How long after I put water in the tank can I add plants?
I have added plants immediately. Like synden said they are not as sensative as corals.
Is there a freshwater cycle?
Yes there is a freshwater cycle. Usually there is a bacterial bloom which makes the water cloudy for a while then clears up.
Do the same rules apply for salt such as RODO the best water, water change rules, etc?
Water changes are as synden said. You don't have to unless something is wrong. I have 2 completely planted and one partially planted tank and I haven't done a water change in either in probably 3 months on the fully planted and 6 months on the partially planted one. They tend to take care of themselves once you have them dialed in.
Is there micro fauna in freshwater that help clean your tank like pods?
This is the fuzzy part. Theoretically plants should take up all the nutrients in the water to control algae. This is a fine balancing act. My partially planted one is awesome no algae at all good plant growth how I did it I have no clue. Fully planted some hair algae growth just pull out excess when I top off water.
But when I want to know if the tap water in Aurora is good enough to put right in the tank (as suggested by the LFS) I would like to bounce that off some local experts first
I would highly suggest using a planting substrate. This is what I used in both my completely planted tanks.
https://www.google.com/search?q=eco...Qsxg&biw=360&bih=567#spd=10239237439346677345
Tap is good in Aurora I can attest I live there just have to use a de chlorinator. Use the ro waste water (I still dechlorinate) that's what I do sometimes no I'll effects.
Do you know what kind of plants you want?
What filter?
How big a tank?
What kind of fish?
Do you want to keep shrimp? If so don't use excel like synden said it has copper in it.
I have pics of my planted tank on this forum check it out.