problem!

[Billy1234]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6534052#post6534052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Andrew
That kind of brown algae can be cause by some of these reason:

-No enough flow
-Bulbs you are using are old
-Tap water
-Not doing enough water changes. 10% each week would be good.

"Myths about cyano:
1. Bad bulbs cause cyano. While old/expired bulbs will encourage cyano to grow (spectrum shift), it cannot be the only cause for cyano. Cyano has to have nutrients in the water (specifically nitrates and phosphates)
2. Low flow causes cyano. Just like light bulbs, this condition will encourage cyano to grow, but it cannot cause a cyano outbreak without nitrates and phosphates. Increasing the flow will help, but isn't your main problem.
3. Turning off your lights for a week. I suppose you could do this, it will kill what cyano you have now, but you still have the nutrients! You'll also have some angry fish and coral :lol:"

 

[SeanySean]

Yes glass tops do affect light, most people remove them, I have, as they just allow for buildup of salts etc.

As shel has said this could be diatoms (new tank) generally you will see this on the glass as well? circular - brown - flat. have you removed this before taking the pictures?

Diatome algae is brown....

Cyano looks kinda slimy but IME starts on the sand and lower glass then moves to rocks. Cyano "breathes" well it looks like it does, sort of floats away from the surface and reddish / purple in colour. Diatoms are brown and brown.

On buying water from a store, your fellow USA dudes will help out there, In the UK that is not an option, well not a cost effective one,

 

[aloysiusblue]

so does this mean i should do water changes to get the tap water out? or should i let it cycle more? and if i should do water changes, how much should i change?

 

[Fmellish]

When my tank was done cycling, every rock was covered in brown gunk, looked like ash. I threw in 10 snails, and a week later the rocks that the snails have gotten to look sparkling clean.

Your tank looks like mine looked before I added my clean up crew.