Using dark start method for my next aquascape

[maverick786us]

I am planning to use dark start for my next aqua scape. Based on my experience especially with carpet grass like Monte Carlo (and now pearl weed in my latest aquascape) these plants start melting in a newly established tank and burring these plants too deep rots the plant.
I know frequently changing water every day can eliminate this problem. But changing water has its own cons. The plants start floating before they can establish their roots.
Do you think dark start method would eliminate this problem of plants getting melted?

 

[Cornelius]

Instead of a darkstart I would choose for a drystart.
99% success rate

 

[maverick786us]

Instead of a darkstart I would choose for a drystart.
99% success rate

Sounds good. But the plants that extract nutrients from water, how do those plants get it when its dry?

 

[Cornelius]

If you are going to use MC as carperingplant I assume you are using an aquasoil.
That is where the plant gets its nutrients from.

If you have an inert soil (like gravel/ sand) the dry start would be very difficult, and is a dark start perhaps a better option.

 

[maverick786us]

Yes I will use aqua soil for background, mid ground and carpet plants. I will also have sand in the front to make it look like a river in front of jungle. But I will plenty of rhizome plants like Anubias, Ferns, Buce Phelendra on the hardscape and river rocks. These are the plants that won't get nutrients until the tank is filled with water

 

[Cornelius]

First ceate a carpet by a drystart,
and when it is fully grown add the rest of the plants and then fill the tank.
Works great

 

[maverick786us]

Thank you

 

[maverick786us]

If you are going to use MC as carperingplant I assume you are using an aquasoil.
That is where the plant gets its nutrients from.

If you have an inert soil (like gravel/ sand) the dry start would be very difficult, and is a dark start perhaps a better option.

My experience with Monte Carlo was worst. I will use Cryptocoryne Parva and littlebit of dwarf hair grass as carpet

 

[Cornelius]

My experience with Micranthemum Montecarlo (tweediei) and with Hemianthus callitrichoides Cuba are always great.
There is just no better or more efficient way to create a nice full grown carpet.

And a pro-tip: just place the stems flat on the soil. Roots will appear from the stem itself to settle in the soil.

 

[maverick786us]

What is your opinion on dwarf hair grass? I won't use it cover the entire carpet. Just a small section.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

... But I will plenty of rhizome plants like Anubias, Ferns, Buce Phelendra on the hardscape and river rocks. These are the plants that won't get nutrients until the tank is filled with water ...

... If you have an inert soil (like gravel/ sand) the dry start would be very difficult,

You can spray on a very dilute solution of liquid feed.

This was @G H Nelson's <"Journal - Bucephalandra/Crypt Bins!">, @Courtneybst's <"Buce Box (How to easily propagate Bucephalandra and other emersed plants)"> and @Wookii , @Zeus., @AverageWhiteBloke and @foxfish have all done similar.

Personally I'd actually prefer to start with an inertish medium, it gets around any, potential, issues of <"fertiliser burn">, particularly <"with Aroids"> and ferns.

Have a look at <"Andys HC propagator step by step"> and <"Small Shrimp Tanks"> (<"https://dianawalstad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shrimprcs2023.pdf">) linked in <"And so it begins...">.

cheers Darrel