[Raul-7]

I think people here are missing the point, the reason that for the last decade the mode of thinking has been to start a tank with fast growing stem plants. The reason for this was to control algae, nothing else. This line of thinking always suggested that in a new tank, particularly during the first 90 days, 70 to 90% of the tank space planted with fast growing stems would break in the tank and get it through the rough period of new tank syndrome. It is algae problems during this critical period that discourages most newbies.

So how do you guys alternatively deal with this issue if you do not start with stemmies?

That was my impression as well, starting with fast growing plants (which happen to be stem plants) to outcompete and avoid the initial algae onslaught.

I assume instead of stem plants you could use floating plants, especially if the submerged plants do not require that much light. I know Oliver Knott use Salvina sp. for this cause.