New tank ammonia

Question
We started up a new 55 gal tank about two and a half weeks ago. This was not our first tank, just an addition. We filled it with rocks, a few live plants, treated the water, and let it set for a week or so.

   We then added a few small opaline gourami, a few small bala sharks, and 2 small dojo loaches. We added a liquid plant food for the plants, and regular water stresser and bacteria introcuders. We've used these products before in other tanks succesfully. two weeks later we realized the ammonia was high, around 0.05 . We added another dose of bacterial based ammonia treatment, and waited 5 days. 5 days later the ammonia level was encroching on 0.7, so we changed out 30% of the water, cleaned the tank, and bought some Ammo-lock... which was guaranteed to eliminate ammonia. Now a week later the ammonia levels are bordering on toxic. I have no clue what else to do, two of the gourami died from a secondary (fungus), assumedly from the high ammo levels, and im fearing that the other fish are in danger since one of the loaches has a swollen white belly. Any idea what I can do here? We dont want to lose anymore fish, and we've set up and maintained several larger aquariums and never had that problem. could it be one of the types of plants or the plant food? The live plants are the only new factor for us.
  

  Thanks

Answer
Hi Shane...
First thing is that ammo lock doesn't work as you have found out.
You may lose all your fish, but the only thing I can think of is to try and find a product called Bio Spira.
It is the only living bacteria that actually works and can cycle your tank in a few days.
Other than that...don't be afraid to do larger water changes to reduce ammonia. 75 - 90% if you can....
I don't think it is anything to do with the plants...They actually eat up ammonia.
Food? It could contribute to high ammonia only iof you are over feeding...