Aquarium water

Um.. I think you burned the fish and the plants with ammonia, without knowing anything else.

It's difficult to say that there is a "perfect for aquarium fish" pH range that is that narrow, because there are a lot of fish that do fine or even prefer certain conditions. The discus we were talking about above like soft, acidic water--perfect for Mary. African cichlids want it hard and base, pH of 8 or greater, depending on the lake. Goldfish will take whatever you throw at them, as long as there's not too much ammonia and plenty of oxygen, and not too great a shift in pH.

The info the pet store person gave you isn't quite right. You can't get a nitrogen cycle established without a food source (most often, fish). It's better to build up, and keep stocking levels low. One way to get the cycle started is to feed the tank before there are any fish. It's too late for that now, so just let things stabilize, and when you do add fish (depending on how big that tank is and how it's filtered), add them SLOWLY, no more than one or two at a time, assuming you're tank's 50 gallons and under.

Thanks seamaiden.. I can tell u know ur aquarium shit.. When i tested my fish water it was dark blue around 7.6 or so and my Aero Garden water was light yellow around 5.8-6. But ya its been around 2 months since i had this fish tank and its like maybe 10 gallons. We had alot of fish in it hopin for more poop for the plants but alot of the fish died within days.. Bought a few more and they died. The long living alagae sucker and cat fish are one of the first fish i got.. One thing i got concerned with is the cat fish's body turned green. I havent given my plants ne of the fish water in almost a month now... Bout to harvest in 2 weeks and i am in the flushin stage.. Thanks again maiden

You're welcome. That tank is very small, only a few fish for it.

And, some of THE best aquarists/fishkeepers I have ever known (and I have known a few) never tested a God damned thing. They'd throw the fish in the tank, turn on the filters and lights, and next thing you know they're breeding something that's never been bred in captivity before. I say, what the fuck?