Brown Algie during recylcling

[nasirg]

I have live sand and just started my 29 Gal. tank with salt water. After 4 weeks, I started seeing algie on the sand and plants. Please help....

 

[elfdoctors]

Congratulations on getting off to a good start. This is a normal stage with a new tank. You're right about on schedule! The brown growths are called diatoms. Limiting the amount of nutrients will help (e.g. phosphates in tapwater), but most of the time this phase will pass without too much grief. A clean up crew (inverts) or herbivorous fish will help somewhat also.
Welcome to the boards!