What could cause a ammonia and nitrite spike?

Dude this is your issue. Crushed Coral ??? It's been found that this is probably the worst substrate you could ever use because of it's ability to trap fish crap and left over food. when you moved your tank you shoulda gone to a sand bed or atleast bare bottom. You need to get rid of that crushed coral or you will have problems with it from here on out.

 

also all that new stuff you added will go through a cycle and cause minor spikes, just keep doing 5-10% water changes once a week and you should be fine.

 

I changed over from a 75g to a 90g here last September and had a cycle that lasted two months solid. Everything survived, but I kept a very close eye on my anemone. You should too. If that goes, your problems now will pale in comparison. I agree on replacing the crushed coral. Aragonite sand is the only way to go IMO. But, be aware.....this will cause another mini-cycle on it's own. But it may be worth dealing with in order to avoid future problems. I would dose with Prime while the cycle is going, that will lessen the stress on your inhabitants. The new LR you added a month ago is not an issue at all.....the tank has resolved that addition.

 

Thanks. I have had the crushed coral for years now. All the LFS around me use it that is why I went to it. I've never had a problem until now. The Ammonia and Nitrites just spiked this week. Last weeks test was fine. My Phosphate is also high. Parameters below:
Temp-77.5
Salinity-1.026
PH-8.0
Nitrate-15 (setting up a denitrator this week, waiting on deniballs in the mail.)
Phosphate-1.0
Nitrite-0.4
Ammonia-0.4
Alkalinity-3.5
dkh-9.8
CaCO3-175 ppm
Degrees Carbonate Hardness-12.25
Calcium-480

Stock: Coral:
Sailfin Tang, Open brain
Tomato Clown, Xenia
Scooter Blenny, Kena Tree
Bicolor Pseudochromis, Long tentacle Plate
four stripe damsel, Green star polyps
2-Cleaner shrimp, 4-Mushrooms (2 in bad shape)
Green brittle star, Oh- a buble tip Anemone too
Blue leg crabs,
snails,

 

Don't get too alarmed yet. Keep up the water changes and keep a close eye on the livestock (especially the Anemone).

It is probably from the dead fish and/or a mini cycle.

I am a big believer that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger - my creatures as well.

 

The Anemone is still looking strong and did eat last night. I'll do another water change today and see where I'm at. Thanks!

 

What is the Ammonia and NitrIte reading Now?

 

Will test right now and post in 15min. Did a 15 gallon last night but did not check yet today.

 

Ok, My Ammonia is 0.1 and the Nitrite is about the same. I don't understand how a 15 gallon water change on a 90 gal. would make that much impact. My Phosphates are high as well, any idea to help that. I use a phosphate pad in my wet dry. I also use Chemi-pure Elite.

 

The ammonia spike was probably from the dead fish. I may have been combined with a mini cycle as well although I don't believe so.

The water change helped but the ammonia eating bacteria is what really went to town on your system. The Nitrite machine as well.

That's what I meant by whatever doesn't kill the tank makes it stronger.