Brown Algae

[heydingdong]

I just started a 12 gallon Nano Cube. I put my live rock in last week after putting the substrate in two days earlier. I purchased my LR from a LFS and it is full of Life. Two small star fish that are all white and some sort of coral.( I am going to try to get pictures up soon.) The tank has been cycling for five days. There is a orange/brown algae spreading into the substrate as well as several pieces of live rock. What can this be is it to soon to add a CUC?
Ph 8.2
Alk 1.7-2.8
NO2 1
NO3 10+
NH3 .25-0

 

[th08tu]

Yes I would wait a bit before adding a cuc. The thing is if you add a cuc they won't get rid of the brown algae. Brown algae is just a diatom bloom that is very common with new salt tanks. It will burn itself out in a few weeks or so and then you will get a green algae bloom towards the end. Then you will get your coraline "hopefully" after that. I am still fairly new at salt but this is my understanding so far and I have started a tank in similar size also. Check out my thread to see the algae I have only a few weeks in and you can compare it to yours...

 

[eatsomepopcorn]

The brown algea won't hurt it is a sign that your tank is cycling. It will dies off on its own as things stabilize.