"Cycled" tank with ammonia

[Kynzo]

Hey guys, new here.
So I've had my tank for about 2 close to 3 months. I've added bottled bacteria (1 instant ocean, and dosed seachem). However it's still showing trace amounts of ammonia. Around 2 ppm. Irresponsiblely I did add a clown fish, a gsp, and a Duncan around a month and a half ago when i did a water test and didn't see any ammonia. However I just did a water change today and decided to test and I saw ammonia. Everyone appears healthy and doing well. But it's just concerning. Thanks for the responses

 

[Old Fritz]

Hi, first thing I need to ask is what test kit are you using? there are some kits like the api test kit that are known to be inaccurate as an example I used to use them during my petco days. Someone once brought in water that tested 8ppm I grabbed a new test kit because this one was old and the actual ammonia level was sub 0.25.

I also need to ask what water source you're using and if you test it. Sometimes you will get ammonia in your tap water. Also did you test before the water change or just after? How large is your tank? How much water do you change and how often?

 

[Kynzo]

Hey thanks for the reply. I did use an api test kit. Mine is fairly new but I've been hearing about the issues with them being inaccurate and am currently trying to pick up some salifert ones. The water is rodi and no I didn't test before just after, actually right before a water change. I just added some fritzzyme 9 bacteria to see if that may help since you can't have too much beneficial bacteria, right? Was considering picking up turbo start but thought it was a little pricey at 20$ for a 1oz bottle and I got the fritzzyme 9 for $8. The tank is around 95 days old at this point. I've been noticing some of what looks like cyano bacteria/algae but I think that's due to improper water flow around the sand bed. I'm running Purigen and Phosguard in my aquaclear rn so I don't think phosphates or nitrates are the problem. Thanks for any future replies, I appreciate it.