DSM, Dry start method for starting a new planted tank

**Shadow** · 21st Oct 2013, 15:22

easier way is to inject CO2 during direct sun light hour

**myhui** · 22nd Oct 2013, 03:39

Originally Posted by Shadow

easier way is to inject CO2 during direct sun light hour

Well, sure, that is one way.

But I want to try my best to get the low tech method to work in a scientific manner.

**myhui** · 22nd Oct 2013, 09:15

Or I can cheat and put in a few drops of Flourish Excel at maximum sun brightness every day.

**Shadow** · 22nd Oct 2013, 11:26

you can add translucent curtain to partially block the sun light.

**myhui** · 22nd Oct 2013, 11:28

Even better ... use those electrically controlled window coatings that change opacity depending on control voltage.

**happydanio123** · 12th Apr 2016, 10:17

Just as a question, where did you buy those driftwood in the photograph? I want to start a carpeted tank and might be looking for driftwood the size and texture as those.

**Plantbrain** · 12th Apr 2016, 12:01

FYI, my climate is warmer than SG. It gets 45C here. I've grown it in full open sun, needs watered daily, but just letting you all know, even with no cover etc.

Mold= too much humidity, do not cover it, just mist a few times a day.
After a week or so, the roots should take.

Generally, I do not use this method myself for aquariums, I do stone penjing displays however.
It works, but does NOT save you from algae later on after you flood things. If you use non CO2 methods, then this might speed things up more.

**Plantbrain** · 12th Apr 2016, 12:02

Originally Posted by happydanio123

Just as a question, where did you buy those driftwood in the photograph? I want to start a carpeted tank and might be looking for driftwood the size and texture as those.

Eel River, USA. It's Western Cedar, good luck finding something like that again.
I use mostly manzanita.

Shipping to SG is very $$$$ from the USA.

Cheaper to buy across the border and bring back.

**Jetxx** · 22nd Mar 2020, 11:40

Hi @Plantbrain, thanks for the detailed guide you have posted! I'm currently at my second DSM, the first one failed terribly and I'm halfway through before I found your post. Can I get some advise from you?

My first DSM substrate was water logged and I was misting it as other guides recommended.. when string mould started appearing, I panicked and flooded it. Then.. halfway through flooding, half of them broke free from their roots and I felt something was amiss. Pulled the rest out and found out their roots were all covered in mould and mushy..

Second DSM I did it like this:

Misted the substrate till its damp, but not water logged

Ditched the cling wrap

Misted it 2 times a day to simulate rain at the same time ensuring it's not water logged

Result:

Mould still happened..

And I just flooded it 1 week into the DSM..

Now my plants are having some melt, with some dying leaves having mould/bba on them..

What would you recommend me to do at this point?

My tank set up:

1 foot tank, about 10L

HOB filter

Air stone for more air dissolving in the water

Substrate is Tropica - 2-4mm beads

No co2, but have flourish excel

Plants, all tissue culture from Tropica:

Rotala bonsai

Hair grass mini

Monte carlo

Tank is situated in Singapore, non air con living room.
I'm looking at starting another 26L tank with DSM.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

**torque6** · 23rd Mar 2020, 11:35

Plantbrain hasn't posted anything for more than 4 years now. If you want to contact him, try UKAPS or planted forum USA or barrreport.com

Your's is small 10L tank. Just fill water up to almost substrate level and plant, then cover with wrap with 10 hours light. Leave it be for 60 days. I did mine last time and I didn't even bother to mist. It grew fine.