Seeds were started in dechlorinated water and soaked for 18 hours before transferring to paper towels. Both seeds showed signs of cracking before taking them out of the water.
I use a few layers of paper towels to keep them from drying out. The plate of seeds are then placed on top of a gallon bucket of water heated with a germination pad. This helps to regulate the temperature of the seeds. A towel is placed on top of the plate to further regulate the temperature. Dechlorinated water is always used through the grow from initial soaking to harvest.