Small Freshwater Tank Cycling

Question
Hi, I hope that you may have some clue as to what is going on in my new 6 gallon Eclipse tank. I set-up the tank about 3 weeks ago and let it run for 48 hours before putting any fish in. I went to the local pet store and was recommended some white clouds to cycle the tank. I purchased 3 small golden white clouds. I was also told not to change the water at all during cycling despite what I read online to the contrary. So I put the fish in and within 3 days, I lost two of them. I went back to the pet store and spoke with a different salesperson whom told me he wouldn't have used the white clouds for cycling and he recommended some skirt tetras and again was told not to change the water during cycling. I picked up two of them and put them in my tank. Two days later, I lost the last white cloud. Well, apparently not changing the water was having devastating effects on the fish so I changed some water out. I have now had my tetras in the tank for just over two weeks and all is well. Although, one of them didn't eat much for a few days and I thought that this was a sign that things were happening especially since he's eating well again. Anyway, when I test the water the ammonia comes up at .5ppm(it's been at this level for about 2 weeks now and I'm doing small water changes every few days). I get no reading for nitrites or nitrates. I've tried adding Cycle to the tank a few times per the pet stores recommendation. Now, I've also read that this can slow the process down. Any thoughts on what might be going on here? Should I continue using the Cycle?

Answer
First of all, do not use any advice from the local fish stores as they just want to sell you more fish.  Every time the ammonia goes above .25 and the nitite above .2 do a 50% water change.  This could be  acouple times a day.  Cycling takes up to 2 months to occur.  A 6 gallon tank can hold basically only a beta and a african dwarf frog or two.  If you use a betta, you shouldn't lose him, they are very hardy.  do not under any circumstances use cycle in your tank.  it can actually add more ammonia and hurt your fish worse than not putting it in.  If you want to speed your cycle along, either use cold biospira, or squeezings from the filter of an established tank.  If you need help with your tank, go to badmanstropicalfish.com and join the forum, they are amazing there.