number spike in tests after filter change?

Will numbers spike in tests after filter maintenance? My levels are below:

Ammonia: .3
Nitrite: .3
Nitrate: 20~50

Should I do a 10% water change?

Thanks,
Hine62

 

You should do at least a 30 percent water change. Define filter maintenance... filter maintenance should be rinsing the filter media in use fish tank water from the same tank and then putting it back in the filter. You should not replace media unless it is literally falling apart or you will get spikes because when you take the cartrige out you are taking out most of the bacteria that breaks down the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

 

I agree with what Daac said, with the one exception of I'd recommend a 50% water change. Any sign of Ammonia or Nitrites should mean an immediate 50% water change.

 

New poly-fiber and carbon pad. I did rinse the other filter in tank water.

Sounds like the tank will be building bacteria again. I'll do the water change and keep an eye on the levels.

On a side note:
Currently I'm building a refugium to hold natural filtration such as macro algae, bio balls, live rock rubble, and sand. After this is done and acclimated to the tank can I just toss my canister filter?

 

That depends on your setup, can you give a better description of the tank and all that applies? Sounds to me you have just a tank?

 

I have a 56 gallon tank, c-360 marineland canister, redsea prism skimmer, and 55-60 pound of live rock setup know. The canister has bio balls, ceramic tubes, three layers of filter (2 x carbon and polyfiber), and chemipure elite.

 

You may want to reconsider you canister filter these can create high amounts of nitrates especially with the bio balls, although if your planning on just a fish only tank then this will be fine but if you plan on inverts and corals etc. then this is not a good way to go.