brown algae bloom

[E&Js]

I have been cycling my tank now for about 2 weeks and introduced some fish food to it this weekend. So far. amonia, nitrate/nitrite, ph are all perfect? How rapidly should my levels spike? When should i expect an brown diatom outbreak?

[theop]

Need more info... If you just added fish, how were you cycling it before?

What is your filtration system. Do you have live rock, how much, and was it cured or uncured?

[MCary]

At least a month depending on how much live rock you have.

[E&Js]

I have not introduced any fish yet, just food as recommended for an amonia spike. I have a 50 gal tank, w/ about 60lbs of partially cured live rock. I have both a super skimmer 65 & 350 gal filter running now.

[Avi]

With the amount of rock that you have, and that skimmer, I wonder why you have the 350-gallon filter on the tank. I don't think you'd need it or even want it. It could well lead to an elevation of nitrates as time goes by.

You mention that "So far. amonia, nitrate/nitrite, ph are all perfect" but have you seen any traces of ammonia or nitrates yet?
Since the rock you put in a only "partially" cured, I wouldn't think that you need to put the fish food into the tank and you could rely on the "die off" from the rock to trigger the cycling. You should see some ammonia and nitrates, and then see them level off to zero. That's the normal case in a cycle.

You may very well have "brown algae," fairly soon. It's actually usually diatoms rather than a true algae, and with light, it thrives on diatoms in the tank's water. It should pass quickly and shouldn't be a prolonged problem. If it doesn't pass in about 10-days to 2-weeks, post here for the fixes.

[E&Js]

yes, i have seen slight traces of amonia/nitrate but nothing substantial like i was expecting...i will continue to give it some time! i just wanted to make sure i wasnt incorrectly cycling.
you think that filter is too big, or i shouldnt use one at all?

[Avi]

Using medium like bio-balls, filter floss and things like that will produce nitrates. That's why I suggested that you don't use the filter at all. You haven't mentioned whether or not you have a skimmer and that would be relevant to the question of what, overall, would be best for your system right now.