Cycle complete! Algae?

Got an excellent surprise this afternoon when I tested my aquarium - Ammonia and Nitrites were 0 and Nitrates were sky-high. Woo! Now all that's left is the 90% water change to bring those Nitrates way down, and it's ready for my baby lotl's (just in time too - they're almost big enough for the big tank!).

But.. there are some floaters and I can see some dusting of something in the tank. The guide I followed for fishless cycling said there should be no cleaning during the cycle process because it could kill the beneficial bacteria. I vacuumed up a lot of the (algae? dirt? grime?) when I did the 50% water change halfway through, but didn't get all of it obviously.

What would be the best way to go about getting whatever this is out? Frequent spot-vacuuming? Swishing the decorations around in used tank water?

Algae can be a sign of high nitrate levels but will occur on surfaces even if its low, don't worry about it. If its on the glass just scrape it off.

I think I am the only one who actually likes algae. I don't see what's wrong with it personally, its cool!

Anyway, to remove algae just use something to scrape it off, like Ian said.

Check these links out. The first gives some more ways to remove algae. And the second will help you identify the type of algae, if you want to do that.

Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Invaders: Algae, Snails, Worms and Other Critters

Aquarium Algae ID (updated May6th '10 Surface Skum)

-Seth

I don't mind algae either, as long as it's not on the glass!

I love the green slimy or grassy algae that I see in other people's tanks, even when it's on the glass. Actually, especially then. I just can't make any grow in my tanks! I have never had any algae except for a tiny bit of the brown kind inside the filter. When I tried to "neglect" the tank to encourage it, I only got black mold. Maybe I have too many larger plants competing for nutrients?