Would I subtract an equivalent weight of flour from the straight dough to accommodate the stiff levain (I figured I would add the water that I normally add to the straight recipe to the levain to loosen it up first) ?
Whatever method you use, make sure you end up with the same amount of flour and water including levain as the original recipe. How you distribute those in the Levain and dough is up to you within reason.
Difference to the dough.
Would I subtract an equivalent weight of flour from the straight dough to accommodate the stiff levain (I figured I would add the water that I normally add to the straight recipe to the levain to loosen it up first) ?
Whatever method you use, make sure you end up with the same amount of flour and water including levain as the original recipe. How you distribute those in the Levain and dough is up to you within reason.
yes all what you said it's OK