When to Add Macros

[mocha 75]

I’m from the freshwater planted world and using plants during the cycling phase is common. But when I research macro algae I’m getting info to NOT add them until the tank is cycled.

Is this accurate? The tank cycling began a few days ago. I wanted to add hearty macros like caulperas and once they were established introduce pods to the tank.

 

[Lasse]

I’m from the freshwater planted world and using plants during the cycling phase is common. But when I research macro algae I’m getting info to NOT add them until the tank is cycled.

Is this accurate? The tank cycling began a few days ago. I wanted to add hearty macros like caulperas and once they were established introduce pods to the tank.

Are you setting up a macro, coral or only fish tank?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[mocha 75]

All three. Macros, soft corals, and then some fish to help add nitrates since the macros will most likely consume any nitrates like crazy.

 

[Subsea]

Is this the 20G long tank that you want a mixed reef? If so, I suggest you not add macros until tanks nitrification bacteria are established.

When adding ammonia to establish the nitrification bacteria cycle, macro algae will consume ammonia and compete with bacteria.

“macros will most likely consume any nitrates like crazy“
And for that reason, don’t include macros with the nitrification bacteria cycle

 

[Lousara1]

You should be able to add it in as soon as you’d like long as there’s enough nutrients in the water. It can even help avoid the ugly stage by outcompeting other nuisance algae. The bacteria will still populate the tank.

 

[Lasse]

The bacteria will still populate the tank

Bacteria as group - yes but the nitrification bacteria (and archaea that´s responsible for most of the ammonium oxidation) is not any bacteria in general - they are rather special.

The answer is depended on how you cycle the tank - if you do it the freshwater way with help of fish and careful feeding (as I describe here) Imo you can introduce a smaller amount if macro as soon as you turn on light - you will have enough of PO4 and NH4/NO3 in order to have them to grow. On the other hand if you already are so destroyed in your thinking by the very complicated methods that´s populare among saltwater aquarists that you start fishless and use chemical NH3/NH4 for your cycling - wait with the macros till you have introduced fish. In this case - do not use your lights before introduction of macros if you not have enough of clean up crew like hermits. snails an urchins. If you wont to have macros - you probably need to take away urchins

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Lousara1]

The bacteria will still populate the tank

Bacteria as group - yes but the nitrification bacteria (and archaea that´s responsible for most of the ammonium oxidation) is not any bacteria in general - they are rather special.

The answer is depended on how you cycle the tank - if you do it the freshwater way with help of fish and careful feeding (as I describe here) Imo you can introduce a smaller amount if macro as soon as you turn on light - you will have enough of PO4 and NH4/NO3 in order to have them to grow. On the other hand if you already are so destroyed in your thinking by the very complicated methods that´s populare among saltwater aquarists that you start fishless and use chemical NH3/NH4 for your cycling - wait with the macros till you have introduced fish. In this case - do not use your lights before introduction of macros if you not have enough of clean up crew like hermits. snails an urchins. If you wont to have macros - you probably need to take away urchins

Sincerely Lasse

Yes they are special bacteria. What I’m trying to say is I doubt the macro algae added will outcompete the bacteria to the point where the tank can’t cycle properly. Also, the point of a cycle is to ensure ammonia and nitrites are converted into nitrate quickly so all the inhabitants are safe. If this can be done with macro algae along with bacteria where is the harm? Long as ammonia is converted the fish and corals will be safe.

 

[Lasse]

What I’m trying to say is I doubt the macro algae added will outcompete the bacteria to the point where the tank can’t cycle properly.

If you read my answer - I do not saying that - what I am saying is that you should not ad macro if there is no PO4 in the water - they will die if they not get PO4 - can´t survive on only NH4 or NO3.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Lousara1]

What I’m trying to say is I doubt the macro algae added will outcompete the bacteria to the point where the tank can’t cycle properly.

If you read my answer - I do not saying that - what I am saying is that you should not ad macro if there is no PO4 in the water - they will die if they not get PO4 - can´t survive on only NH4 or NO3.

Sincerely Lasse

Ah I see, I misread what you said. I agree with you if there isn’t any PO4 then the algae would struggle.

Have a good day :)

 

[courtneykeeps]

Add macroalgae as soon as you'd like.

 

[DaJMasta]

As early as you want. The bacteria will come whether you like it or not, if you're concerned about cycling speed it will be more to do with your starter rock/bacteria culture and the feeding the tank gets than whether or not there is macroalgae in it, but at the very least, it is safe to start with macroalgae as the first thing in, so it should be fine to add anywhere along the way.

If you let the macro take over before the corals, that could be a detriment, but with softies this would have to be a very substantial takeover to really prevent growth.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Bear in mind that to keep macroalgae in the display tank may limit the types of clean up crew you can use there and may make algae control more challenging. I love macroalgae, but any I add to my display is rapidly consumed.