EnwrapturedByNature Intro

Hey All!  I've been checking out this forum, gathering tips and tricks to polishing Petoskeys, as well as watching MichiganRocks videos.  I think I've begun to master some polishing of Petoskeys in my Thumler's UV-18 vibe but still experimenting and tweeking a bit.  I started another large batch with 120/220 grit but using much less water to the point of relatively dry with grit having stuck well to the rock.  Generally I use a bit more water but the thick pudding-like sludge seems to slow the tumbling way down and I find myself having to "stir the pot" quite a bit.  My question is whether running the batch with the grit somewhat dried to the rock surfaces will maybe even grind the surfaces better with the same outcome as using more water resulting in the slick sludge.  I can feel the grit on the individual stones so it hasn't been knocked off.  Thanks for your input!