I have a brown looking algae substance thats growing over the sand bed

[goldenreef]

Hello im new to saltwater aquariums and i just got me a 30 gallon iv had it for about 1 week and 2 days i have live rock live sand and also have been adding bacteria to the tank even though i have heard it is useless i have it now so why not use it. Also have a red leg crab as well as a blue one green star polyp coral and one zoanthrope i know i moved pretty quick and now i have a brown looking algae substance thats growing over the sand bed to my acknowledgement its cyanobacteria from the research that iv done now my question is. Is this safe or normal for a new tank to go through ? Should i let it be and just let it cycle or should i do anything to prevent this from happening ? Need some help please and thank you!

 

[Ludders]

Cycle and ugly phases of immature tanks and often no cause for alarm.

I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of your sand. The other thing I would ask about is your RODI water source?

 

[goldenreef]

i get my water already premix with salt at my local aquarium store.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Most likely Diatoms. A normal thing to see in a fresh tank. They should die off as algae etc.. takes hold

 

[OREGONIC]

Looks pretty normal for a new tank. My new reef is 2 months old and even with transferring tons of seeded media from my old reef my sand has a lot of brown on it. Stir your sand occasionally, get some livestock that turns over the sand and it will subside in time.

 

[SMSREEF]

Agree with reefers above. Normal progression of reef tank and likely diatoms.
Get some snails (trochus, cerith, conch for sand) they eat diatoms and other algae that comes next.

 

[goldenreef]

Thank you so much very helpful!

 

[Ludders]

100% diatoms, CUC will deal with it as previously advised.