Brown algae

[GrndHog]

After about a week of cycling I'm starting to get a brown algae over the LR and first layer of sand. Could this be from to much light during the day or is this normal?

Is it time to install the cleanup crew?

 

[e-cat]

thats probably diatom algae and its normal.
its time too run a protein skimmer if you havent already and start up your clean up crew also

 

[GrndHog]

Yeah I've had the skimmer going from day one and its pulling some nasty gunk.

Thanks

 

[e-cat]

i will never go skimmerless after seeing what mine has pulled out.

 

[steve-s]

Since the tank has only been cycling for a week, I would not suggest adding any animals yet. Be sure the ammonia and nitrites are zero first or they will not likely survive. Until then, you will just have to put up with the algae. In most cases once the algae uses up the natural food sources in the tank it will crash anyway. The crew can then clean up what's left once the water paramaters are safe to add them...

Cheers
Steve