Cycle question

[Sonam]

Hi All,
We are 1 week into our cycle of a 13.5 gallon fluval Evo. We are using and following the Dr Tim protocol using the Dr. Tim's One and Only and the ammonia he offers to stimulate the cycle.

So far it has gone as outlined - our ammonia has been undetectable for days and nitrites spiked. Diatoms formed on the rocks. Yesterday the nitrite level fell to 0.1ppm so we added more ammonia per the protocol.

We also observed some green algae growing on the rocks (which had been bare). Then we noticed some orange things that looked like possibly living things.

Just curious if these are normal and harmless?

Photo of day 1 live rock and some close ups of current status. Live rock purchased from LFS.

 

[Crabs McJones]

The algae growth is perfectly normal during a new tank cycle, as far as the hitchikers, they almost look like vermedit snails, harmless filter feeders

 

[Sonam]

Thank you!

 

[Idoc]

You might want to turn your tank lights off during the cycle. That will help control the algae outbreak that will be occurring... especially since you can't put in a CUC yet to help control it.

 

[Sonam]

Good idea. Will do.