HC dry start with excel OD after filling

[rygar126]

Has anybody had any success with this? I plan on doing an Iwagumi style 3 gallon nano with HC emerged to get a decent root system. Im going to use a 12" finnex fugeray with the fluval stratum substrate. I know that I have to avoid excess moisture so I can avoid algae blooms. After filling im going to double the dose of excel daily along with flourish and KNO3 supplementation since HC loves KNO3.

[somewhatshocked]

Not sure I'd double up on Excel for any reason.

That said, if you're doing a dry start and allowing the HC to grow all the way in, you should have very little issue once you flood your tank.

With that much lighting, you should probably consider using actual CO2 - DIY or pressurized and regularly EI dosing along with root tabs, since Fluval Stratum contains next to nothing for plants. (You'd also want to use root tabs during your dry start)

[CPDzeke]

I think he means Fluval Plant Stratum, which I don't think is useless for plants. I have a jungle in a tank with only gravel and mulm as a substrate.
Also, check out this thread.

[somewhatshocked]

Fluval Shrimp Stratum and Fluval Plant Stratum are the same thing - plant version is just a bit larger. There's not much useful for plants and root tabs will be necessary to grow much of anything for longer than a month or two.

[rygar126]

hey thanks for your replies guys! if i dont see any growth with the mist/flourish mix then I'll add the root tabs. here's some pics of my setup

[rygar126]

Originally Posted by CPDzeke

I think he means Fluval Plant Stratum, which I don't think is useless for plants. I have a jungle in a tank with only gravel and mulm as a substrate.
Also, check out this thread.

I actually checked that out. good thread. i will try not to stay away from excess moisture to avoid algae and mold.

[rygar126]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

Not sure I'd double up on Excel for any reason.

That said, if you're doing a dry start and allowing the HC to grow all the way in, you should have very little issue once you flood your tank.

With that much lighting, you should probably consider using actual CO2 - DIY or pressurized and regularly EI dosing along with root tabs, since Fluval Stratum contains next to nothing for plants. (You'd also want to use root tabs during your dry start)

I was thinking of using the fluval 88 if the plants dont react to the excel/flourish/KNO3. i know it doesnt last long in bigger tanks but I think it'll be perfect for my 3 gallon.

[CPDzeke]

Plant roots easily penetrate and spread throughout the substrate, allowing plants to obtain a variety of key nutrients that will make them flourish.

From the fluval site.

[somewhatshocked]

Having used the substrate for years (also, feel free to do some forum searches or see my myriad tanks for evidence), there's next to nothing that's useful in Fluval Stratum.

It's a nice substrate on the cheap, though, if it's available locally or when free shipping is involved.