Root tabs recipe

[Bhavik]

I want to have a go at making some root tabs for myself I currently have a sand substrate and general look tech plants Amazon swords crypts things like that

I have some gel capsules but I don’t know what to fill them with or what to use? I was thinking of using miracle grow all purpose fertiliser?

Would this work? And if so how much would I need to use?

 

[_Maq_]

If you use gel capsules they would dissolve in the substrate within minutes/hours and release all the contents at once. That would possibly lead to problems.
Why don't you use Osmocote tabs?

 

[Bhavik]

If you use gel capsules they would dissolve in the substrate within minutes/hours and release all the contents at once. That would possibly lead to problems.
Why don't you use Osmocote tabs?

I didnt actually think of that!
But with the Osmocote tabs wouldnt they be the same a dissolve quickly as im guessing you would need to put them in something to get them in the substrate?

 

[hypnogogia]

There a thread about this here

DIY root tabs

I would like to make DIY root tabs for the future when I need to recharge my soil. I really like the look of the APT jazz tabs but I cant justify 1 pound per root tab.... I need a root tab that will promote growth in finicky species such as eriocaulon and won't spike collumn nutrients. I...

www.ukaps.org

 

[erwin123]

Cation exchange capacity

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Wouldn't root tabs/osmocote in SAND just go straight to water column?

 

[_Maq_]

Wouldn't root tabs/osmocote in SAND just go straight to water column?

It is true that adsorption on silica sand is relatively weak. But a 'clean' silica sand will not remain clean for long; immediately after establishing a tank, spaces among the grains get filled with detritus, decaying roots, and most of all, microbial mats. Together they form a sediment with quite remarkable adsorption ability for many nutrients.
(Note: CEC can be understood as a specific case of adsorption.)

A few weeks ago, I performed a primitive test on the speed of diffusion of potassium permanganate. It took two days to move across some 3 cm of sand. It's important to remember that (1) that sand was really 'clean', (2) the concentration gradient was huge, therefore the diffusion speed was many times higher.

That said, I never use any kind of root tabs. I dose ferts solely to water column. That does not mean that fertilizing to the roots is bad. I just hesitate to try it because I find it too risky.

 

[zozo]

Osmocote has some patented porous epoxy coating and it takes an awfully long time for them to dissolve in wet conditions. I regularly buy potted pond plants that are always stored with soaking damp soil and with repotting them I always find these strange little yellow balls in the soil. At first, I always thought these were some kind of insect eggs or something. Later I realized it was Osmocote® Then I bought some Osmocote cones and started using it myself and stick 'm in the submerged pots of the pond plants and never experienced any negative effects. So i guess it can't be that bad in aquarium soil that is actully similar to a large submerged plant pot with more than 1 plant.

It's a patented ® brand that licence other Trademarks to use their product. Whatever you find looking like this

or this

Regardless of the brand name on the bag/box, Pocon or Substral etc., you can be sure it simply is Osmocote® they are the only ones making it. You might need to consider the NPK + ratio, but I have no idea what the best all-around balance would be for submerged plants. Sinds what they need could be different per species. For example, Nymphaea nurseries recommend NPK: 10-08-17+2Mgo cones for water lilies.