[Freemann]

Of course they have secrets. All "trades" have secrets, some of this maybe in front of our eyes but we don't see them, simple things can make big difference if you use them all the time with repeated success. I give you some examples. For one the use of rich substrate with an underlayer of super rich substrate with repeated WC every other day can start a tank without algae and without the need for the addition of ferts on the initial period, or the use of ammonia (they do not add ammonia directly of course) instead or together with NO3, or as John said the use of emersed setups as the starting stage of a tank (this was circulated among people in the yearly ADA meeting some years ago long before Barr referred to it).
Unless people with super looking tanks come out and talk openly, sincerely and fully about their methods we will never know what are this "secrets", most of them (not all mind you) tend to just saw their tanks, avoid replying to questions and wait for the applause, I find this most disturbing and somehow mocking other peoples failures and I really wish it will not happen in this forum as well. What most of us need is a way to achieve the same results instead of staring in wonderment.