Cycling a tank and possible alge growth

Question
Sorry in advance for the questions that are probably very dumb. I got an aquarium, and fell in love with the hobby almost overnight. It is a 16 gallon tank, with 10-12 hours of light daily, a trickle filter, running at 78 degrees ferenheit. It houses 5 neon tetras, a male beta, 3 cory cats, 2 mystery snails, and a african dwarf frog. I also have a couple plants and decorations.

I have researched and come up with horribly mixed results on the effectiveness and safety of cycling products. I am worried about using cycling products because some things I have read claim that they are dangerous even. Should I use them?

also

I think I have an alge problem starting. On my plants I am noticing a strange white stuff on some leaves. It almost looks like little white eggs even, but they look kinda gooey. Do you have any clue what that could be? Would adding a ghost shrimp or two help? Sorry for being so stupid, I'm a noob who's trying to get better at this.

Answer
Hi Lance,

You don't say how old the tank is, but it sounds pretty new.

If this is a new tank then unfortunately I have to tell you that you have too many fish in it already.  I would tank back the snails, frog, cory cats and the neons and cycle the tank with only the betta.

Once the tank is cycled you can add new fish to the tank.  I'm not a big fan of the cycling products.  Your best bet is to ask your local petstore if you can get a cup of "seed gravel" which will greatly reduce the cycling time.

Here is a good article on the nitrogen cycle:  http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=376



Sean
Owner - FishGeeks.com