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b'Dry Start Method - 7 Tips for Success | ScapeFu027 What is the Dry Start Method? Popularized by Tom Barr 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\\u2019s 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. From Tom\\u2019s article, the benefits of the dry start method are: 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\\u2026\\u2026\\u2026 Dry Start Method: 7 Tips for Success Tips: Light for full 10\\u201312 hours to power photosynthesis and growth. Cover with cling wrap or glass or plastic. 100% for a few days then slowly peel corner. Hills are OK but you may want to pre-saturate. In fact, always pre-saturate. No puddles! Inert substrates will require liquid fertilizer. Dilute foliar fertilizer Patience! Resist the urge to flood! Wait 3\\u20136 weeks at least When flooding, do 3\\u20134 large 80%+ water changes to flush out substrate. Mould or fungus - H2O2 1:4 with water or Excel straight up Not everyone thinks the dry start method is the bomb. Niko\\u2019s post on APC for example. He suggests an ebb and flow system. Focus on You Five star iTunes Review! Yay! The Best! by A_single_non from Australia \\u201cArt has come a long way since starting the podcast. He does a good job and is the only current podcast related to aquascaping. Keep it up! I really enjoy them and have listened to all of them.\\u201d Barry from South Africa Hi Art. Thank you for allowing me to become a member of ScapeFu. I\\u2019ve been an avid \\u2019scaper for about ten years now and find your site to be very informative and easy to navigate around. your articles are not only relevant and packed with good practical advice, but easy to understand as well. I found the WabiKusa article very informative and a few tips that I will definitely try on my next one. Rob Hi guys, Just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for all of the work you do to share your experience and wisdom. I know the podcast/website is a ton of work to keep going, and is more of a labor of love for you instead of a revenue stream. One thought for topics - let\\u2019s help a newbie segment HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! We would love it if you could please share this episode with your Facebook Followers. We don\\u2019t advertise so this is the only way we have to get the word out about The ScapeFu Podcast. If you like what you\\u2019ve heard, please go to iTunes and rate, review and subscribe to the ScapeFu Podcast. It\\u2019s the easiest way to make sure you don\\u2019t miss an episode. They will be downloaded automatically to your device to listen to at your convenience. Ways to Subscribe to the ScapeFu Podcast Subscribe via iTunes Subscribe via RSS Subscribe via Stitcher (Andriod) Feedback We\\u2019d love to hear from you about today\\u2019s topic or anything else. How can we help you? The easiest way to reach us is via email. Art is at art@scapefu.com, JJ is at jj@scapefu.com and Jurijs is at JS@scapefu.com. Links Mentioned in This Episode and Additional Resources Tom Barr\\u2019s Original Article on the Dry Start Method Nice Tutorial on the Dry Start Method Old Emails on Emersed Growth from the Aquatic Plant Digest Another How To Tom\\u2019s Post in Aquatic Quotient with pictures Tips When Flooding Mold When Dry Starting George Farmer on the Dry Start Method George Farmer\\u2019s One-Pot Iwagumi Challenge Nice Write-up on Dry Start Method'