Weird NitrITE spike?

[ReeferDad93]

For about a month my tank has been measuring 0 nitrite on the Red Sea test kit. Today I tested on both the RS and API and was measuring at 1ppm. From reading on here, seems nitrite is not as harmful to fish as ammonia(which measuring at 0). Just curious why the sudden spike? Maybe someone has some insight.

Tank has a small CUC and 2 clown fish. About 4 months old. I feed twice a day, use a protein skimmer and do weekly 15 gallon water changes 40 gallon AIO. I am coming off an unsightly bacteria bloom but I thought those caused more ammonia spikes than nitrite. Nitrate was measuring 3/5 but seems to be hovering between the 10/20 mark on the RS kit.
Thanks!

 

[Spare time]

Assuming you actually have nitrite present, did you happen to do anything that may have irritated your biofilter. The nitrite removing bacteria are more sensitive than their counterpart and usually die off first if something is wrong. However, even if this was the case, it's probably fine considering it's not rising.

 

[ReeferDad93]

About a week ago I removed some filter padding (I took of the filter socks before starting the tank and am using an in tank media basket) and replaced it with fresh ones. Maybe that could have contributed? Like I said, about 6/7 days ago.