Avoid Algae & Melting Plants in Aquarium | DARK START METHOD

In Part 3 of this UNS 60U build series, it's time to flood the tank and initiate the Dark Start! The Dark Start Method is an aquarium starting technique that builds up beneficial bacteria and cycles the soil. I'll walk you through the theory behind this technique, as well as provide a step by step guide for running it.

This Aquarium's Playlist:

WHERE I GET PLANTS & EQUIPMENT:

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro & What We'll Cover
00:21 - The Theory
01:11 - Dark Start Vs Day 1 Planting
01:35 - Step 1: Hardscape
01:47 - Step 2: Set Up Filtration
01:56 - Step 3: Flood the Tank
02:21 - Step 4: Turn the Light Off
02:29 - The Benefits
03:07 - Lighting
03:26 - Outro

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CHECK OUT LOGAN RANDO AQUASCAPING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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MY FAVORITE AQUASCAPING APPAREL

10% DISCOUNT on a Mosscotton order with code: logan10

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AQUARIUM GEAR & MATERIALS

*** UNS 60U ***

CABINET
UNS Aquarium Stand (Piano Black)

GLASS
Ultimate Nature Systems 60U (20 gal)

SUSPENSION KIT
UNS Light Bar (x2)

LIGHTING
TWINSTAR 600SP ver. III

CO2
UNS Pro Dual Stage Regulator

FILTER
OASE Biomaster Thermo 600

HARDSCAPE
UNS Controsoil Black (Fine)
Vesicular Basalt

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MUSIC ATTRIBUTIONS

[j.e]

Idk why you don’t have at least 10x the subs you currently have. People need to check you out! Absolutely love your channel! Keep doing what you’re doing brother!

[chaturaindika]

dark start methode is well stabilised in reefing, glad to see peoples in planted word trying same thing. im on second week of dark start method

[themermaidslairaquatics]

What a wonderfully informational video! Thank u for sharing!

[minuterain]

Wonderful, clean video, effective presentation without too much falres :)
Logan, you mention about the problem dark-start addresses - melting plants and ammonia - could you cite more examples or explain this a little furthur please?
( well, just because I haven't quite seen one before, I always always under impression that aquasoil packs the form of ammonia that is readily avaialbe to be taken up by plants :)
Thanks in advance and keep up the great quality production. :)

[davidlawrence]

I have tried this with great results. It just makes good biological sense. But it requires patience . Thank you 🙏🏾

[przemysawwojda]

Kids discover how aquariums were set up before the buy-products era. "Fairly new to the aquascaping world" lmao 😂

[champion_i_r]

You have no idea how happy i am to see this video ans know that i am doing it right 🙌🏾💯🌊🌴

[treqity]

i love the dark start method have done it 3 times and im 3 for 3 so far :D so i thnk its the best wat to go about it, just sucks you gotta look at a dark tank for a month or so

[spartona]

Video concise and to the point thank you, starting my first planted tank via dark start

[stephenruether]

Hey Logan, do you add any quick start or other beneficial bacteria when doing this? Or did you just set it up and wait for the bacteria that is already there to populate? Thanks!

[dansonong]

Oh my god this was exactly what I needed..been through plants melting twice... almost to the point of quitting..

[FrrukhHn]

I am about few months behind on new setup so I'll follow your lead on this one, MJ aquascaping introduced me to dark start concept but it was my 1st ever tank period, so i did everything wrong and I MEAN EVERYTHING

[danottaviano]

I am 2.5 weeks into my dark start. I used controsoil and have some seiryu stone in there so far. I have yet to see an ammonia spike or anything to indicate it is cycling. Any suggestions? Was I supposed to add anything to kickstart the cycle like some methods suggest? I am using mostly new filter media but some was from an old torn down tank but it was completely dried out so I don't think it helped start anything much. I put a couple pellets of food in but otherwise it's just the soil, filter, and stone. Appreciate the video and all the info you're willing to share!

[gk]

Do you put the heater on in this time 🤷🏼‍♂️✌️🇨🇦

[quickquad]

I found this channel, while i ponder on If I have done any mistake on my dark start. Very precise to the point, video. Wonderful content.
Its been one week on my dark start quarium, I started noticing 8ppm Ammonia, without addition of anything. I have a drift wood and some Rocks + ADA aquasoil. Done one panic water changes cause 8ppm ammonia thinking welfare of bacteria :p Any suggestions on this?
OR I just need to be more patience :(

[thecoinjar]

I did a dark start just over 2 months ago. Everything started out amazing, the monte carlo carpeted like I've never seen, and no signs of algae. About 3 weeks ago brown algae hit with vengeance and I can't figure out why. I have been changing water every 2 days, playing with the lighting, and reducing the amount I feed my little buddies but to no avail. Any thoughts?

[seqkatwinn]

Thank you for sharing this! Great video! Can you a do a dark start w/o a filter? I'm planning on doing a 6.6 gallon, heavily planted Betta tank that will be self-sustaining, using an Aqua Natural Bio-substrate. If the no filter wouldn't work, can you recommend what would be the best way to start? Thank you, so much for your advice! 🙂🐟

[AyresMedia]

Hey Logan! Super helpful videos. This might be overkill but I was wondering would it at all be beneficial to run the dark start method to establish everything and help with the soil leaching followed by a two week dry start to help carpet plants grow and establish roots before reflooding?

[Heroh]

Hi Logan! Your videos are super helpful and I used your tips to set up my tank yesterday and going to try the dark start method for the first time! I did notice some small air pockets between the aqua soil and glass, is this normal?

[greenslovaktherapy]

Logan one question - when setting up filtration like with normal start? I mean filter media, purigen, carbo..etc…or should I add this after the dark start? Thank you 😊🙏 Pavol