ammonia spike in 2 year old nano

[0o.Kelsey.o0]

So i have been doing weekly water changes since my tank has been having an algae problem. I have noticed lately (past week or so) that the sand has been a lot dirtier than normal. So before my water change today i tested the water and my ammonia is high it looks to be just below 1. The only thing i have changed is that with the last 4 water changes i have been cleaning my filter (sponge carbon ect) regularly in the old tank water. Could this be causing it? Should i consider removing it completely? Nothing has died recently

 

[melosu58]

Are you using tap water? That reading is quite high for inhabitants.

 

[0o.Kelsey.o0]

I know this No only ro/di water

 

[0o.Kelsey.o0]

we do make it ourselves though...i will test some fresh water now

 

[0o.Kelsey.o0]

nope ammonia is zero in the water

 

[iDream]

Hmm, missing any livestock? That's quite odd

 

[0o.Kelsey.o0]

Nope nothing missing. Just did my water change and the ammonia is at zero now? Is that possible? To go from just below one to zero in one water change? It was about a 50% water change. Maybe my tests are off, how long is the API shelf life? I will bring a sample tomorrow to my LFS just to be sure.