Can you break up Seachem root tabs?

[rebe]

I have a packet of ten root tabs for my 280. No plants will be as heavy root feeders as amazon swords but since I'm using a straight sand substrate I thought it would be good to break the seachem tabs into halves or quarters to spread them more evenly for smaller root feeders. The bigger plants will get a full root tab.

I'm wondering if they will loose effectiveness or dissolve if I break them up or crush a few

 

[MaloK]

I would not crush them It will probably accelerate dissolution speed too much, but cutting them, yes. If you don't over do it and have enough plants, I would try without hesitation.

 

[rebe]

I would not crush them It will probably accelerate dissolution speed too much, but cutting them, yes. If you don't over do it and have enough plants, I would try without hesitation.

Brilliant, thanks! Maybe I'll split them in half only, if possible?

 

[MaloK]

Keep in mind that dividing one piece in eight will grossly release eight times the same amount during the same period of time and even more... Bury them as deep as you can and don't go too small.

 

[rebe]

dividing one piece in eight will grossly release eight times the same amount during the same period of time

That's a really good point, I didn't consider that at all.
With split tabs, I would be covering more area but reducing the "lifespan" of the root tab. I wonder if I would be better off just using full tabs, and spacing them out more

 

[MaloK]

Try to use strategical points between your main plants and make them stretch their roots a bit to reach it.

Then you will be able to go to the same place and put the new tabs right under their roots...

With good and loooong thiiiiiiin pliers.

 

[MaloK]

That's a really good point, I didn't consider that at all.
With split tabs, I would be covering more area but reducing the "lifespan" of the root tab. I wonder if I would be better off just using full tabs, and spacing them out more

I really mean you could seriously overdose the tank in nutrients and have an epic algae era , followed by a biblical dimension flooding. Before the quail reach Sinai.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I have used Jobes Spokes now for two decades as my substrate fert. I cut the sticks into pieces of differen sizes based on the plant species, size and numbers. With a big sword I will push several smaller pieces under the plant from differnt points around the plant. I want the ferts to be available to as much of the root mass as is reasonable. I tend to add the ferts 4 times a year.

Thos is a inecpensive a way to do substrate ferts as there is. But, there is one caveat. The Jobe's spikes are slow release. If you are one who like to pull plants drom the substrate to try new plants in their place, this is not a fert for you. If you let the dissolving stick piece become unearthed you will rapidly earn an MBA (Mastered By Algae). You will not believe that how bad it can be was even possible.

As I said, I have been using the Spikes for 20+ years. In that time I have probably spent about $50 on them, It was this high because my first batch I had to get from a forum member in Florida and I live in NY. We do not have a lot of Ferns & Palms which are the intended target for the spikes I use. I traded 6 or 10 of the LF bristle nose born in my tanks and paid for the shipping. The recipient paid to ship me the spikes. There was no Amazon back then.

Pack 5101​

Do not confuse the above with the Jobe's Palm Spikes which are Pack 01010