Algae? Good or bad?

[jennij]

Hello! I have had a new 20 gallon tank for a month. I have a gourami and some tetras living nicely together. (Purchased Mollys but both have died I think by stress from gourami who is territorial and chases adn new mollys I add) the tank ick a few weeks back and I treated it with salt which worked great!

But now I have noticed this brown algae in splatters on the rocks and coral. any ideas what this is? And is it bad?

 

[Shadow Bass]

Those are diatoms, and are the first type of algae to show up in a new tank. It will most likely disappear in a few weeks, after tank actually settles in more. I know its a eyesore for you, and ive battled it before in new tanks. Just reduce your lighting period, keep the nutrient level low (light feedings) and do your water changes. I have even used a brush and cleaned it off stuff before, Just one of the natures of the beast.