Best Ferts For Diy Root Tabs?

Plain old soil and seachem root tabs aren't cutting it for my s Repens, since their leaves are almost white and rather tattered. I'm starting to dose Easy Green, but these need nutrients in the substrate.

I've seen folks make DIY root tabs using gel capsules filled with dry ferts. What kind of dry fert brand (if there is any) is simply safe for aquarium use, and are there any that are ideal for supplementing s repens?

 

Most people use Osmocote Plus.

 

How long have you been dosing Easy Green for?

I don't know that your plants need nutrients in the substrate. All plants would rather have nutrients in their water column because they can use the nutrients gathered there more efficiently. Photosynthesis takes place where the light hits the leaves and stems, so if a plant can take in nutrients right from the leaves and stems, that's going to give them the most efficient (use up the least amount of energy) way to get their nutrients --- versus taking up nutrients from the roots which is always going to use up more energy for the plant. We say some plants are "root feeders" because some plants are better and more efficient at taking up nutrients from the roots than other plants, but plants are opportunistic and are going to take up nutrients by way of path of least resistance. So, if a plant can't get all its necessary nutrients from the water column, then it will try to from their roots as well- which some plants are better at using roots than others.

I say this because I've observed thriving tanks with inert, non-special gravel substrate with no root tabs, dosing only liquid ferts, including the tank I have now. I would say keep using Easy Green, trim any stems that currently look dead or dying as they likely won't recover and will just take nutrients from otherwise healthy plants, and then see how your new growth looks using Easy Green as your macro fert dosing and occasionally with other micro ferts.

 

I really like osmocote plus.

 

I really like osmocote plus.

Is this the right stuff?

 

Is this the right stuff?

Yes.

 

Also, do you actually need those gel capsules, can't you just bury some of these granules in your substrate directly?

Sorry for the thread jack.

 

Also, do you actually need those gel capsules, can't you just bury some of these granules in your substrate directly?

Sorry for the thread jack.

Seems like a pain to just bury each granule in the substrate. Some people actually stick the Osmocote in the freezer with ice cube trays.

 

It is a royal pain to bury those things. They are tiny!

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/diy-root-tabs-how-to.425716/

 

It is a royal pain to bury those things. They are tiny!

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/diy-root-tabs-how-to.425716/

I didn't realize the granules were that small, thanks.

 

Talk about granules.Will nutricote 180 days do the job for replacement of osmocote? It is big with 1/8 Of inch on diameter.