What Root Tabs To Buy?

[friednewt]

Hello all,

I have had my amazon swords growing so big that they actually touched the surface of the water!!

This was using DIY Co2 and plant food mixed at home using a guide from Jame's planted tank.

Months have gone on and Co2 was not changed as often as it should, 1 of 3 bulbs blew and was never replaced, so all the plants died back.

I have just setup Co2 using an extinguisher and ordered a new powerglow tube to get things moving again.

I have just used my last root tabs and would like some advise on whitch one to get now.

Where/what should I be looking for. And can I make my own?

Thank you

 

[Bobtastic]

I think Tropica are widely know as a good fert manufacturer. Do you does the water column with ferts??

 

[friednewt]

I think Tropica are widely know as a good fert manufacturer. Do you does the water column with ferts??

I mix my own using the following guide found on http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm

DIY Tropica Plant Nutrition Plus
Tropica have very kindly provided an analysis of their product so with my calculator at the ready I have calculated a close match. Please remember that Tropica's TPN+ uses an ammonium compound for some of the Nitrogen content whereas I use all potassium nitrate.
48g Potassium Nitrate
2.2g Potassium Phosphate (monobasic)
17g Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate (Epsom Salts)
5g Aqua Essentials Trace Elements Mix
0.5g E300 Ascorbic Acid
0.2g E202 Potassium Sorbate
500ml distilled water

 

[Bobtastic]

Goodo, that's the mix that I use too. Very cost effective!

 

[friednewt]

Goodo, that's the mix that I use too. Very cost effective!

I have watched this DIY plant food work with my DIY yeast based Co2 and the results were great.

I only have a plain gravel substrate and want to get the nutrients to the roots.

I agree that Tropica are a good brand to buy, why do you buy your tabs from?

I am looking for a way to feed the plants properly without costing an arm and a leg.

 

[friednewt]

I have been looking on ebay, would you say these are the best prices arround?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220573099786&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Or what about this one?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170452260907&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Can any body suggest a better or cheaper way?

 

[Biulu]

I am using Sera roottabs with good results. You could also make balls of laterite and put them in the places where you have your swords.

 

[waterdrop]

I have an amazon sword that puts up a new leaf about every 3 days and they get very large on the water surface or push emergent and stop along the top glass that's under the lights. I used to use API root tabs with it but (can't remember) was getting some water coloring I think and switched to Flourish tabs and they've been fine. I'm sure they're loads more expensive though than what you're doing. For me its just been small experimenting.

~~waterdrop~~