Ammonia Spike

[Arcticfox1977]

My tank is 7 weeks old with fish in. Not cycled. I have been doing WC every day or 2 days depending on the ammonia levels. I have never let the ammonia go above 0.25 I test my water twice a day with api master kit. My stocking levels are in my SIG. I have 2 real plants 3 medium sized rocks a barrel set. Yesterday I did a big water change, probably the biggest I've done since the tank has been set up. This was roughly 50l. I also cleaned the filter in a bucket of tank water that I took out. The filter had a lot of gunk on it which I know is normal. When I did the water change the ammonia was at 0.25. This morning which would of been 12hrs later ammonia was 0.50. I've never had the ammonia jump that much before.
Was this because I cleaned the filter? Or was there something else?
I have done a further water test, 12hrs later again and readings are
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 7.6

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Probably...
 
Its generally not recommended to mess with the filter while cycling... the biofilms aren't very well developed yet.  Don't worry, just continue with the water changes and be a little more gentle with the filter.  

 
 
Big water change is needed to clear the ammonia now.    Nevermind, I reread the end, I had skimmed it at first.  
 
 
Are you sure about the nitrate reading?  You are using the API kit, which needs to be VIGOROUSLY shaken for a proper nitrate reading.  Be sure to shake bottle 2 VERY thoroughly.

 

[Arcticfox1977]

I shake it hard for at least a minute. While shaking hard I bang it against my other hand.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Do you shake the test tube for the full time as well afterwards?

 

[Arcticfox1977]

At least 1minute. That's what the instructions say and also everyone on here.
I've had no reading of nitrite so far. Like I mentioned, my tank is NOT cycled.

 

[snazy]

Don't clean the filter while cycling unless it slows down the flow but that shouldn't happen if you have an adequate filter.  It needs a few months to establish well, otherwise you'lll cause a spike each time you wash it. Or wash just a small portion of the media each time.  Learned from experience myself.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

At least 1minute. That's what the instructions say and also everyone on here.
I've had no reading of nitrite so far. Like I mentioned, my tank is NOT cycled.

 
I think I missed the last part.

 

[Arcticfox1977]

Didn't know you shouldn't was your filter while cycling. I will no longer wash it while cycling. Thank you for the advice again.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The reason is about the biofilm.  The bacteria need to build this up and once "matured" they will cling fast to the filter media (or a large enough group will) so that the colony is fine with a quick rinse.  In fact, without rinsing, some of the colony can be starved as the muck builds up restricting the flow.