Help . . . Algae!!!

[ocellaris]

I'm been cycling my 20 gallon tank for almost 4 weeks now. I've got a domino damsel, a small burrowing starfish and two turbo snails. I've also got about 5lbs of live rock and 20lbs of live sand. During the past few days I've been getting brown algae all over the glass, sand and rocks. On the rocks it's kinda hairy green algae. On the glass and sand it's basically just brown gunk. The starfish cleans up the sand pretty well but the snails can't handle the glass. My water test readings are right on (Ph - 8.1, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate all very close to zero) I've been told I need more snails to eat the algae. Is that all there is to it? Will this go away with more cycling?
Thank you

 

[mr . salty]

Possibly will get better,but unlikly. Two major causes of algae are #1,too much light. Try cutting down on "light on" time. #2,Phosfates,Check the leval and adjust.............STEVE

 

[kb]

check my post on red slime remover!

 

[ocellaris]

How, where and what kind of MACRO ALGAE should I get?
Also, I'm still thinking of getting a protein skimmer. I guess part of the reason that I still havn't bought one is that I still don't really understand what a skimmer does that a normal filter doesn't. Can somebody explain to me the main differences? If there any short explaination for how a skimmer works mechanically? I know it can't be too complicated because I've heard that lots of people build their own (I would prefer to buy my first one already built though) Also, will a skimmer remove the nutrients from my water that my inverts need?
Thanks again. I apologize for my ignorance. =o)

 

[mr . salty]

A skimmer removes organic waste that the normal filter doesn't. I don't know exactly what,or why,all I know is you have to have one.So I got one. It works by mixing air and water in a cylinder.The air bubbles contact the water,and the waste sticks to the bubbles. When the bubbles reach the top of the tube it turns into a foam that is deposited into a drain cup that you empty once a day. Mine pull out the grossest,(sp) greenish ,stinky stuff.Almost 1/2 a cup a day. Hope that helps............STEVE

 

[silversides]

I'm new to this too, and had the same questions you did but I got one just cause everything I read said you had to have one. Now that I have used it for a few months I agree that you must have one. You have to see it to believe it. I bought a SeaClone which is good up to 100 gal and can be used as a hang-on or sump model. I paid 60.00 for it on the internet. It's easy to set up and use.
Mike

 

[4husky]

A skimmer removes the Protein buildup/film from the surface of the water that a regular filter can't get. A good way to see if you have a film is to look from underneath up to the light and look for any oily stuff on the surface. It kinda looks like an oil spill on concrete, swirly, maybe colored? The bubbles help 'lift' the oily substance into a collecting area. Anyway, definantly get one, It will help your aquarium immensely.
~Cat~