[Melanie]

Algae is common and normal during the cycling process. It's best to leave the lights off during the cycle to help minimize the algae. Once you have finished the cycle (and it sounds like you have already read up on that so I won't elaborate) you can add a CUC (or clean up crew) to rid yourself of the algae the natural way. **Don't use any kind of chemicals to kill the algae.** You will be surprised at how quickly they will devour the algae.

I recommend Astraea and Banded Trochus snails because they will eat the brown algae (and more!) and are more tolerant of the higher temps you seem to be running. And then when you get some livestock, you will want a detritus eater like the cerith or nassarius.

Based on some bad experiences I'm having right now, I would hesitate to recommend any crabs for the CUC. There are differing opinions on this so if you do decide to add crabs, I suggest only adding one or two of the allegedly reef-safe variety at a time (scarlet and blue-legged). Then you can pull them out easily if they are a problem.