Cycling tank progress

[gpg3rd]

Inherited a bio cube 16 about a month ago and have been cycling it for the past few weeks. Recently started growing the brown algae. What’s next and am I where I’m supposed to be?

 

[brandon429]

This cycle is done fully. Begin manual cleaning and stocking as you have planned.


any set of rocks and sand that has been underwater long enough to grow epibenthic algae or any other living attachments is by rule cycled for basic filtration under those attachments.

not anything your test kits have to say matter, your next step is choosing to add fish with or without disease prep. you should use a siphon hose and clean up the top layers of growth off rocks and sand like gardening, it can take over and wreck the scape. No amount of cleaning will reset your cycle, no degree of water change is harmful. If you choose to use disease prep to retain more fish vs no disease prep, see the fish disease forum for fallow and quarantine stickies