Dry or Liquid Ferts?

Quick run-down:

-3 Gallon-

~1 male Betta

~Wisteria (2)
~Dwarf Sag
~Crypt Wendtii
~Brazilian Pennywort
~Guppy Grass (8-ish stems)
~Argentine Sword (2)
~Duckweed

So my question is, should I use Liquid or Dry fertilizers? I have API Root Tabs, but I'm unsure if I should use one, or split one (one or several times?), or if my life would be a lot easier if I just bought the liquid equivalent of the root tabs. Ooooooor, if I should even use any at all. All thoughts are welcome, as are any other questions.

 

I know from experience that an argentine sword will appreciate an iron supplement in the substrate. My sword leaves began turning slightly yellow and I was advised to try a tab near the base of each plant. Wouldn't you know it, the leaves greened right up!

 

OK, thanks! About how big do these swords get, and how fast do they grow? They are tube-babies, from PetCo. I've had them about 3 weeks and they are doing great, but one of them is starting to show a tiny, little, pin-point whole in one leaf.

How should I do the root tabs? Cut one up? In to how many pieces, and how many of the pieces should I use?

 

Argentine Swords grow to 18 inches. One is too big for your 3G, even your 10G tank!

As you have a 3G, I'd look at using liquid ferts, unless you already have dry available. The measurements for dry would be so small, you'd need a gram scale.

I'd place a single root tab in the middle of the tank and see how it goes. You may need to place one at each end, but I wouldn't do that until the plants are well established.

Best of luck with your new tank!

 

Perhaps this might help you: http://www.ukaps.org/index.php?page=dosing-with-dry-salts

 

Argentine Swords grow to 18 inches. One is too big for your 3G, even your 10G tank!

As you have a 3G, I'd look at using liquid ferts, unless you already have dry available. The measurements for dry would be so small, you'd need a gram scale.

I'd place a single root tab in the middle of the tank and see how it goes. You may need to place one at each end, but I wouldn't do that until the plants are well established.

Best of luck with your new tank!

Oh, wow! Good thing they are still only like 4 inches right now XD

I have API Root Tabs, that I had for the 10 gallon. When I went home for a month, mom liked the 10 gallon and stole it, and stent me back to school with a 3 gallon I don't mind buying a bottle of liquid ferts, though.

Heres a link to my 3 gallon blog. It has pics of the tank, so you can get an idea

Perhaps this might help you: http://www.ukaps.org/index.php?page=dosing-with-dry-salts

Cool, thanks! I'll head over and check it out

 

Ok, so I realized I don't have API root tabs, I have Flourish Root Tabs. Dunno what I was thinking with the API........

Anyway, anyone know how I should dose this tank? I was thinking, cut one in half, and then cut the half into thirds, and place the thirds in a triangle under the planted corner of the tank. Yes, no, maybe?

 

API and Flourish Root Tabs are fairly interchangeable. API is dosed monthly where Flourish lasts longer. As these tablets crumble fairly easily, I'm not sure if they'll disintegrate before getting them into the substrate.

 

I suppose there's no harm in trying, right?

 

Sure, try to split a single tablet. Worst case is you waste it.

 

I have like 5 of them lol I think I'll do that. Do you think a 1/2 of one is too much?

 

No I think 1/2 would be fine; but I have never had a 3G planted tank. So, hard to say.