Cycling Algae Growth

[UKReefer67]

Hello All, forgive my ignorance, I am completely new to the reef community! I have just started a new 13.5g tank with live rock & sand. I put a cleaner shrimp and a couple of hermits in and am adding a tiny amount of frozen brine shrimp each day. The critters seem happy and water is crystal clear. Parameters at day 8 are Ammonia <0.25ppm, pH 8.2, Nitrate 0, Nitrite 0, Phosphate .25ppm.

My question is that the live rock is now showing quite dark algae growth and giving off quite a lot of bubbles - is this normal or should I be worried!? see attached photo... Many thanks
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[lapin]

The algae on the rock likes the added light maybe. Try turning the lights down and see if slows the growth.

 

[UKReefer67]

Hi, in reality the algae is a lot darker. I think it is diatoms because I used tap water to fill the tank and I have since read that the silicates in tap water steroid for these. I am going to do a complete water change for RO water and will see what happens. Am also going to get some snails to chomp on what's there.