Brown algae (diatoms maybe?) is usually a normal process that happens in the beginning stages of the tank's life cycle. I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep on top of the water quality and it should go away.
Added a scaled down clean up crew (6 hermit crabs and a Camel shrimp).
In anticipation to stock the tank with some potential jumpers i put together a screen mesh cover. Tried to keep the rimless lock so its "fitted" in the tank.
First pic is one of the little critters.
2nd and 3rd pic just to show how the mesh screen looks.
Bored on a cold day so I had a chance to test the water and takes some pics.
Last 2 Test results are as follows:
1/6/2014 (1:30PM): 1 hour prior to water change
Temp.79.9
pH:7.64 (Apex, recalibrated 01/06/2014)
Salinity: 1.024
Calcium: 430ppm
Alk: 7.8 dKH
1/7/2014 (5:15pm): 1 day after water change
Temp: 80.4
pH: 7.81 (Apex, recalibrated 01/06/2014)
Salinity: 1.025
Calcium: 450 ppm
Alk: 8.4 dKH
Other than the pH which I'm not really that worried about the tank parms look good.
Now for the pics . . I hate taking pics under LEDs (I do like my light fixture). Many of these have been post processed via Light Room but I tried to adjust the image to make them look they way I see them.
What are the internal tank dimensions? Also, what is the internal dimensions of the stand? I am looking to get one but trying to figure out if my equipment will fit.
Tank exterior (with Glass thickness) = 17"W x 17"L x 15.75"H
Tank interior (within tank) = 16.25"W x 16.25"L x 15.25"H
Tank stand exterior (standard elos) = 17"W x 17"L x 34"H
The tank stand interior is broken down to 2 partitions.
Upper portion of tank stand: 15.5"W x 15.5"L x 23.5"H
Bottom portion of tank stand: 15.5"W x 15.5"L x 9"H