10 percent water change causing green slime algae?

[tokigami]

I haven't done a water change in 3 months. 48 hours ago i did a 10% water change using red sea pro salt. I made a fresh batch of rodi water and dts was 0- today i noticed massive green slime looking like algae growing in the sump and brown algae on the glass. Could this have somehow threw off the tank and caused a slime algae outbreak?

 

[sbash]

I am tempted to say: Unlikely, 10% is a pretty small water change.

But, clearly, something within the last 48 hours promoted the algae/cyano bloom. The water change would have infused fresh nutrients into the system, which could cause a small outbreak.

What about the source water, is it RO/DI?

Did you test any nutrients (specifically phosphates and nitrates) before and/or after the water change?

Did you stir the sandbed or refugium as part of the 'cleaning' process?

That is all I can think of to ask right now, but I just woke up from a nap, so I might have more questions later

 

[MikeO5422]

Sometimes I start see diatoms following water changes, which to me is a sign to change out my RO filters, resin, and/or membrane. Change it out and all is well.

I am under the impression that a TDS meter cant catch things like silicates which can cause diatoms. But I don't know for sure.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If the organisms in the tank were being limited by something such as iron, then removing that limitation with even a small water change can boost their growth.

 

[tokigami]

I am tempted to say: Unlikely, 10% is a pretty small water change.

But, clearly, something within the last 48 hours promoted the algae/cyano bloom. The water change would have infused fresh nutrients into the system, which could cause a small outbreak.

What about the source water, is it RO/DI?

Did you test any nutrients (specifically phosphates and nitrates) before and/or after the water change?

Did you stir the sandbed or refugium as part of the 'cleaning' process?

That is all I can think of to ask right now, but I just woke up from a nap, so I might have more questions later

Thanks for the comments I'm monitoring it

 

[tokigami]

If the organisms in the tank were being limited by something such as iron, then removing that limitation with even a small water change can boost their growth.

Thanks I think this is what happened becouse I have a massive chaeto reactor and I think all iron was depleted and the water change brought in iron.

 

[tokigami]

Thanks I think this is what happened becouse I have a massive chaeto reactor and I think all iron was depleted and the water change brought in iron.

Should I dose iron to keep up with the chaeto demand?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It might be worth an experiment.. I dosed iron for many years for that reason.

 

[tokigami]

Thanks I will test it