Having problems with dry-start. (pics)

[Indignation]

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.

 

[Tom Barr]

Mist often, give it time.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Indignation]

Mist often, give it time.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Thanks for the input Tom. I'm in an odd situation, as I work for 48 hours straight (Emergency Services), so I'm unavailable to mist the tank for 2 days.

I placed a large mason jar full of water in the tank, and am running an airstone in it, to hopefully increase the ambient humidity. Is this a viable alternative to misting? If not, could you recommend something?

Also, I've seen you recommend misting with tank water. As I don't have another tank up and running at the moment, is it alright to use tap water, dechlorinated with Prime?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Tom Barr]

Dechlor tap is fine, yes, the aeration idea is fine.

Allow the system to dry out a tad also.

Stops fungi etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr