Tank cycled, now brown alge

[Donna Harris]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that didn't I. I have blue bio balls with a white bag pad over it it a tray just above my bio balls. I have a protein skimmer running.
Since posting this, my brown alge diatoms have subsided and today I see a couple of patches of green alge. Lord help me, this alge thing is killing me.
My water is perfect in testing and crystal clear. What gives.? This is normal I take it?

 

[KJ]

This is normal I take it?

Yes this is normal and take time.
Stage 6: Green/Brown algae

hair algae image via reef2reef member johnmaloney

If you have made it this far, give yourself a round of applause. This is the final “battle” of the cycle process. When the slime is gone you will see your first signs of plant life, algae! Green Hair algae is usually the type that you see, but some other types have been known to occur. This stuff will grow like mad. At this point you are ready to move on to the next phase.

The cycle is a long process in terms of hobbies. Find yourself a good rhythm for testing. Get yourself in the habit of staring for long periods of time. Practice observation by watching as life forms start taking foot in the aquarium. You will see things from dust sized particles to worms that reach a foot long. There really is no telling what could form in your tank. This is a great time to prepare for the animals you will get. Knowing how to describe things and being able to correctly test the water will help you get the information you need. Your parameters are perfect now. You are now ready to move on to the next section. You should actually study the next section during your cycle, since you will have quite a bit of time on your hands with all that waiting.

Cycles can be artificially induced, but it is always preferred to use as little foreign liquids as possible. Another thing you can do during the cycle is preparing your clean up crew and first fish, but be prepared to keep them quarantined for a prolonged time since the cycle is unpredictable.

 

[Donna Harris]

Is there anything I can put in the tank to help it go away any quicker? I have hermit crabs, turbo thingees, and snails, about 12 of these guys, anything else? Or alge killer?

 

[KJ]

Sounds like your LR is slowly starting to release PO4 that fuels your algae to grow

 

[KJ]

You can also buy Blue Life Phosphate RX to help control excess phosphates in your tank , this probably the hardest time in getting the cycling right in your tank and don`t give up ,it may take a couple of weeks or maybe a month depending on your husbandry.

 

[KJ]

Is there anything I can put in the tank to help it go away any quicker?

Let the tank do its thing Don't try to rush anything

 

[Donna Harris]

Ok sounds good. Thank you everyone for your help.