New Aquarium Ammonia Problems

Question
Hello..I was wondering if you could help me w/my new aquarium..it's about 4-5 weeks running thus far. I had 3 fish that died two weeks ago, so I got 4 new tetras (the only fish I have in there now). Before I put them in, i had the water tested-everything was perfect including the ammonia (the p.h. was a little low-6.2 so i added a regulator as per the aquarium store). Everything was going fine since i added the tetras last week, but then two days ago when i checked the ammonia it was .50. So, i did a small water change, added conditioner, and a lil salt (it's not a salt water tank). Then, between yesterday and today the ammonia has spiked up to 2.0 then 4.0 today. The nitrites are low, at not even .10 and the p.h is still about 6.6. The water is now a bit cloudy, but the fish seem okay, not swimming around as much, but okay for now. I called the fish store and they said not to do a water change  b/c of the cycling process. I was wondering if you would agree with this or not b/c i don't want to lose my fish, however i am concerned that the cycling process will take much longer if i keep changing the water. Thank you for your time.  

Answer
Dear Jennifer,
Sounds like your aquarium is going through the typical cycling process that all new aquariums go through. But unfortunately this process often can do great harm to your new fish. The ammonia levels must be kept at a reasonable level by means of water changes. It will certainly -not- disturb the cycling process by changing the water. Water changes are vital to keep the fish alive during cycling.
Whenever your ammonia and/or nitrite levels have risen above safe bounds, do an immediate 30-50% water change.

I must warn against using pH adjusters in your aquarium. These can tend to do more harm than good. Often causing very dangerous ph flucuations do to the unstablility of most chemical pH adjusters. Also, most all aquarium fish are now raised in varying levels of water chemistry (pH, hardness) and so are adapted and able to thrive in a wide range of pH levels. It is best to leave your pH level as is and more likely than not, your fish will likely already be adapted to it and will be able to thrive in it with good health. Aquarium salt isn't really neccesary either. It really does little good for fish and is often overated by aquarium stores and fishbooks. I have found in my experience that aquarium salt is not neccesary for the good health of your fish. It is, however, a excellent side treatment for certain fish illnesses along with a medication.

The best thing you can do for your fish is large water changes whenever your ammonia or nitrite levels go above safe bounds (most test kits will indicate what 'safe' levels are) keep in mind, however, that 'safe' levels are only really 'tolerable' levels for the fish. You should also watch your fish closely to note any changes in their behavior if they look stressed, gasping with clamped fins or hiding in the corner.
Please remember that ammonia is extremely harmful to fish, it can burn their gills and fins and they are having to breath in the toxic water as well so water changes are definately a must for cycling aquariums.

Just give your aquarium more time and patience and it will certainly cycle soon. Some aquariums simply may take longer than others. I can bet that yours will cycle very, very soon.

I hope this helps and feel free to write again with anymore concerns!

Best wishes,
Karen~