I am a new 14g Biocube owner that i got used but put all new water and sand into plus 10 lbs of cured live rock the 3-4 corals that came with it and 3 snails mexican turbo i think .. i got Sea Pure water and Live sand.. it was setup on Dec 26th and now it is getting what i believe to be Diatoms/Brown algae all over the sides and sand and now some on the rocks...

some lite research has led me to believe this is a normal process and should be basically ignored and it will take care of itself as its a "normal" part of the cycle process.. is this a correct assesment? or have i screwed something up.. also ive been leaving the lights on as follows.. 9a-10a Actinics 10a-8p both sets of lights and then from 8p-9p i switch to just actinics again.. is this too long? the tank is not in from of the window but this is a fairly well lit room..


thanks again for all your help guys and ill become a member soon.. this was a last minute xmas gift from my mom so its cost me a lil bit of extra money i didnt really have.. :-p

i am attaching a bad pic but u get the idea i think

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e131/durangochris84/IMG_0055.jpg


http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e131/durangochris84/IMG_0056.jpg

It is pretty normal. From what I understand, the sand usually has some silicate and/or nitrates in it that the algea will feed off of until its gone. Give it time.

I just started a tank in Nov and that looks very familiar! I'm personally playing the waiting game on the advice of quite a few very knowledgeable folks. It does seem to be slowly improving too. Best of luck to you! :)

I had the same thing happen. It will resolve itself in time.

You can knock the floor out of the first chamber and your heater will fit.

I stirred it up when it happened when i first started. Dunno if thats a plus or minus but everythings lookin good.