Brown Algae? Diatoms? What to do?

[lt34]

My tank was fine yesterday. It is a new 90 gallon tank with 65lb of lr, 40lb of Base rock, and 100lbs of ls. They tested the water yesterday at the lfs and it was
ph= 8.0
Ammonia=.25
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=20
Salinity= 1.023
It was set-up for two weeks now with Damsels to cycle it. Now I have brown stuff on the sand and on the rocks forming. Is this part of the cycle? I leave my lights on for 8 hours per day. It is R/O water. :scared:

 

[lt34]

Also, since it has only been two weeks, I don't have a clean up crew as I thought the tank needs to complete the cycle and be established first. Or should I go out and get some hermits and snails?

 

[mopar9012]

most likely its just because your tank is new. Most tanks go threw thsi and get diatoms, they should go away in a couple weeks, but i had mine for 2 months and had to get some hermits to help the process.

 

[deeze]

Jump up and down... do a little happy dance. Once those diatoms thin out you're cycled! it's usually the last step before you're totally "oceanated". Awesome!
I have also found that adding "Cycle" to your tank will speed that up. You can buy it at most "good" LFS.
Should be gone in a week or so.
I've heard that hermits eat diatoms but they'll never catch up. Take it easy on hermits too. A lot of people will tell you to load up on them but bad things can happen from that. not to mention the extra bio load from them pooping.

 

[lt34]

I was using Cycle and just finished yesterday morning. So just wait then and if it isn't cearing then get some clean up crew?