Problems with Aquarium Water and Setting up, Help. ?
I bought a 20 gallon tank on 2/1/09
I filled the tank that day, but the water appeared cloudy from the Gravel. I then completely emptied it and re-filled it on the 3/1/09.
I then added 3 pieces of slate (is this entirely safe?), very fine gravel and 6 plants.
On the 4/1/09 I added 3 Zebra Danio, 2 Harlequins and 2 Pearl Danios in order to mature the tank.
All the fish are alive and looking very healthy, which is important in this question.
To the water I have added (upon being adviced by the shop) Bactrozym bacteria tablets, water de-chlorinator, some PH down and some Ammonia remover.
Obviously it has only been set up for 10 days, but STILL the Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate levels are all well above what they should be.
How on earth can I get it to come down? I thought the products I had added would reduce all that stuff and make the tank useable in a very quicktime, and I want to add a Puffer but all that stuff will kill it instantly.
What should I do? Just wait….?
Thanks 
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For the water cloudiness at first, you needed to rinse all gravel and decor you added to your tank prior to putting it in.
The biggest problem I’m seeing, which should answer most of your questions, is that you never cycled the tank. The tank must go through a nitrogen cycle to build a bacteria colony to break down ammonia and nitrites into nitrates. Without the colony established, your fish will produce so much waste that they will poison themselves to death. Adding chemical ammonia remover is not efficient nor affordable long term.
You can either cycle using fish (not recommended) or fishless. Here’s a link that can explain the process. There are many other websites that will give you additional info on the cycling process because it is VERY important.
As for your fish, you’ll either need to return them or find a way to care for them until your tank is cycled. You have too many fish to do a cycling with them all in. It’s too risky. As for the puffer: No. Puffers are much more difficult to take care of. They require a very specific and expensive diet as well as a lot of space.20 gallons won’t cut it; you’ll need more like 75 gallons and above.