Looking for some advice

[Aj 408]

So im starting my 1st reef tank I've been cycling the tank for little over 2 weeks now levels are good I have reef light Is it OK to have them on during the cycle or should I leave them off . I did turn then off after a week because Brown algae started to grow in the Tank.

 

[M Stein]

Leave em off for as long as possible.
I wouldn't worry about the brown algea though (brown algae is called diatom). It's normal and you'll never get rid of it. You just need to keep cleaning the glass with your magnet cleaner. But leaving the lights off while cycling the tank is the best way to establish other life forms on the rock that will out compete the Diatoms.

 

[Aj 408]

I thought so just making sure thank you

 

[MarshallB]

Algae is going to grow, unless you start with live rock, it's just going to happen. Even with live rock its going to happen to a lesser degree. I would turn your lights on a few days before you plan on getting a clean up crew. Snails, crabs, etc. So basically, get some critters in there that will eat what will grow to help manage it.

 

[Gtinnel]

I'd personally just leave the lights on. You will go through certain stages of having algea, I'd go ahead and get the ugliness started.
I don't believe there is necessarily any right answer to your question. Either way would be fine.

 

[Aj 408]

With the Brown algae going on the bedrock should I Syphon that out when I do a water change or just leave it in eventually go away

 

[Azedenkae]

So im starting my 1st reef tank I've been cycling the tank for little over 2 weeks now levels are good I have reef light Is it OK to have them on during the cycle or should I leave them off . I did turn then off after a week because Brown algae started to grow in the Tank.

On/off to me does not matter that much, and in fact I prefer them on so if any algae grows, let them grow now. If they are gonna grow they'll grow sooner or later, might as well let it happen earlier.

 

[MarshallB]

With the Brown algae going on the bedrock should I Syphon that out when I do a water change or just leave it in eventually go away

Thats most likely diatoms. If is brown and dusty.They feed off the silicate in the water. if you started out with dry rock and sand just leave it in there until it starves itself out. You're going to most likely have all sorts of algae starting to grow.

You will always have some algae somewhere. Just clean out your tank with your water change once a week. Doesn't need to be major. Scrape the glass, if you have a bunch of hair algae, brush it off and siphon it up. Siphon a portion of the sand. Mostly just let it all do its thing. As long as you aren't dumping copious amounts of food into the tank with only a few fish to eat it the tank will eventually balance itself out.

Real trouble starts to come when you try to interfere with it too much and over correct.