Adding Macro During Cycling

[Random Aquarist]

My tank will start cycling this weekend or next week. Can I add macroalgae to the LR while the tank is cycling? I think it would let the macroalgae grow a lot, and it might also speed up the cycling process. Has anyone grown macroalgae in a cycling tank?

 

[Steveabg]

I put some in my nano when it was cycling, and they did grow pretty well. The only problem is that now I'm fighting red slime and hair algae, and it grew on top of my macros, so I'm hoping that I can beat the problems without killing my macros.

 

[Random Aquarist]

So.....don't add macros until after cycling? Or is there something else that caused your red slime and hair algae?

Oh, BTW, I'm planning on using Chlorodesmis, which may or may not be affected by cyano or hair algae.

 

[Steveabg]

The macros didn't cause the slime, the slime can be just a normal part of the cycle. I'd say add macros, just make sure you stick to cheap ones, in case the normal cycling hair algae and what not overtakes them.

 

[Random Aquarist]

That's what I was trying to say: that cycling caused the algae.

I'll wait 'til after it's cycled. BTW, do I still need to have my lights on during cycling?

 

[Steveabg]

Someone else may have a more expert opinion than me, but what I did was to run the actinics 24 hours a day for the first two weeks, then increased the full spectrum lights by one hour each day, while reducing the actinics by one hour, until the lights got to where I wanted them. It worked really nicely, and I had brown hair algae after only a few days, which then went away quickly. The hair algae I have now is possibly bryopsis, which I wouldn't think was a result of the lighting methods, probably just came in on some rock, and then spread. I got a lettuce nudibranch and he's happily chowing away at it.