Nano dry start

Will definitely follow this link. I have seen the dsm used on other forums and think it is the bomb. What photoperiod are you using ? Some guys were up to 14 hrs !

This will definitely be my next tank setup so watching it closely...

 

@ Milsky,I've had the lights going for 8 hours a day for the last 3 weeks,but today I changed it to 12 hours,so we'll see how it goes from now on.

 

Hey Rudi this was the interesting thing for me.... no algae concerns given the obvious lack of water...seems like you can supercharge the setup...definately the way to go for my next build.

 

@ Milsky,I run my other 2 tanks on 12 hour photo period as well and don't have algae concerns nor am I scared of algae.Non of the methods I use,be it lighting,ferts or Co2 are used for algae control.It is for good plant growth only.
The DSM is not to control or prevent algae,it is done to give the plants a much better rooting start before flooding the tank.The plants can take full advantage of atmospheric Co2 and light without limitations.When the plants have rooted successfully,the eventual flooding will have no effect on the plants,i.e. the plants will not melt during the transition from emersed to immersed form.
Another bonus is the fact that the tank will be completely cycled without using any fish,ammonia or bacteria additives or even a filter.:noworry:

 

Aah ... From the Tom Barr scool of thought methinks.. Any plans for some other plants in this nano ? Seedlings whilst in dsm or only when you flood the tank..

 

Probably the only guy that speaks sense and in a language I understand.No scientific mumbo jumbo only a intellectual can understand.
I will be adding stems when I flood the tank.

 

This is not a update but more like a announcement.
I will have to keep the tank in a dry state for another month.Why?
I only now noticed the stand I'm using is way to weak to support the full weight of the tank.I'll have to build a new stand.
I also decided to DIY a light pennant.
I will be putting up the photos of the DIY projects.

Rudi

 

nice.. goin to look great

 

Another month because it's not covered??
(Just teasing you Rudi!)

 

Hey,don't start,I feel like a @@s not noticing this before I set up the tank.But it gives me some time to build the pennant.:bigsmile:

 

Its looking good Rudi! looking forward to the end result!

 

Did this tank complete its dry start? I would like to see what it looks like now...

 

@ryanj252,
Sorry to report this project failed miserably.
Believe it or not,I had to much water in the tank.
But I'll chalk this up as another lesson learned and file it away for the future.

 

Sorry to be a nuisance now, but how can there be to much water if the plants are normally grown completely submerged with hundreds of liters of water? I dont understand...

 

@ryanj252,
The concept of a "dry start" is to start the aquarium off virtually dry,or with out water.We would plant our more difficult plants at this stage,Cryptocoryne,Glosso,H.C.,ect.Idealy what you will end up having is your substrate of choice,your hardscape,rocks or driftwood,in place and then the plants planted where you want them.
The substrate moist but not wet,if that makes sense.This is where I faulted.
The tank is covered with a plastic sheet or cling film,to raise the humidity.Very important.
A light source is fitted.
And then we wait.

Like I said I had to much water in the tank,the substrate was wet and not just moist.I subsequently had a cyanobacteria outbreak that smothered all the plants.Nothing I could do about it.

This a very slow way to start a aquarium,but well worth the effort and time.

 

Oh. I understand now. And what are the advantages (scientifically) of a dry start?

 

@ryanj252,
When we do a "dry start",we are in effect growing the plants emersed.
The advantages are numerous;
#1 The plants have the advantage of atmospheric Co2.Usually Co2 is limited in a non Co2 aquarium.
#2 You can pile on the lights without the fear of algae.(That is if you prepare the substrate correctly,and not like mine, that is.)
#3 Most plants we by at the LFS has been grown emersed.When introduced in to a aquarium that's flooded,full of water,the plant will undergo a transformation from emersed conditions to submersed conditions.The plants will start loosing their emersed leaves and replace them with submersed leaves.Many plants start to "melt" at this stage,this is very common in Cryptocoryne and is referred to as Cryptmelt.
In a dry start the emersed grown plants have time to stabilize,acclimate and regrow their roots.This is very important.When we eventually flood the tank,the transformation still occurs,but is not nearly as dramatic or stressful to the plant because the plant has already grown strong roots.The new,submersed growth,forms quickly and often with little or no melting.
#4 In a dry start your substrate,while moist,not wet,will start it's own nitrogen cycle.Terrestrial bacteria starts to die in the anaerobic conditions,resulting in ammonia.Ammonia to nitrite,nitrite to nitrate.By the time we flood the tank,the substrate is cycled and fish can be introduced immediately,although slowly.The plants will also have access to the ammonia and eventually the nitrate,a source of nitrogen,fertilizer.
#5 Difficult plants like glosso,H.C. and Crypts and many others,hair grass,lilaeopsis,stem plants,etc. can be grown successfully this way.
#6 You can set this up and leave it to grow,in the meantime,you can save up for the more expensive equipment,a nice light pennant or a new external filter or a pressurized Co2 system.

These are a few advantages.

 

Wow! Thanx alot. I will then be dry starting my next tank.
Thanx Rudi

 

dude, check Tom Barr's dry start:

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/foru...-start-method-for-starting-a-new-planted-tank

sorry to hi-jack this thread abit rudi