vtchef

I just want to know if others use this type of thing and what you think about them. If you do like them what kind? Right now in my tank I have 3wpg and pressurized co2 with just flourish for my ferts. I am thinking root tabs would help or should I add something different?

Consigliere

I don't have a lot of experience with root tabs but I have been using them recently in a 10G and 70G. I've found that the negate the need for water column dosing for the most part, depending on what you buy.

I have been using Seachem Flourish tabs and they seem to be pretty solid all round for macros and micros. I've been adding some extra iron to the water column for some red plants. In my 10G I haven't added anything but Flourish Excel occasionally and have had some pretty good growth.

Tex Gal

With 3wpg and CO2 I think you are going to need water column dosing. That's high light. Are your plants fast growers? I'm not sure the root tabs can provide enough ferts quickly enough for high light. If you have a nutritious substrate that is already releasing high levels of nutrients you could be fine.

Plants need CO2 + light + macros (potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus) + micros (trace minerals like what flourish provides). You need all three. With high light you need more of all others. People have said it's like the light is the gas pedal. If you increase the light you will need to increase all others. The growth will increase because of the light. Without other nutrients your plants will show deficiencies and begin to starve.

If you had lower light I'd say check your root tabs to make sure that they have all the micros and macros and you're fine.

vtchef

I want to add root tabs plus still use flourish. Is this a good idea? I just added some glosso the other plants at all stem plants that i dont know the name off.

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi vtchef,

I agree with Tex Gal, Flourish is not enough by itself with the WPG that you have and CO2 plants and nutrients are needed to avoid algae issues. I dose using the EI method with Flourish Root tabs for my heavy root feeders like Crypts and Swords.

bosmahe1

I don't believe Flourish Root Tabs provide Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

bradac56

Root tabs in general are a good idea even when column dosing fertz for rooted plants.
While all plants can get fertz from there leaves rooted plants are better at drawing them
in from there roots so put some tabs in next to the rooted plants and replace them once
or twice a year for maximum growth.

I do agree that you need to switch to dry fertz or maybe pferts(.com) to make it easier.

- Brad

vtchef

Yeah i have been looking at pferts medium tech + with the root tabs. Is this a good way to fert?

bradac56

Yep that would be a good combo plus keep a bottle of Excel for algea spikes.

- Brad

vtchef

Anyone else like pferts and will this be better than just using flourish? I think I may order this weekend