Added a skimmer to my 29g biocube. (problem)

[ballet ninja]

29g biocube
40lbs lr
20lbs ls
3 months old
Well after several months of cycling my tank (I am a very patient person I suppose.) I decided to add a protein skimmer instead of using the bio balls.
My parameters were perfect. I then added the saphire aquatic skimmer to my tank, and tested my parameters and now ammonia and nitrates have spiked. Is this typical?
I am starting to lose patience, because I was finally going to get my cleanup crew today, and my redsea master kit is now telling me my water is poison.
Any help would be appreciated.
~Ballet Ninja

 

[nano reefer]

good job getting the saphire skimmer. Did you just take out the bio balls thn put in skimmer immediately after? removing bio balls can release nitrates into the water off the bio balls. I am not sure about ammonia though, ammonia spikes are usually caused by LR.

 

[innerdragon103]

hey can you remove bio balls and use a skimmer in lieu of them? i thought they were necessary in order to maintain certain beneficial bacteria?