ammonia issue

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I am very new to the hobby and am having some issues with ammonia. I have a 55 gallon tank and am setting it up as a community tank. I have a nice bubbler, resulting in awesome water movement. Currently I have 11 fish in the tank, 1 angel, 2 blue grom, 1 dwarf grom, 1 balloon body molly, 2 glass catfish and 4 tetras. The tank has been set up for about 5 weeks and did not have fish in it until about 10 days. I have tested my water several times and would love to get more fish, but I do not want to harm any fish. I also have put ammonia lock in aswell...API is the brand. I have done several water changes, the first was about week three and since have done two more. Totaling three changes in six weeks. What can I do to bring down the levels??? Please help...Thank you in advance...Jay
ANSWER: My guess is that your tank (although is has sat for 3 weeks with no fish) isn't cycled or you have upset the cycling process by adding too many fish too soon.  
Read more about cycling here.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/fishless_cycling.php
You will have to do frequent water changes (without cleaning the gravel) about 25% for a few days until the levels go down.  Cut back on how much you feed, or if you can, don't feed your fish.  I would hold of adding any more fish until you tank is stabilized.  Once your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are back down to zero I would wait a week and then add fish one at a time.  I would also consider getting a few more glass cats as they don't do well in pairs.  Three is fine, preferably 5.  Keeping in mind that your angel fish is going to get 12" tall and 6" wide (depending on the variety) .  I would not add any other angels, they tend to not get along.  Also, your tetras are at risk of being eaten when you angel gets older.  I hope this helps :)

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QUESTION: great advice...The issue with the levels is that all, yes all other levels are perfect. Nitrates and nitrites and ph are right in line. I was instructed to use Ammo lock, against my better judgement..I did it. I have done a 95% water change after a week or so with the Ammo lock in the tank and the test still detects.  I just added another filter on the top of the tank. I now have a regular double top filter and last night at about 5 ish, I bought a BIO wheel filter and added chemi-pur....was that ok? I was instructed by "the Fish Place" store in tonawanda N.Y. to use that.  My tank is currently filtering about 700 gallons of water an hours. Again, "ALL" levels are great, the water is "crystal" but the ammonia is about a 2.5 to 3.0 on my test. All the fish are eating, have awesome color and are very active....Please help....Thank you..........a new hobbyist...Jay  

Answer
You could be getting false ammonia readings, read this article
http://www.bestfish.com/tips/091798.html
If your ammonia is that high, you will be noticing problems with your fish, clamped fins, labored breathing etc. and to still have high readings after a 95% water change is perplexing.  Check you test kit and try getting your water tested at your LFS to see if they are getting the same results.