Starting up my fuge (1 Viewer)

[Sea-Agg09]

I'm starting up both my tanks now, so I am trying to plan a timeline for everything.

I want to start growing macro in my fuge, but I don't want to pull nutrients out from the cycle. I'm doing a fishless cycle, so things are slow as it is. When is a good time to start growing macro?

Also, I'm looking for some perspective mangrove trees. I really like the look of them, and I have a good 2-3 feet under my tank for it to grow. I just want to know if it is worth it.

 

[HorseyStripe]

i'd say just let it cycle with the macro in there...but i have no basis for this statement other than my thoughts...doesn't seem logical to me to keep it out...

 

[r_jay]

MACRO NOW! lol caps just for effect. Macro is tough and it will also help the water CO2/O2-wise etc plus get some pods growing in there!

I JUST got my mangroves and they are already budding nicely, they def. won't hurt anything.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

I thought i was reading about a week ago that macro helps the cycle. I'll have to research the threads. Seems like llama was speaking on the subject.

 

[Llama]

It wasn't me rocket, but macro will not hurt.

The nutrients being consumed by the macro are not nutrients you want in the tank at any time. Nitrate (one of the nutrients macro consumes) is the final product of your nitrogen cycle. This is also the main product that we remove via water changes.

However, when a tank goes through it's cycle nitrate is not present immediately. It will take some time for the process to complete, which means you will have very little (if any) macro growth as the tank cycles. The macro will however provide a great home for all the pods and critters to start colonizing.

In my opinion you can't go wrong with adding macro at any stage in your tank maturity.

 

[soymilk]

NO!!!! No macros yet!

















Just kidding. +1 to what llama said. I'm bored at work. I just threw a bunch of macros into my frag tank I just set up. A few squirts of super stank juice from my skimmer cup on my main tank to start the cycle.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

It wasn't me rocket, but macro will not hurt.

llama. you made me dig, but I found what i was looking for.


Llama
Post subject:
....Nothing wrong with tossing some macro in during cycle though! I'd go for caulerpa rather than chaeto though. The faster growth/nutrient uptake would be a bonus.
_________________


Above excerpt was taken from :

http://www.marshreef.com/modules.ph...ostdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=try&start=0

 

[Llama]

Hey hey! Ok, it was me then!

As a side note since I may have been a bit intoxicated when posting that. Caulerpa should only be used if you are fully prepared to handle it. It is a beast of a macro in many ways. It can cansume nutrients faster than any other in our aquaria hobby. HOWEVER, it has a few dark sides that can really screw things up for you if not kept in check. 24 hr lighting on it seems to be the key, along with frequent pruning while being careful that small pieces don't make their way into your display. Some people really hate this stuff.

That being said... I use it and love it!