diatoms? or normal rock coloring

is this brown/gold coloring on the rock diatoms? I have it on a lot of the rocks

 

Looks like Diatoms--I also see some bubble algae in pic 1 and 2

 

Looks a lot like my rocks. I got a diatom bloom about 2 weeks after my cycle ended. If you get a diatom bloom you will notice it in the sand. Your pretty white sand will have a layer of brown on top.

 

so then has my cycling already ended after almost two weeks, and my tests are just off if diatoms is supposed to come after cycling? I posted some pics of what others has said to be coralline algae but isint my tank to young to have coralline and diatoms? It will be two weeks on saturday, i haven't seen anything on the sand, but it's just messy from the black root looking type stuff but that's pretty much it. How would i cure bubble algae

 

Diatoms are not proof that your tank is cycled. It just happens near the end and sometimes shortly after. Just a good sign that you are almost there. As far as the Bubble Algae. I believe either Emerald Crabs, or Peppermint Shrimp will do battle for you. Someone else can verify that.

 

so the tank should be safe enough to put inverts in? man this cycling has been happening really fast! i don't even have my skimmer on the tank yet! I also haven't added anything to the tank to make it speed up, just lights off, ro/di water, and that's it

 

The only sure way to tell your cycle is over is by testing for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. If you test and you have zero of all for 2 weeks I'd say you're done.

J

 

Did you put anything in to start the cycle?? Dead Shrimp, Damsel????

 

If the rock is easily reached I would remove the rock. Bring it over to the sink and have a knife handy. Turn the water on and start puncturing the bubbles. Remove the "skin" of the bubble algae. Give the rock a good rinsing then place back in to tank. NO NOT POP the algae in your tank. This will spread the algae.

 

Don't put any fish or inverts in just yet. Keep testing nitites(only thing you need to test for right now) until they are 0, then test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. If ammonia and nitrites are 0 and nitrate is less than 20, do a normal water change and you are ready. If nitrates are really high, continue water changes until they come down. They do not have to be 0 to start stocking, but make sure your SG and PH are ok.

If you question your test kits you can test new saltwater or take a water sample to LFS and have it tested.

You don't need to hook up the skimmer until your cycle is done and you shouldn't expect much to be skimmed out for a while until you get some livestock.

My nitrites stayed the same for about 4 or 5 days and then started dropping rapidly for 2 days and then were 0. Then I tested all and ammonia was 0, nitrite still 0, and nitrate was 10. I did a water change, my SG was good but PH was a little low. I added PH buffer and the next day all was good and I bought a few snails and crabs. All was still good 2 days later so I got my 2 clowns.

You are almost there.;D