Root ferts

[Darbex]

How important are root fertilizers? Is there any significant benefit that liquid ferts dont supply?

[Navarro]

They dissolve at a slower rate so nutrients are available to the root system in a more natural way. Fertilizing the water column on the other hand is a quick way to get to a specific problem since the intake of nutrients happen thru the leaves.
I prefer doing both this way I cut down on the amount of times I have to use liquid fertilizers.
Cheers,
Luis

[wesleydnunder]

They dissolve at a slower rate so nutrients are available to the root system in a more natural way. Fertilizing the water column on the other hand is a quick way to get to a specific problem since the intake of nutrients happen thru the leaves.
I prefer doing both this way I cut down on the amount of times I have to use liquid fertilizers.
Cheers,
Luis

A big +1.

The only thing I'd add is, once you place the root tab deep in the substrate under/by the root ball, try not to disturb it as they can release a large fert dose into the water column if exposed, potentially causing an algae bloom.

Mark

[eklikewhoa]

What he said!

[Darbex]

A big +1.

The only thing I'd add is, once you place the root tab deep in the substrate under/by the root ball, try not to disturb it as they can release a large fert dose into the water column if exposed, potentially causing an algae bloom.

Mark

Good to know knowing my luck that is exactly what would have happened

[Darbex]

Next question is how far apart should they be inserted?

[kwc1974]

Next question is how far apart should they be inserted?

Depends on what type you use, by root tab I a assuming that you mean Seachem or some other domestic product. I will usually plug these in directly under a specific plant (swords, bulb plants...ect) for stems I space them out with in the stem field. I do not worry about distance as much as quantity per application. Convoluted answer I know, but the question just opened a huge discussion based upon differant plants have differant needs and a generalistic answer of one every 6" may not apply. Some one stop me I am nerding out again!

[Darbex]

No thats fine I was thinking one under specific plants like my lotus but I didnt know what should be done about my Rotalas or HMs

[wesleydnunder]

I customarily just use them for rooted plants and let the stems get theirs from the column ferts. As well as your baby tears did you may not need tabs for your carpet or stems.

Mark

[wesleydnunder]

Depends on what type you use, by root tab I a assuming that you mean Seachem or some other domestic product. I will usually plug these in directly under a specific plant (swords, bulb plants...ect) for stems I space them out with in the stem field. I do not worry about distance as much as quantity per application. Convoluted answer I know, but the question just opened a huge discussion based upon differant plants have differant needs and a generalistic answer of one every 6" may not apply. Some one stop me I am nerding out again!

Nerd out man! I love it.

Mark

[kwc1974]

I customarily just use them for rooted plants and let the stems get theirs from the column ferts. As well as your baby tears did you may not need tabs for your carpet or stems.

Mark

I respectfully disagree. Stems have roots, in fact some have very good root systems. Any of the red stems would greatly benfit from a plant tab.

My preferance is to use the ADA multi bottom long (read up on it it has a lot of good stuff in it) For "rooted" plants such as bulbs rosettes and such I will use these hieght wise to get heavy fertilization for less area. On stem bunches I will use one and lay it on it's side to get light fertilization for more area.

Here in Houston, the iron & multi long bottom is easy to get (we are so lucky). And price wise it is very affordable.

[kwc1974]

Nerd out man! I love it.

Mark

I try.

[kwc1974]

Just had a thought, and that is a dangerous thing.

You are using the ADA substrate correct?

Root tabs are a plus but not a requirement, Aquasoil already has so much organic material in it that I only use multi bottom to refresh or to help picky plants.

[Darbex]

I am using ADA

[wesleydnunder]

I respectfully disagree. Stems have roots, in fact some have very good root systems. Any of the red stems would greatly benfit from a plant tab.

My preferance is to use the ADA multi bottom long (read up on it it has a lot of good stuff in it) For "rooted" plants such as bulbs rosettes and such I will use these hieght wise to get heavy fertilization for less area. On stem bunches I will use one and lay it on it's side to get light fertilization for more area.

Here in Houston, the iron & multi long bottom is easy to get (we are so lucky). And price wise it is very affordable.

I guess my post was misleading. When I said root tabs MAY not be needed for Darbex's tank I was looking at a couple factors. One, in light of the past performance of plants in this tank it seems the column ferts were doing an adequate job. You may not have seen the masses of baby tears he periodically thinned. Two, he has ADA aquasoil in it which has a very high coefficient for nutrient transport to roots. I know that stems grow roots and can absorb nutrients through them. I just made an observation that in his particular tank, he may not need root tabs for his stems.

Mark