I have just finally started the tank cycling process about two weeks ago as it as been taking me along time to gt the tank set up. I started with live sand and dead dry rock. The lights are off, the return pump and water circulation pumps are going, I decided to not run a skimmer yet until things start to mature or I hear otherwise. There is also ceramic bio media in one chamber of the sump and I have been monitoring the parameters of the tank. I have recorded the salinity to be 35ppt, ammonia between a range of 0.25-.50ppm, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, PH 8.0 8.2 (test kit may be inaccurate so I will have to use my Neptune Ph probe) Temp at around 77 fehrenhiet. and all others I have not yet tested, but will make sure to do so before invertebrates are added. the only significant finding is the ammonia which is what I want right now for the nitrogen cycle, but I have a question. I have noticed algea starting to grow and assuming this is what is normal so my question is what are the next steps to take? Should I just let the algae grow and eventually it should go away once the tank is mature? Should I just let the tank do its thing since there is ammonia and I am assuming the live sand is working? Also i am sure there are lots of phosphates; What should I do about this, I have a carbon and GFO reactor which I am not sure when I should run these and I also having dosing pumps for vinegar dosing, but I dont think I should do this yet as I have heard it could hurt the cycling process. What about the length of time for cycling my system as it stands now? I just want to hear any advice or comments people can add. My plan right now is to just watch the parameters and once things become at a point where I can add fish and invertebrates I will add these starting slowly and applying myself to the tank conditions.