What is causing my ammonia spike?

[Hholly]

As some of you know, I have been battling ich. The day before yesterday I changed out 50% of the water and aggressively siphoned the gravel in an attempt to get rid of some of the nasties. I also, for the first time since my tank was cycled, rinsed one of the two filter cartridges in clean, untreated well water, like i use in the tank. It wasn't clogged. But i figured some of the ich nasties would be in the filter too. I was afraid to rinse both cartridges at once though. That night, my male swordtail succumbed to the ich(I assume). I didn't find his body until the next afternoon, at which time I removed it. The body was still intact. Today, for the first time since cycling the tank, test showed .25ppm ammonia.

Just wondering if it was the swordtail dying/rotting or having rinsed half of my filter media? Any expert guesses?

Thanks all!

 

[Mumma.of.two]

As some of you know, I have been battling ich. The day before yesterday I changed out 50% of the water and aggressively siphoned the gravel in an attempt to get rid of some of the nasties. I also, for the first time since my tank was cycled, rinsed one of the two filter cartridges in clean, untreated well water, like i use in the tank. It wasn't clogged. But i figured some of the ich nasties would be in the filter too. I was afraid to rinse both cartridges at once though. That night, my male swordtail succumbed to the ich(I assume). I didn't find his body until the next afternoon, at which time I removed it. The body was still intact. Today, for the first time since cycling the tank, test showed .25ppm ammonia.

Just wondering if it was the swordtail dying/rotting or having rinsed half of my filter media? Any expert guesses?

Thanks all!

My guess is a combination of the two, cleaning and the deceased fish. A PWC will help.

 

[Hholly]

Ok. Was worried I may have wiped out my BB.

Thanks Mumma. You're a sweetie.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Ok. Was worried I may have wiped out my BB.

Thanks Mumma. You're a sweetie.

Your welcome
Not wiped them out but maybe removed a few too many. Nothing to worry about. I'd say the ammonia is all from the dead fish anyway.

 

[ejaramillo01]

Your welcome
Not wiped them out but maybe removed a few too many. Nothing to worry about. I'd say the ammonia is all from the dead fish anyway.

Agree.
Plus you mentioned that your tank or filter has a second cartridge that was not rinsed correct?

 

[Hholly]

Agree.
Plus you mentioned that your tank or filter has a second cartridge that was not rinsed correct?

Yes. I was afraid to rinse both at once.