Question of the Day Dry start method - any of you try it? Foolproof way to start a planted aquarium?

[Art]

Have you heard about the dry start method? I spoke about this way back on ScapeFu Episode 27.

From what I said back then:

Popularized by @plantbrain back in 2007, the Dry Start Method is intended to solve a problem people have with setting up an aquarium with tiny carpet plants. The problems are:

• These plants, like Hemianthus callitrichoides or HC, have tiny roots that are extremely difficult to plant.
• There’s a tendency to float when you flood the aquarium with water.
• HC also needs a lot of light and CO2 to grow well and carpet the aquarium bottom. Pressurized CO2, strong light and clear water are needed to get it established well in the aquarium. Not everyone can start with the right equipment and frequent water changes needed for clear water.
• Algae is a risk until HC really takes root.

The benefits are many:

• No algae
• No water changes/loose pieces floating around/being pulled up
• No replanting
• No cycling the aquarium
• No dosing
• No fiddling with CO2
• No having to buy a lot of plant material initially
• No transition from emergent to submersed states(some plants will, but with good CO2, this is greatly minimized)
• No extra electrical cost running other equipment during the dry phase.
• No labor
• Can do it outside in a tray even………

Tips:

1. Light for full 10–12 hours to power photosynthesis and growth.
2. Cover with cling wrap or glass or plastic. 100% for a few days then slowly peel corner.
3. Hills are OK but you may want to pre-saturate. In fact, always pre-saturate. No puddles!
4. Inert substrates will require liquid fertilizer. Dilute foliar fertilizer
5. Patience! Resist the urge to flood! Wait 3–6 weeks at least
6. When flooding, do 3–4 large 80%+ water changes to flush out substrate.
7. Mould or fungus – H2O2 1:4 with water or Excel straight up

Well, have you tried it? Willing to try it?

 

[Art]

Here is George Farmer's write up on the dry start method. Here is another good writeup on the dry start method.

 

[BigWave]

I've done it a few times. Works well for most species. I think its pretty much useless except for creating foreground carpets or in cases of using plants to anchor down the substrate for slopes. The plants are all grown terrestrially / immersed so when flooded it takes quite a while to transition over. If parameters are right they transition quickly but if not it takes quite a while. VS planting submerged from the start and getting the tank and plants that much more along in the cycle. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Art]

I think you're right. This is mostly done to get the foreground plants to grow quickly and establish deep roots. When the tank is flooded, the transition to submerged is shortened (and success increased) because of their root system. You also have a nice green carpet of plants instead of the polkadots of green.

Other plants don't really need this so I have only ever done this with foreground plants. I add the other plants and hardscape afterwards.