bhcaaron

Would it be ok to place macro algae in the tank before the cycling got started? How would this affect the cycle? How would this affect the plants? I was thinking of using Turtleweed and Shaving Brush. (I'm thinking of grassy mountains and forrest at the bottom)

bhcaaron

Also, LiveAquaria.com states this, "It should ideally be tumbled in an algae filter", about Chaetomorpha and Ulva Lettuce algae. What does that mean?

bhcaaron

Will no one answer me? Have I gotten that annoying?

MrWaxhead

Annoying no, but I am not a salty, I am a freshy so I have no clue as to salt water start ups etc. In a fresh water though, plants when healty and in large quantities make it possible to stock fish and get going right of the get go as the plants take in the ammonia etc. But I have no clue on SALTY tanks.

bhcaaron

That is the difficulty. Thus far I have only read about two macro algae that tolerate nitrates and actually use them up. They are the Shaving Brush and the Maiden's Hair. However, they are expensive and small. I would like to save up to have lots of them at the cycle's beginning, however, will I risk loosing them all? Hence my thread question. If it doesn't make a difference, then I'd just pluck them in after the cycle was done and not risk it. I'm thinking of going with the latter since I'm hoping to make everything as natural as possible, includding the cycle itself (w/o additives, fish food, natural ammonia or live fish, just live rock/sand).