Tank up and running 2 mths now

Hi.
I have always wished to have a saltwater tank but never got one. Due to marital problems, sad days, depression I finally got one. I love it so much ! My tank can bring a smile to my face even in my worst moments.
Anyway
It has been up and running for 1 1/2 mnths now. Its a 29 bio cube. The amonia/ph/nitrate and nitrites are perfect , I check them often during the week. I cycled through the rust phase, then the little green algea started growing on the LR , but now I have this red/black slime algea ? growing on the rocks as well as all over the live sand. Is this most likely due to cycling still or is something else the cause. My light is on a timer from 3pm till 10 pm ....Thats the full day light. The blue light is always on from 10 pm till 12 noon , when ONE day light goes on. At 3pm all the lights are on.
Any help would be great. I feel so dumb at times when I see how how knowlegeable you all are here.
Thanks
Lori

 

First off, congrats on the new tank and welcome to 3reef!

I know the feeling that your tank makes you smile eveytime you look at it! They have the same effect on people after years.

What you're describing sounds like cyano bacteria (red/black slimy ugly stuff). It is very common thing to have in newer tanks. They need phosphate/nitrate to survive and they dont need much. They like light and low flow as well. You need to find the source of the excessive phosphate and nitrate. (overfeeding, tap water if you are using the tap, etc) If you get rid of the source, they will dissipate on their own.

Do you have any fish or snails? Pics?

 

For a tank to have this much algae from the get go, without a lot of feeding/livestock, sounds like you are using tap water. Are you using tap or RO/DI?

 

First off congrats on the tank. Mine brings me so much joy it's crazy. I do kinda want some clarification though. You say that your lights are on from 3pm to 10pm and the blues are on from 10pm to noon. If that is right then that's an extremely long photo period and can be the cause of the algae. Even just the blue lights provide enough light to cause algae blooms. You should shoot for no more than 12 hours of total light. It's good for tanks to have complete dark periods.