75 Gallon Planted Tank Dry Start Method

HI guys,

Just want to document what I am going to do with my 75 gallon tank. I will upfupd this thread with daily pictures.

1) The tank is the Marineland 75 gallon ensemble

2) substrate is soil (Marical-Gro Nature's Care Organic Potting Mix because the MG Organic Choice Potting Mix is discoutinued) gravel, sand and Mexican Beach Pebble buttons

3) Monte Carlos

Update 8/13 - the Monte Carlos weren't looking good. However they are growing new leaves.

Day one



8/7



8/12



8/13 There are lots of moisture on the glass. I can't take a clear picture today. There are 3 new leaves on that one spot now.



8/21 the Monte Carlos are growing. I have to switch the camera angle to bird's-eye view.



8/27 things are still going well.



8/29 looks like I am starting to have runners.



9/19 the Monte Carlos are growing really slowly they are coming in.



10/12 it's been over two months since I have started this dry start tank. I think my gravel top layer might be too thick. Was expecting the Monte Carlos to grow faster. However things are still growing. Maybe another month. The below pic had some Monte Carlos planted in from another section of the tank.



This picture is of the whole tank. I have been slowly moving plants into the tank.


10/23 very minor changes to the Monte Carlos.

 

Be cautious of your potting mix. It may contain herbicides. It causes big problemsfor reptile keepers/breeder’s and kills off entire collections. I would assume it may not be the best choice for fish ether. I would read over it to make sure it doesn’t contain anything harmful, just because it says “organic” doesn’t really mean all that much.

 

Be cautious of your potting mix. It may contain herbicides. It causes big problemsfor reptile keepers/breeder’s and kills off entire collections. I would assume it may not be the best choice for fish ether. I would read over it to make sure it doesn’t contain anything harmful, just because it says “organic” doesn’t really mean all that much.

I read the ingredients and didn't see anything that strike me as herbalcide. However I am no expert. So it is possible that I just don't know what I am reading. Is it known that what I've used is made with herbicide? Thanks for taking the time to tell me about it.

 

I read the ingredients and didn't see anything that strike me as herbalcide. However I am no expert. So it is possible that I just don't know what I am reading. Is it known that what I've used is made with herbicide? Thanks for taking the time to tell me about it.

Can you post a picture of the bag it’s in? I can check around and see what I can find. It’s never concerned me before until recently a (experienced) tarantula keeper told me he had his entire collection killed off because he used an organic soil that contained herbicide.

 

Just updated with a new picture. Things are going pretty good.

 

Just updated with a new picture. Things are going pretty good.

Another update. Not much seem to have changed in the last 6 days. Things seem to be good though.

 

It's been 20 days since my last update. The Monte Carlos are coming in and it's a little bit thicker. Another month or so and I should have a carpet.

 

It’s looking good! Keep it updated can’t wait to see how this all turns out.

 

New update on 10/12

 

Looks like I can only upload 10 pictures on my orginaor post. So the next time I update I will post the pictures as a reply.

Here is a side view

 

I love this set up, it’s so unique! I’m excited to see how it goes

 

I am giving up on growing a Monte Carlos carpet via the Dry Start Method. Things are taking way too long. So it's probably not going to happen unless change things up.

I semI flooded the tank and started using API CO2 Booster last night. Put a male and female Bettas in the tank. I will keep everyone updated.

Also I am going to get a Marineland canister filter tomorrow.

 

I have used 2 different organic potting mixes under sand with no issues because I couldn’t find the Miracle Gro kind.

What’s the dry start method? Just filling to the top of the substrate?

 

The dry start method is using soil and just moist your tank for about 8 weeks. This allow your carpeting plants to grow without the use of CO2. After your carpeting plants are grown you can then flood your tank and introduce fish.

 

Installed the canister filter this morning. On top of that I am using the filter and 4 gallons of water from an established tank. Hope to have the tank cycled soon.

 

It's been a week since I have flooded the tank and started using CO2 boost. The tank is still a little brackish. However the Monte Carlos have grown a significant amount.

 

It's been 4 weeks since I've flooded the tank and put the fishes in. Happy to report that they are all doing well. So the Marical-Gro Nature's Care Organic Potting Mix is safe for fish.

Also the CO2 boost is working. The Monte Carlos is growing but I am not getting the pearling effort.

I have also introduced my male Betta (the original fish that started my aquarium keeping habby) to the tank. He isn't bothering the other 4 female Bettas. I see the two old females fallowing him around from time to time.

Current occupants:
1 male Betta
4 female bettas
1 spotted catfish
10 zebra danios
4 black mollies
3 Otocinclus
8+ platies (4 adults and they are having babies)
1 nerite snail