High ammonia, no nitrates or nitrites

I went to go and test my water today and ammonia came up at 4ppm but nitrates and nitrites came up at 0. What is happening and what do I do? I did a 50% water change and added some prime.

 

Your tank is simply not cycled. Do you currently have fish in that tank right now? Assuming that's why you just did a water change and added water conditioner.

 

Yes I currently have fish in it right now. I have also been using stability.

 

Yes I currently have fish in it right now. I have also been using stability.

Are you familiar with the nitrogen cycle? How long has your tank been running with fish in it? What size tank and what fish do you have in it?

For a fish-in cycle, which is what you’re doing, I’d suggest daily testing and changing enough water (maybe daily) to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

 

I think you're doing what you should be doing already. Eventually that ammonia is gonna turn into nitrite. Once that nitrite turns into nitrates, your tank is cycled. Just don't add any more livestock until that happens.

With a fish-in cycle, you would have to do water changes to keep ammonia levels down. Prime will detoxify the water, making the environment slightly less uncomfortable for your livestock.