Will amquel starve bacteria??

Hi I have a question. My tank is about 3 months old. I went through the
cycling and everything with a very small ammonia spike a large nitrite spike
(10ppm). Anyways, my water consistently tests with nitrite at 0 and ammonia
just barely detectable and nitrate less than 10ppm. I cannot seem to get
rid of the last bit of ammonia. My tap tested negative for chloramines.
The LFS recommends amquel. I asked him if it would starve my biological
filter. He said no that the ammonia would still be available for the
bacteria. I however am still doubtful. Do any of you know if amquel will
starve my biological filter? Can anyone tell me why my Nitrosomas are not
doing their job? I am wondering if it might be the pH. I believe I read
nitospira like high pH but nitrosomas do not. I recently raised the temp
from 78 to 85 because I have ich. I thought maybee the higher temp might
also induce growth of the nitrosomas but it had no affect.

Tank 55gal
Filter 1 penguin 330 biowheel
1 Regent 30-60 with sponges in it
Elite 802 pump/airstones for extra circulation oxygenation
Water pretty hard
pH 8.2 ( could this be the prob?)
ammona barely detectable in "safe zone".
nitrite 0
nitrate 10ppm

temp 85 (I am treating for ich)
salt 1/2 tsp gal
malachite green/formalin 1/2 dose

Population
4 clown loaches (1.25 - 1.5 inches)
2 platys
4 Zebra danios
1 female cherry barb (male died)
1 male dwarf gourami (1.25 inches)
2 juvenile pearl gouramis (1inch each)