Have you done any testing besides the gauge?
Is your tap water coming out at 35ppm?Only nitrates at 35ppm. Temperature 73f ph at 7.0
I should have bought a ammonia test, but I have no real use for it. The seachem "gauge worked. About a month ago when I first tried. Without much algea on the media.
I don't expect it to succeed, so I have not thrown much money at it. I am mostly curious. If it works , I have a pool filter to rig with 50 watts.
Is your tap water coming out at 35ppm?