tank has an undergravel filter system if that makes a difference. So please let me know what to do about these problems, to get this back to normal. thanks
         nathan

ANSWER: Hi Nathan:  do you have fish in there???  what is the value of pH in the tap and in the tank?  Do you have an ammonia value for your tap?>  please let me know... dave

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QUESTION: To answer your questions, yes we do have some fish in the tank. 5 total, 3 zebra tetras and 2 redstar platies.  The pH value on the tap water is about 8.2 and the fish tank is also 8.2, but we have also changed 30% of the water out about 2 weeks ago and replaced it with distilled water which had a 7.2 pH value. The value of ammonia in the tank is about 2.0 to 3.0 and the tap water is right at zero. if that helps out, let me know if you need anything more, thanks................ nathan

Answer
Hi Nathan: You will want to find a nice piece of cured driftwood for your tank...  this will lower the pH overtime.  8.2 is high but not detrimental to your fish and should self regulate. Please stop the process of helping the pH, find some driftwood/bog wood and let that do the job over time.  When you do your water change please use spring water instead of the tap water... distilled water is ok but sometimes the fish need the other minerals that are in water.  For the ammonia... I think I would start by trying to really clean the gravel, take the ornaments out and give them a quick rinse but make sure your gravel is really cleaned... sounds like food or something is building up under the ornaments or in the gravel and causing the ammonia to shoot up.... you pretty much have something in there somewhere that is rotting.  keep me posted... dave