Brown Algae HELP PLEASE

Hello, so I started a new 29 gallon biocube saltwater tank about a week and a half ago. There is about 20lbs of live rock in it, 25lbs of live sand, a power head, and a skimmer. I recently (maybe 4-5 days ago) introduced a peppermint shrimp, a Mexican Turbo snail, and a small bright red starfish. As of yesterday I noticed brown algae forming on my top rock near the filter and as of this morning it is now all over my sand bed. It's pretty bad looking. I tested my nitrate levels and since the tank is new there is none. I also tested the ammonia levels and there was none found on that test either. I am know to saltwater tanks. I am not sure what to do. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

It's a normal part of the tank cycle. It is diatoms, they feed on the silica in the tank and are harmless. they will die out in a week or so after they have consumed all the silica in the tank.

 

What I did on my tank when I started it was I placed 2 handfuls of macro in the DT and I haven't had any algae outbreak. Also, how long are your lights on?

 

Really? I hope so cause it's gross in there now, thanks for your help. I'll post in a keep my progression.

 

I do have macro in I put that in when I started the tank, hope that wasn't too soon. Sorry I'm still learning. I turn on the brightest light and the atinic light on at about 9am and at 5pm turn off the brightest light. Then leave the atinic light on till about 9pm and leave the moon light on. Is that wrong? Thanks for your help

 

a bit of light reading to set you on the right path:

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

 

K+...your tank is cycling still...after you do a water change it will be pretty much gone

 

Dude, i see 4 types of nuisance algae in that first pic. Bryopsis, dinos, diatoms, and cyano. I would shut the lights off for a good bit, make sure you are using RO/DI, and wait a good bit or just cook it after returning the livestock. You are gonna have an uphill battle unless you like a little algae in your tank I dont mind it so much and my step brother's tanks when he had them up almost look planted!

 

12 hours of light is too much. You dont have any coral in there even in my underpowered SPS mixed reef I only have 10 hours if that.

 

I turn my atinics on at 10, my "brightest" on at 11-8pm, atinics off at 11. I didnt turn my lights on until wk 5. I would suggest keeping your brights off for 3-4 days until you have everything under control. Then only have them on for a few hours a day. Thats my 2 cents.