Just starting out....algae problem!

[adamizy]

I'm about 2 and a half weeks into my cycling of my 57. I got my live sand from someone's existing tank and live rock from 2 separate running tanks. I made the big mistake of using tap water to fill it up but now I use RODI. I did the first water change today and my parameters look good.
I have about 6 different snails and 4 hermits.
I have a 20 gal sump with 3 sections (drain/fuge/return(no skimmer yet))
Could be my lighting I have 2 AI sol blues on about 50% intensity each and 2 circulation pumps. Maybe I can add something to get it under control? I have a two little fishes GFO reactor that came with it. Any input is appreciated thanks!

 

[Tahoe61]

At 2 weeks you're likely to see diatoms, which have to run their course and then some GHA perhaps. At this point continue to use only RO/DI, I use Phosban and like it, try to get a phosphate level to see what the value actually is. Leave the lights off for a couple days. Give it a couple more weeks and then you can try more invasive interventions and stocking methods.

 

[KJ]

A Simple Guide To Common Problematic Algae And The Means To Control It

 

[DeniseAndy]

Agreed. your tank is very new. Surprised it has cycled already, but I guess the live sand and rock helped speed that. Most blooms happen and then die out. Don't rush to anything. Keep an eye on it and keep lights off. If you have no corals, nothing needs light for a while. Diatoms do go away fairly quickly. Then you will get some hair algae. Fun stuff, but it also has its course.

If you have trouble 6 months in, check your nitrates and phosphates. Also your magnesium levels.

I cannot say enough about my UpFlowAlgaeScrubber. I use one on every tank small and large. Really helps with the nuisance algae. However, I still get patches of briopsis here and there. That you do not ever want!!! http://forums.care4reefs.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=403