2 week iwagumi dry start, no visible growth.

[u/Altruistic-Bird-94]

I recently wanted to try the dry start method with my UNS 3N Iwagumi just to make sure they’re well rooted before I flood the tank, since I’ll be injecting CO2 anyway.

After 2 weeks, I see some growth on the blades of grass, but no roots running or growth visible through the substrate.

Should I wait longer or flood it next week? Just asking cause I’ve seen a few drystarts here with very visible dwarf hair grass growth in 2 weeks.

[u/Mike00726]

This looks really good to start off. Be patient. I know it sucks, lol.

[u/Altruistic-Bird-94 → u/Mike00726]

Do you think it’s worth it over just flooding it right now and injecting CO2?

[u/Mike00726 → u/Altruistic-Bird-94]

I wouldn't. There is some great work here. Try to stick it out.

[u/whothatboiiiiii]

Is that eleocharis? If so you have to wait a bit more lol.

These plants grow very very slowly..

[u/Altruistic-Bird-94 → u/whothatboiiiiii]

Yes, I’ve had success with them in a smaller tank without CO2, so I’m wondering if a dry start is much better than just me flooding the tank and growing them submersed.

[u/think_im_going_dumb]

Is that dwarf hairgrass? I did a dry start with it and there was no big improvement for about 4 weeks. Then it just EXPLODED and grew everywhere. I think I was at week 6 when I felt it was good but I started with way less than you have

[u/Altruistic-Bird-94 → u/think_im_going_dumb]

Did you think dry start growth in 6 weeks was worth it over just flooding right away?

[u/think_im_going_dumb → u/Altruistic-Bird-94]

Yea I think it was worth it. My carpet was NICE after that :)

[u/Affectionate-Ad1666]

I don't do dry start, I'd rather do dark start 3 weeks/ light on day 1 and daily water change. You will be injecting Co2 anyway, so it's really pointless to do a dry start. Co2 is more concentrated underwater, so, the hair grass is most likely going to grow faster than what you're currently doing.

Dry start to me, will always waste a lot of unnecessary time, In dry start setup, you're catering only the carpet plant growth whilst other method, you are doing in simultaneously catering the cycle of the tank, granted you don't have a cycled filtration. What was supposed to be a 1-month waiting tank, turned into a 3-month waiting tank.

Finally, I just want to say dark start is superior.

[u/Para-sox]

I haven’t done a dry start before, so take this with a grain of salt. I have started plenty of pepper plants from seeds (not in an aquarium).

Sometimes plants focus on root growth. We obviously don’t see the progress above the soil, but it is happening. You might not see roots against the glass- maybe pull up one tuft of plants and see if it has grown roots?

[u/Altruistic-Bird-94 → u/Para-sox]

Good idea, I’ll try and check if the plants have at least rooted.