Screwy water changes

[twowheelsonly97]

My tank is well established except my nitrates were getting pretty high. I did about a 40 percent water change. Two days later, brown algae everywhere. My clean up crew took care of most of it. Little while goes by. Did another water change, about 10 percent. Brown everywhere. Another 10 and another boom. Fish, mushrooms, Lps are all fine and doing good. I'm using ro water.never add this problem before. Any ideas.

 

[flower]

When is the last time you changed the filters?

 

[blackjacktang]

when you change the water you may be releaseing algae spores into the water why disturbing the algae

 

[twowheelsonly97]

Rarely, they get cleaned more than changed

 

[btldreef]

What type of water are you using?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by twowheelsonly97 http:///forum/thread/382969/screwy-water-changes#post_3346029
Rarely, they get cleaned more than changed

If you have a TDS meter test your RO water. I don't know what type of unit you have...I have one large membrane that must be changed once a year, the smaller ones a little more often depending on the water and how much it removes of the well water yuck. I never heard of washing a filter for RO water.
Also 40% is a little too much, try no more than 30%

 

[acrylic51]

Curious as was it a new container of salt? Did you switch brands? Have you checked your mixing vat, and pump and PH's?

 

[acrylic51]

I've never cleaned my filters.... I do however flush my membrane on the RO/DI unit, but you need to have a back flush installed on your unit to do that.