I just set up a new 20 gallon high aquarium, and I'm attempting the dry start method with HC.
Specs: 96w t5ho on 10 hours (doubled the light fixtures for emmersed growth, once its submerged I'll go back down to 48w)
ADA amazonia aqua soil
6"x6" mat of HC, broken into clumps and placed in divots in aquasoil, water filled to just below top of substrate.
The HC is looking pretty rough at the moment, but I got it from the mail, and it traveled cross-country last week, so i expected some melting. but it appears to be getting worse, not healthier.
Also, set up my scape before I started, and I've got some funky fungus coming out of the manzanita I put in there... will add pics tomorrow. Is the fungus going to be a problem, and if so, how do I get rid of it?
Thanks for any help/insight you can provide!
Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
I got an acrylic cover for the tank, but while cutting it I cracked the cover. I figured this could act as a ventilation hole, so left it.
Link to full-rez pics, if you want a close-up.
Specs: 96w t5ho on 10 hours (doubled the light fixtures for emmersed growth, once its submerged I'll go back down to 48w)
ADA amazonia aqua soil
6"x6" mat of HC, broken into clumps and placed in divots in aquasoil, water filled to just below top of substrate.
The HC is looking pretty rough at the moment, but I got it from the mail, and it traveled cross-country last week, so i expected some melting. but it appears to be getting worse, not healthier.
Also, set up my scape before I started, and I've got some funky fungus coming out of the manzanita I put in there... will add pics tomorrow. Is the fungus going to be a problem, and if so, how do I get rid of it?
Thanks for any help/insight you can provide!
Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?



I got an acrylic cover for the tank, but while cutting it I cracked the cover. I figured this could act as a ventilation hole, so left it.

Link to full-rez pics, if you want a close-up.