Looking for thread/guide on dry start HC tank

CookieM said:

I'm planning to start a long 5 gallon tank about half the height of a regular 10 gal tank.

I want to do HD carpet only using ADA soil. This will of course going to be slow and take up to 2 months.

I don't want to inject CO2 since it will be a garden for my SS CRS. So looking to do dry start.

I search and found couple dry start threads but none is specific about how to start one.

My questions are:

1. Lighting (I'm using Fugeray 24" Led/Moon light) good to start? Led save electricity

2. Using microwave wrap to cover the top for humidity vs acrylic?

3. How do plants exchange CO2 if it covered up? Do I have to inject CO2 regularly in there to promote growth?

4. If I do have to inject CO2 or using liquid CO2 at dry start, when filled up later will it be safe for CRS?

Thanks

Click to expand...

By reading your questions and I am seeing that you have the right concept but you have to remember that Co2 is a food source for plants the is the main source of food for plants. All the no2, potassium, phos, and micro nutrients are basically a growth product for the plant. Mostly all plants in take Co2 and turn it into oxygen. Humans to the opposite so do fish shrimp mammal well you get my point. Co2 is took into the plant to reproduce more leaves more leaves more co2 is took in.

Now lighting is another big key to to making a plant grow no light plant don't wake up to eat or drink. Causing it to die. It seems you have a great light gonna be enough for your 5 gallon. Remember 2-3 watts per gallon. That's the guide.

Now here is how you dry start moisten your soil. Plant your hc and add real little water to the soil so your don't have worry about watering your plants. Spray your glass and setup a co2 kit. Puncture a hole into the Saran Wrap and insert your co2 line. Set your co2 system to turn on 8 hrs when you lights go on. And boom watch your plants grow. I could be a little more detailed but that's the best I could do