Cycled tank and brown algae?

[HUNTER1]

My 40g tank just finished cycling and of course has tons of brown algae. I have Kenya tree and a sixline wrasse for the moment. My lighting is 4x39 t5's and they are 14 inches above water line, I figure the further they are the better for now. I only turn on the actinic for 8 hours and the whites for 4 hours but the brown stuff progresses faster with the white bulbs on. Should I get the lights closer or they're better at farther away? I'm using RO/DI and the nitrate is at 5ppm. My CUC should be here tomorrow, thanks

[steved13]

Your CUC will help a lot. Algae is the normal cycle in a new tank. The best thing is to manually remove all you can, and keep the nitrates and phosphates under control. Feed very little with 1 fish and 1 coral you don't need to feed much at all. just a tiny bit every other day should be fine, or even less every day if you're more comfortable.

I always believe in running the tank they way you intend to run it long term. Put the lights where you want them to be, and then deal with whatever comes your way.

[HUNTER1]

Ok thanks. Brown stuff seems to accelerate as soon as the light comes on. I'll run the lights then as I have been.

[steved13]

If it's starting to get out of control, people have turned the lights out for a few days, to beat it back, with no long term adverse effect on corals. In a new tank, I'd save that as a last resort.

[HUNTER1]

Hopefully my CUC will do the job. I'm also adjusting the lighting time when it's necessary. I'm glad I have them hanging and can be height adjusted.

[wscttwolfe]

seems like most people's tanks go through several algae phases, each lasting a couple weeks. patience and a good CUC is the key, along with proper nutrient control