Tank cycling

[alindell]

I have just finally started the tank cycling process about two weeks ago as it as been taking me along time to gt the tank set up. I started with live sand and dead dry rock. The lights are off, the return pump and water circulation pumps are going, I decided to not run a skimmer yet until things start to mature or I hear otherwise. There is also ceramic bio media in one chamber of the sump and I have been monitoring the parameters of the tank. I have recorded the salinity to be 35ppt, ammonia between a range of 0.25-.50ppm, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, PH 8.0 8.2 (test kit may be inaccurate so I will have to use my Neptune Ph probe) Temp at around 77 fehrenhiet. and all others I have not yet tested, but will make sure to do so before invertebrates are added. the only significant finding is the ammonia which is what I want right now for the nitrogen cycle, but I have a question. I have noticed algea starting to grow and assuming this is what is normal so my question is what are the next steps to take? Should I just let the algae grow and eventually it should go away once the tank is mature? Should I just let the tank do its thing since there is ammonia and I am assuming the live sand is working? Also i am sure there are lots of phosphates; What should I do about this, I have a carbon and GFO reactor which I am not sure when I should run these and I also having dosing pumps for vinegar dosing, but I dont think I should do this yet as I have heard it could hurt the cycling process. What about the length of time for cycling my system as it stands now? I just want to hear any advice or comments people can add. My plan right now is to just watch the parameters and once things become at a point where I can add fish and invertebrates I will add these starting slowly and applying myself to the tank conditions.

 

[brandon429]

The algae should be removed. Bacteria = cycling and algae are headaches

Whether it might go away isn't worth the chance it might not I vote remove always.

 

[Diesel]

Algae can be normal it all depends on what kind.
Your Ammonia is a bit on the high side, can you retest like morning and evenings?
Any live stock in the tank.
If you dose bacteria you need some kind of carbon source to feed them, your No3 at 0.0 ain't really helping with that.
Can you show a pic of your tank and a close-up from the algae problems you have?

 

[mps026]

I remember adding snails and hermits pretty early to get a head start on the algae i dont rem how long i waited tho

 

[alindell]

Right now the algae is just spots on the rocks. No live stock as I am waiting for things to settle before adding any as I dont want them to die form the ammonia.

 

[Diesel]

If any clear pictures that would be great.
Algae during cycling is normal and it can take up to 2 months or longer before a tank is cycled to put fish in there, even than your tank isn't cycled 100% as that can take up to a year to mature.
Algae is a good sign as long it doesn't take over a few spots here and there is always good even after your tank is cycled 100% as it comes and goes.