Brown Algae or Diatoms

[djian]

I have been cycling my 72 gallon tank for 4 weeks now and I have started growing either a brown algae or diatoms on the glass, rocks and sand. Not sure how to tell the difference. The tanks cycle is not complete and therefor I do not have a cleaning crew yet and may not be able to get some until the weekend. Is this brown stuff going to affect my cycle? Should I start to get rid of it? If so How? Please advise
THanks
Ian

 

[shnabbles]

Im in the answer aswell.

 

[djian]

Anyone...?

 

[bigarn]

Originally posted by djian
Anyone...?
The algae is normal for a cycleing tank...don't bother with it yet.
Don't add a cleaning crew until the ammonia and nitrite levels spike and come down to 0.

 

[djian]

Okay, will do. When the tank cycles, should I physicaly clean the rocks or let the cleaning crew do the work?

 

[bigarn]

Originally posted by djian
Okay, will do. When the tank cycles, should I physicaly clean the rocks or let the cleaning crew do the work?
Give the cleaning crew a shot at it first..IMO
By the way.....WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!

 

[djian]

Thanks...this board has been the most revealing to the saltwater world.

 

[big911dog]

i agree with bigarn. the diatoms are completely normal. wait for the cycle to finish, add the cleaning crew and let them do their job. u can cut down on algae by using RODI water in the future.

 

[djian]

How do I obtain RODI? What is the process?

 

[an-tron]

My tank has either diatoms or brown algae too... its 3 weeks old
So how long does it take for it to go down about?
What happens after that? Is the tank cycled after that?

 

[nikkoli110]

I have had my tank up for 7 months now, and I have diatom algae everywhere, and I was told to get a conch. I am actually going to pick one up tonight, I have read that they love to eat it, and will help out getting rid of it. Hope this helps! )