Dry Start Method - Would it Work in SW?

[Raul-7]

There's a method that is popular in the FW planted community called the DSM - dry start method. It involves setting up all the hardscape, substrate and keep the aquarium unfilled for 2-4 months. During this time the aquarium is sealed but the humidity is kept at 90-100% [misting is commonly applied to keep it high], off gassing is done for 15-30 minutes a day by removing the lid. The aquarium is filled with plants and enough water to cover the substrate.

The goal with this is to give the plants enough time to gain a foothold and grow robust enough to avoid the 'ugly phase' that is common with new aquariums.

Now could this same method be applied with SW and using macro-algae instead of plants? Upon filling and once the macroalgae is robust enough, they could slowly be replaced with coral overtime. Do you think it would help avoid the 'ugly phase' and algae from taking over during the early phase?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There are lots of ways to start tanks. That way would work (and could be filled with water) but seems cumbersome as you’ll need to somehow supply those macroalgae with N and P and they will then be in the display. If a macro filled tank is the goal, there’s no need to cycle at all, IMO.

Easier for a normal setup would just be to get a refugium going, which is the same principle but macroalgae not in the display.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Hi, using this technique would most likely kill your algae and unnecessary in my view, macro algae’s are much different from the plants you are used to work with, firstly they don’t have roots instead they have rhizomes and holdfast and some neither.
You will find that most fragments available will have to be superglued in place similar to how you would attach moss to a piece of deadwood.

With the above you can actually add them at any time you wish, I usually recommend to add them after the diatom bloom as it may kill some with the reduced photosynthesis.
They do help avoiding the growth of nuisance algae’s such as green hair algae from there the plan of replacing them with coral over time sounds solid.

 

[Raul-7]

There are lots of ways to start tanks. That way would work (and could be filled with water) but seems cumbersome as you’ll need to somehow supply those macroalgae with N and P and they will then be in the display. If a macro filled tank is the goal, there’s no need to cycle at all, IMO.

Easier for a normal setup would just be to get a refugium going, which is the same principle but macroalgae not in the display.

Well the whole concept behind the DSM is that CO2 is the limiting factor in underwater photosynthesis yet it is plentiful in air. Hence by keep the aquarium semi-moist for 2-4 months you allow the plants to have all the benefits [macros/micros] without any drawbacks.

Couldn't you just supplement the NPK manually via dosing during the 'dry phase'?