Dry start - feeling a bit confused ...

[peaches]

About 3 weeks ago I put some fluval shrimp stratum in a hexagonal tank, arranged my rockscape, planted some dwarf hairgrass and got some craft mesh and wrapped phoenix moss around it. I wanted to go for dry start, so I put in just enough water to cover the substrate, but as this is higher at the back, the front bit has more water than the back. The dwarf hairgrass is doing fine, looks good. The phoenix moss isnt growing much, but when I add a little more water the mats of craft mesh start to float. I am trying to weight them down with bits of substrate, but I was hoping it would grab onto the top layer of substrate somehow. Perhaps I shouldnt have bothered with the craft mesh, but I thought the moss would just float away if not.

I covered the top with cling film and I use my lights for 12 hours a day.

There is a musty smell when I open the cling film. Is this a problem and will I get mould?

Any ideas what to do to stop the moss floating off?

How long should I give it before submerging it?

(Sorry but I feel a bit out of my depth)

 

[Tom]

If it is a clay based substrate it will absorb moisture, so no need to completely cover with water. There should be no standing water, it should just be damp.

 

[peaches]

Thank you Tom, I dont know if it is clay based or not but can check. So you suggest I take out a little of the water?

 

[Tom]

Yes, you want it damp but no puddles. I've had good emersed success with the Fluval plant Stratum, so hopefully you'll be OK. Not sure how the shrimp version is composed though, it may not have much in the way of nutrients.