sudden ammonia spike

[alyssia]

What would be some reasons for a sudden ammonia spike in a seven month old tank? I haven't had ammonia in months but tonight I noticed one of my feather dusters had thrown it's crown and my bubble coral was shriveled. I haven't added anything new in months and nothing has died. My readings are:
trites 0
trates 40
ph 8.2
The above are all the same as last week but last week my ammonia was 0, and now it's 1.0 :scared:
The only thing I have changed is I've been feeding a little more heavily. :help:

 

[joe 09]

did you stir up the bottom that could cause a spike.

 

[turningtim]

Are you sure a snail didn't die or something that you may not have noticed? Boy thats weird. I had a big OL' turbo die and spiked my tank but after I found it all was well. I wouldn't think that just a little extra food would do that.
Double check the test kit maybe?
HTH
Tim

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by joe 09
did you stir up the bottom that could cause a spike.

Nope.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by TurningTim
Are you sure a snail didn't die or something that you may not have noticed? Boy thats weird. I had a big OL' turbo die and spiked my tank but after I found it all was well. I wouldn't think that just a little extra food would do that.
Double check the test kit maybe?
HTH
Tim

I might have had a little snail die. I have so many I wouldn't know. But would something that small cause such a spike? I did a 25% water change yesterday. Should I do another one?

 

[dogstar]

Steady overfeeding can cause a rise in ammonia. Even if the fish and other things are eating every thing then they still poop more, need to adjust an increase in feeding slowly so the bacteria can adjust and grow more to cycle ammonia. Best do increase water changes untill it cyles.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by TurningTim
Are you sure a snail didn't die or something that you may not have noticed? Boy thats weird. I had a big OL' turbo die and spiked my tank but after I found it all was well. I wouldn't think that just a little extra food would do that.
Double check the test kit maybe?
HTH
Tim

I forgot to add, I checked the ammonia in my other two tanks and it was zero so it's not my test.

 

[boalgf]

Do you use RO water or tap?
Sometimes using chemicals in a tank can throw off the reading. Are there any chemicals you've used in this tank and not the others?

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by boalgf
Do you use RO water or tap?
Sometimes using chemicals in a tank can throw off the reading. Are there any chemicals you've used in this tank and not the others?

The only thing I've used in this tank that I haven't used any others is kalkwasser.
I also use RO water.