2 part question in cycle and brown algae!

Ok so I’ve posted about a month ago thinking I was cycled....
Recap.... 55 gallon cycle with fish.
I was getting readings of
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 5
I did have an ammonia spike before Nitrates showed up, but never showed any nitrites.
Well as of the last 2 weeks I was getting nitrite readings between.25 and .50! I have been doing 50% water changes whenever nitrite was at .5 usually every other day. Testing everyday with the API master kit.
Ammonia still always 0 and nitrates 5 or less.

Today my readings are
Ammonia 0
Nitrites .5
Nitrates 10
I am about to do a 50% WC for the Nitrites. But I am assuming with the jump in Nitrates, I’m now almost cycled??
Also brown algae has formed on the tank glass as well as my fake plants.
Is it ok the clean the glass during a cycle process?
I read to remove it from the fake plants, I can use 1 part pure bleach to 5 parts water. Let plants soak, then rinse with tap water until no bleach smell???? Is this true?
thanks

 

The brown is most likely Diatoms which always show up in new tanks. You can clean your glass when you do your WC. does the brown just brush off like dust from your plants? If so just wipe them while in the tank and then do your WC. Lastly always do a test on your source water so you know exactly what your adding back into your tank and never forget your Water Conditioner preferrably Prime it will detoxify Ammonia and Nitrites up to 1ppm for 24-48 hours to keep your inhabitants safe. Good luck... Do you care to share a pic of your set up

 

The brown is most likely Diatoms which always show up in new tanks. You can clean your glass when you do your WC. does the brown just brush off like dust from your plants? If so just wipe them while in the tank and then do your WC. Lastly always do a test on your source water so you know exactly what your adding back into your tank and never forget your Water Conditioner preferrably Prime it will detoxify Ammonia and Nitrites up to 1ppm for 24-48 hours to keep your inhabitants safe. Good luck... Do you care to share a pic of your set up

I haven’t tried to remove it off the plants, so
I’m not sure. What’s on the glass almost feels greasy. I do use prime with every WC. I have dosed with prime only if I can’t do an immediate WC.
my tap water is tested periodically, nothing that registers on the test kit.

 

Looks great! I would try to rub the plant leaves between your fingers to see if it removes easily. As for the glass if you have an expired or used up gift card those are the best glass cleaners. Hit the affected areas and do your WC as you normally do.

 

Looks great! I would try to rub the plant leaves between your fingers to see if it removes easily. As for the glass if you have an expired or used up gift card those are the best glass cleaners. Hit the affected areas and do your WC as you normally do.

Ok will do! Thank you.

Looks great! I would try to rub the plant leaves between your fingers to see if it removes easily. As for the glass if you have an expired or used up gift card those are the best glass cleaners. Hit the affected areas and do your WC as you normally do.

It won’t come off the fake plants. I even tried using my thumb nail.
more pictures.

 

Hmmm maybe add a nerite snail or 2 to see if they make quick work of it. I wouldn't jump to bleaching it right away. Although you can remove them and run them under hot water and probably use something like filter floss or a prefilter sponge to scrub it off. May take a little elbow grease.

 

Hmmm maybe add a nerite snail or 2 to see if they make quick work of it. I wouldn't jump to bleaching it right away. Although you can remove them and run them under hot water and probably use something like filter floss or a prefilter sponge to scrub it off. May take a little elbow grease.

Ok thanks! I will skip the plants tonight. Just starting WC now. I am going to clean the glass though. Thanks!