Water turning brownish

[mgann]

Helped my Brother set up a tank a few weeks ago. The tank is at the end of the cycle, earlier this week the water turned brownish. I have never seen this before or experienced it. I assume it's something to do with algae. The local pet store reccomended to turn the lights off for a few days and it should clear it up. Its been three days since we did that and it got a little better. I plan on doing a water change. If I do a massive water change will that effect the cycle? I assume it would have some sort of an effect. Any suggestions please?
Mike

 

[kc36330]

sounds to me more like a bacteria bloom then algae.
could be something in the rock/substrate added to the tank that caused it. other things that might be a cause are decorations leaching or the use of a PO4 remover such as phosban which can turn the water brown.
kc