Tank smell

[Trouser Cough]

Not likely.

 

[Backfromthedead]

That’s my confusion. The tank has been up for 2.5 years (was longer, but I moved then). I didn’t clean the filters.

the BP is a gravel mover and had a big pile in the corner that I vacuumed and evened out. Is it possible I released a lot of waste by moving it, causing the spike?

I dont think so. An ammonia spike is usually indication that 1. Something is decaying rapidly in your tank or 2. Your biological filter has been compromised.

Im leaning towards number 2. What are you conditioning your water with during water changes? Also, whens the last time you cleaned your filters and media?