Cheato during cycle

[Solstice]

I picked up some cheato off of a local reefer. I wasn't originally planning on adding it so soon, but he needed to get rid of it, I was in the neighborhood and it was free. Will it's presence extend the length of the cycle? Should I pull it out and put it in a bucket until the cycle is complete?

Thanks!

[KarlBob]

Good question. How much chaeto are we talking about?

Unless it's a huge bundle of chaeto, I doubt it would be enough to damp out the cycle and extend the time required. Any critters living in the chaeto will contribute ammonia to the cycling process.

[Solstice]

Not too much. I could squeeze it all into one hand. I believe that cheato mainly consumes nitrates so if bacteria break ammonia into nitrites, other bacteria break nitrites into nitrates and the nitrates just hang around to be consumed by the cheato I should still be ok, but wanted some expert opinions. :)

[Fluid]

Throw it in!

[WaterKeeper]

Agree, adding chaeto to a cycling tank will not increase the cycle period in any way.