Brownish algae

[Rugger]

have brownish colored algae starting to spread on my rocks. PH is 8.4 ammonia was around 0.25 ppm nitrite was 0 ppm and nitrate is 20 ppm. Just got and started running a cpr pak bak protien skimmer with bio bale. nothing in tank but 6 pieces of base rock 2 pieces(8 lbs) live fiji rock and about 25 snails in a 30gallon tank. Any advice would be amazing please.

 

[nuwave59]

The skimmer will surely help. Perfectly normal to have algae in a young system. Do you use RO/DI water? It helps a lot too!

 

[AquaRick]

With an ammonia reading it seems you haven't finished cycling? How long have your had your tank up and running? Does the brown algae look like diatoms?
ReefCleaners.org | Clean Up Crews and Macro Algae - Nuisance Algae ID Guide

 

[Rugger]

Have had it up and going almost 2 weeks used bio-spira instead of going through process or hanging shrip( as per lfs advice). Is this just part of process dealing with the algae or is this something that needs action? Here are couple pics of it.

 

[AquaRick]

2 weeks isn't enough to cycle your tank. Bio-Spira doesn't replace the cycling process. You really do need to add an ammonia source (shrimp, or pure ammonia) and finish cycling your tank. There aren't really any shortcuts in this hobby.

Your algae looks like a mix of diatoms and bubble algae. Either way, finish your cycling first (with lights off) and then you can start tackling your algae issue.

 

[uh.oh...]

just diatoms. The bubbles are the off gas of the algae. its normal

 

[Sniperhank]

Turn off the skimmer. It will help the process go along. The already stated info will help you out in the long run. Any ammonia or nitrite levels can be deadly to the inhabitants of your tank. You have a good start with the rock in there, which is what is your ammonia source currently as there is always some die off. Don't worry about the algae, focus on getting the bacteria grown in your tank so any ammonia/nitrite that is produced by your future inhabitants ends up getting consumed. The addition of more rock will also help with this. Live rock can be pricey, so you might want to look into base rock or just ordering more online to save money. This will give more area for the bacteria to grow in your tank. It looks like alot to swallow and pay for, but it will literally save you hundreds (if not thousands)

 

[Rugger]

Okay so lights are off in it and shrimp is hanging in a net bag. How long before testing water and a water change?