Mattant1984
Member
Can anyone recommend some really good root tabs. Currently using Seachem flourish tabs but they are very expensive.
Many thanks
Many thanks
Total Nitrogen (N) | 0.8% |
0.8 % Water Soluble Nitrogen | |
Available Phosphate (P2O5) | 0.11% |
Soluble Potash (K2O) | 0.28% |
Calcium (Ca) | 23.3% |
Magnesium (Mg) | 0.29% |
0.06% Water Soluble Magnesium | |
Sulfur (S) | 16.5% |
Boron (B) | 0.003% |
Cobalt (Co) | 0.002% |
Copper (Cu) | 0.006% |
0.001% Water Soluble Copper (Cu) | |
Iron (Fe) | 3.07% |
3.07% Water Soluble Iron (Fe) | |
Manganese (Mn) | 0.16% |
0.16% Water Soluble Manganese (Mn) | |
Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.0005% |
Zinc (Zn) | 0.003% |
0.003% Water Soluble Zinc (Zn) |
Nitrogen Total (N) | 18% |
Nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3) | 5.9% |
Ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH4) | 7.7% |
Urea nitrogen (Ur-N) | 4.4% |
Phosphorus Pentoxide (P205) | 9% |
Water soluble (P205) | 6.8% |
Potassium Oxide (K20) | 10% |
Water soluble (K20) | 10.0% |
Magnesium Oxide (MgO) | 2.0% |
Water soluble | 1.3% |
Iron (Fe) | 0.30% |
Chelated by EDTA | 0.06% |
Manganese (Mn) | 0.04% |
Boron (B) | 0.01% |
Water soluble | 0.01% |
Copper (Cu) | 0.037% |
Water soluble | 0.023% |
Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.015% |
Water soluble | 0.010% |
Zinc (Zn) | 0.011% |
I would say that you couldn't make it up, well factually you could, and it looks like it is (mainly) very expensive <"Plaster of Paris">. But the real question that Seachem should answer is: "do they deter werewolves">?Chemical analysis of flourish root tabs...
Sulfur (S) 16.5%
Calcium (Ca) 23.3%
That would do, but I would use it very sparingly, the controlled release will be <"much less controlled in the tank"> and you run the risk of an ammonia dump.You can buy cheap osmocote on ebay..
Thanks for the reply John, didn't know there was a huge difference in the root tabs but it shows there definitely is lol. So basically what I have bought is just cheap crap that only sells due to the brand name??Seachem Flourish are also only micronutrients. I would try an all in one tab.
Yes, but you could put a more <"positive spin on it">, it definitely won't dump ammonia in your tank.So basically what I have bought is just cheap crap that only sells due to the brand name??
Yeah i was very negative there (whoops!!) I've used Seachem stuff in the past and like the brand however when it comes to plants I'm very new to it. So when purchasing an all in one root tab what are the main things I need to look for??Hi all,
Yes, but you could put a more <"positive spin on it">, it definitely won't dump ammonia in your tank.
cheers Darrel
The problem for me <"with Seachem"> is not so much their products, but in <"the way they are described">. Fertilisers are different from everything else, there is <"no argument about aesthetics etc">.I've used Seachem stuff in the past and like the brand however when it comes to plants I'm very new to it.
I'm <"not a root-tab user">, but you would want a <"complete fertiliser">, ideally one with little or no ammonia (NH3) in it (so nitrogen supplied as nitrate (NO3-)), and even then I would use them very sparingly.So when purchasing an all in one root tab what are the main things I need to look for??
Thanks John, 😊To be honest @Mattant1994 you probably don't need to add any root tabs, you've got a decent stock of fish to provide the ammonia and providing you dose a complete fertiliser (which I believe you are) then I reckon the plants you have will be fine.
Like Darrel mentions, when you start adding root tabs there's a potential risk of getting an ammonia spike which might encourage algae, and definitely wouldn't be good for the fish.
Thanks for all your help DarrylHi all,
The problem for me <"with Seachem"> is not so much their products, but in <"the way they are described">. Fertilisers are different from everything else, there is <"no argument about aesthetics etc">.
Nutrients are <"only available as ions">, charged particles in solution and all the elements (that form those ions) have been on the <"Earth for the last 4.5 billion years">, there aren't any special Seachem potassium ions (K+) etc.
I'm <"not a root-tab user">, but you would want a <"complete fertiliser">, ideally one with little or no ammonia (NH3) in it (so nitrogen supplied as nitrate (NO3-)), and even then I would use them very sparingly.
cheers Darrel
Sou ds like a great idea, I might look into it. Tha ks for all your helpI agree with Darrell in that you want a complete root tab, it's far easier to make your own from the powders we all use.
Purchase a small cheap tablet puncher, clinoptilolite powder and a very sparingly dose amount of npk and csm, voila. I have done this many times and tested using only a small part of a tablet under my cryptocorynes and echinodorus and they had a very positive affect.View attachment 190194
I've done the (very) <"low-tech. version of this one"> in the past.Purchase a small cheap tablet puncher, clinoptilolite powder and a very sparingly dose amount of npk and csm, voila.
I've just read that actually not long after posting above. Great wee idea wrapping in clay. Very very slow release then I'd assume?
I always take the (<"cheapest">) path of <"least resistance">.Great wee idea wrapping in clay.
No real way of knowing I'm afraid. Some nutrients would have been <"held by the CEC"> (and / or AEC) of the substrate, but monovalent ions (like K+, NH4+, NO3- etc.) are very lightly bound and would find their way into the water column fairly quickly.Very very slow release then I'd assume?
If you want to use them this is my advice as well.(2) 'target plants' approach - adding a much small number of root tabs under specific plants in order to help them grow better.
I use method (2)..