First attempt at dry start method

[Darren Carter]

Hi guys so I have decided to give the dry start method a go the tank is a aqua one cube 40x40x40cm all ways wanted a fully carpeted tank and I have been doing a lot of reading up on it so I decided when my male betta died to close the tank down and go for it so I brought a big 9l bag tropica aquarium soil some Monte Carlo pots and dwarf hair grass I’m reusing my dragon stone I also added some java moss to the rocks I’m using the fluval aquasky 2.0 light hope u guys like so far and any pointers would be helpful, also I normally use George farmers aquascaper ferts in my tanks I have been advised to add 1ml of fert to my mist bottle for when I mist the plants any advice on this

 

[Zeus.]

I used a 12hr potoperiod on my DSM with lights on max intensity which went well, I just misted with water no ferts. Your tank looks a little too wet IMO, better to keep the water level below the substrate level otherwise mould will set in. I did keep it wetter at first whilst the pants got going, did mine for 12weeks

 

[Darren Carter]

Hi Zeus thanks for your reply that’s how long I’m keeping the light on 12hr I set it up through the fluval smart app and turned all the settings up to 100% how often did u spray yours, I’m wondering if I should try remove some water and see

 

[Zeus.]

Sprayed it more at first and decreased over time even leaving the glass cover off (Hooded tank) at times to control the mould/algea.
Think I would try and remove some water with a syringe myself too

 

[tam]

If it's well sealed you'll be surprised how little spraying it needs. Only bit you'll need to watch is keep an eye the rocks don't go dry but I think they'll be okay. I don't spray my emersed growth at all! I'd second removing some water - soak it up with kitchen roll or similar. You don't need any standing water, just moisture.

 

[Zeus.]

I have plastic container in garden with a bit of water in, never spray or add ferts just stick a few trimming in every so often and MC doing fine

 

[Darren Carter]

Oh nice thanks guys I drained 2x 5ml syringes of water out of the substrate here’s some pics I really hope I can get it to work tho

 

[Lee iley]

I have plastic container in garden with a bit of water in, never spray or add ferts just stick a few trimming in every so often and MC doing fine

View attachment 117680

What do you do in winter with the box? And do you plan on putting the off cut into the tank? Do just throw them in the plastic box bit of water then close the lid?

 

[Zeus.]

Only started it earlier this year so hadn't thought much about winter, been a good little experiment, nearly zero effect and learnt from it.
Once the water was in just open lid, toss in cuttings, close lid done

 

[sparkyweasel]

My outdoor 'tropical' plants go into an unheated greenhouse for winter, it's surprising what can survive a bit of cold.Even a cloche or a growtunnel gives a lot of protection, worth a try to continue your experiment.

 

[Darren Carter]

Hi guys so a nearly week on tanks looking like this any advice some of the leafs are changing colour on the montecarlo does everything seem ok so far?

 

[Zeus.]

Looks good/better than a week ago, still a little on the wet side but the MC looks better.

Can you increase the light? beauty of the DSM with CO2 being 400ppm you can really bast the plants, I did 12hr photo period all lights on MAX.

 

[Darren Carter]

Ah ok the light is on the strongest I have another light I could put on as well to run both lights, the light at the moment is set to 100% it’s only 12w light

 

[Darren Carter]

It’s a lot bigger but it’s another light

 

[Zeus.]

it all helps

 

[Something Fishy]

As others said don’t make it ‘too’ wet without good air circulation daily. I’d take the cling film off for an hour or so each day so fresh air can get in.

Window sill for the win too it will boost growth nicely whilst we are still getting decent light periods.

I sprinkled some randomly badly cut Cuba in a dish with some cling film and Amazonia and watered it last week left it on the sill - came home to this tonight:

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[Darren Carter]

Hi guys sorry to post and ask again I’m over a week in to my dsm nearly two I have started to notice colour to the leafs black and light brown on some am I just panicking sorry to ask again

 

[Something Fishy]

Look fine to me mate. You’re bound to get die off as they adapt.

I’ve only ever tried just scattering them randomly as I’ve found roots take best this way to when dry.

That’s not to say you need to though keep misting and letting air in and you should be fine.


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[dw1305]

Hi all,

I have started to notice colour to the leafs black and light brown on some

It is because the shoot tips have lost water more quickly than they can replace it. The growing tips and edges of the leaves are furthest from the root, and are the first to show signs of distress. You could try adding a little bit of water back in to the tank.

It can also be because the air has become too dry, or it can be <"fertiliser burn"> etc..

cheers Darrel

 

[Darren Carter]

Ok I’m only watering the plants once a day and leaving it uncovered for an hour a day should I water more