brown stuff in live rock tank

[Nimboli12]

Hi everyone,

Ive got rock and live sand in a 5 gallon tank. Im trying to create live rock so I put some food in it every few days and its being cycled. Its a Jebo tank.

Anyway. there is a brown color on the rock an on the walls of the tank. Its almost like algae but its brown. Can someone tell me about this ?

 

[ErinCahir]

Sounds like diatoms. Normal part of the cycle.

 

[Smitty]

+1 Erin...

 

[Nimboli12]

What are diatoms & is it caused from leaving the light on too long?:question:

 

[Smitty]

Diatoms are the first algae stage that all new tanks go thru. Over time, they run out of food sources(with regular water changes), and die.