Brown algae on rocks and sand

[joshman1204]

I setup my AP24 on sunday with 17lbs of live rock from an established tank, 20lbs of dry rock, and 10 lbs of live sand from petco. I filled it up with petco premixed saltwater and let it run. I have not purchased a test kit yet but will prolly go do that tonight.

When I got home today my white sand and some of my rocks were covered in a brown looking algae especially the rocks toward the top of the tank. I tried to get a picture but this is the best I can get,

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p169/joshman1204/IMG_1861.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p169/joshman1204/IMG_1862.jpg

Is this normal?

[Jonthefishguy]

Yes it is normal. What you are experiencing is a diatom bloom. This is natural. It usually goes away after about 3 weeks. Eventually the brown will go away and green will take its place. To keep it from looking unsightly, use a fresh (new) plastic turkey baster and blow it off the sand and rock. Significant water movement will also deter it from growing on the sandbed.

[joshman1204]

I thought it was a diatom bloom but I just thought it would take longer than three days before I saw it. I just started this tank on sunday.

[sharkboy]

it won't hurt to turn off the lights temporarily...