ammonia spike after cycle

[smt91278]

ive been cycling for 3 weeks...my levels are as follows:
ammonia: 0.25ppm
nitrites: 0.0ppm
nitrates: 10ppm
temp: 81
ph: 7.8
sg: 1.021
heres the thing, my ammonia has been at 0 for days...then today i tested the tank and ammonia is showing...above are the readings i got today. Does anyone know why ammonia has a reading? what is causing it?
i have a 55 gal FOWLRLS setup....

 

[beaslbob]

could be something a simple as an incorrect test. I would not worry about a single very small spike especially if it only lasts for a few hours. if it becomes cronic then you may have something to worry about.

 

[coralwolf]

Do you have any fish yet?

 

[smt91278]

i dont have any fish or cleanup crew

 

[buzz]

I would test it a couple of more times and compare readings, but it very well could be that your cycle just isn't done yet.

 

[coralwolf]

I agree with beaslbob it's probably nothing to worry about. Test it again in a day or two I'm sure it will be back to normal.

 

[stillfrodo]

IMO and limited experience i think your SG is a little low. I have mine up around 1.024. I believe thats what most people shoot for. Again just my opinion.

 

[dacia]

I agree that the SG seems a little low. However, mine is lower than stillfrodo's at around 1.023. I have always thought that 1.022 is a bare minimum for SW tanks.
As far as the ammonia goes, it might be your test kit. I have noticed that on lower quality test kits, the ammonia always reads something over 0. Which kit do you use?