Root Tabs

[UKSPEED]

Can anyone recommend any good root tabs that they've found successful, but aren't as horribly priced as the branded equivalent?

Thanks.

 

[dave840f1]

If you have a pet shop near you that keep guinea pigs ask for some droppings. I find this a good plant food, just don't overdose.

 

[techen]

If you have a pet shop near you that keep guinea pigs ask for some droppings. I find this a good plant food, just don't overdose.

 
I donno if that's wise, As if you broke the substrate ontop of it, It will leech ammonia into the water.

 

[dave840f1]

Thanks for your coment Techen, I've used this for years and never had a problem with water parameters. As I stated you don't over dose.

 

[attibones]

I use the Seachem ones but those are kind of pricey. You could look into the EI method though. 

 

[Byron]

Thanks for your coment Techen, I've used this for years and never had a problem with water parameters. As I stated you don't over dose.

Please don't consider this an attempt to simply argue, it isn't.  But as we have many fairly new members to the hobby who may accept this and other practices on face value, it behoves me to point out the extreme danger in adding any raw animal excrement to an aquarium.  
 
There are several reasons.  First, animals can convey disease; it is primarily for this reason that knowledgeable aquarists will tell you never to use wild plants from ponds where ducks may be present.  And you've no idea what disease may be present in animals in pet shops.  Second, this excrement will break down and while you may not detect elevated ammonia (or nitrite) it is still occurring, and it is never wise to add any form of raw ammonia or nitrite to an aquarium with fish.  I would wonder if your nitrate reading is higher because of this; this alone could be an issue as we now know that our fish do have issues with long-term nitrate above 20 ppm and it should be kept as low as possible.  Third, the breakdown is adding organics, and depending upon the fish load there may be sufficient from just the fish to ensure a truly healthy substrate and water quality long-term.
 
These issues in the natural environment would post little risk, as we are there dealing with a vast volume of water and miniscule fish load compared to any aquarium.  And inducing this state in a closed system is very risky and should never be contemplated.
 
Byron.

 

[Byron]

Can anyone recommend any good root tabs that they've found successful, but aren't as horribly priced as the branded equivalent?

Thanks.

I too use Seachem's Flourish Tabs and have for six years plus.  Previously I used a product made by NutraFin, called Plant-Gro sticks, but it has apparently not been available for the last few years.  I would not use the API tabs, as I have heard from several aquarists that they make a real mess if disturbed; this I have never had occur with Flourish Tabs.  These are not all that expensive when you consider that you only replace them every 3-4 months, and I only use them next to the larger sword plants, Aponogeton and Red Tiger Lotus.  I have never added them (solid or broken up) as a general substrate fertilizing but only one next to the larger plants.
 
Byron.

 

[UKSPEED]

Can anyone recommend any good root tabs that they've found successful, but aren't as horribly priced as the branded equivalent?
Thanks.

I too use Seachem's Flourish Tabs and have for six years plus.  Previously I used a product made by NutraFin, called Plant-Gro sticks, but it has apparently not been available for the last few years.  I would not use the API tabs, as I have heard from several aquarists that they make a real mess if disturbed; this I have never had occur with Flourish Tabs.  These are not all that expensive when you consider that you only replace them every 3-4 months, and I only use them next to the larger sword plants, Aponogeton and Red Tiger Lotus.  I have never added them (solid or broken up) as a general substrate fertilizing but only one next to the larger plants.
 
Byron.

Thank you, very valued response! I think I will end up with trying seachems as I've heard a lot of good, but did just wonder if anyone had stumbled across a cheaper equivalent.

 

[SO19Firearms]

 
but did just wonder if anyone had stumbled across a cheaper equivalent.

 

 
Osmocote in an icecube - Push under substrate.

A DIY version of This review on PFK

 

[Alasse]

I use Dino Dung

 

[dave840f1]

Ammonia = 0 Nitrite = 0 Nitrate = <20. I only posted this reply as it is something I do. I have never had a problem with water quality and I did say not to overdose.