Root tabs problem.

Hello, recently I decided to give my whole tank a make-over because almost all my plants died (probably because of brown algae and lack of nutrition) I decided I wanted a lot more plants then I had before. But I also wanted some kind of fertilizer because of the last time I had plants. Without researching good quality fertilizer I bought some root tabs at my local pet store, followed the exact instructions on using them and then planted my plants. I currently have five plants in my aquarium: a Anubias, a Java fern, a Cryptocoryne wendttiI (or atleast one of those species) and two I don’t know the name of anymore. Anyway, after using the root tabs and planting the plants, my aquarium became a bit off a mess thanks to all the root tab powder that was in the water. After the water ceared up a lot of that powder was now on the leaves of my anubias (it didn’t affect the others as much because their leaves aren’t as big as those of a anubias). Everytime when I clean my aquarium I always rub the powder of the leaves but it just keeps landing on the leaves again and again. It’s pretty frustrating. So I was wondering, does anyone have any tips or advice for this problem? Btw after doing some proper research for fertilizer i’m getting a bottle of thrive liquid fertilizer. So i’m exited about that!! Kind regards Mups.

 

Give the tank a good gravel vacuum to try and get it all out. I have had decent luck with the flourish root tabs. They don’t cloud the water when they are underneath the substrate. Also could try osmocote house plant fertilizer in 00 gel capsules.

 

Okay, I will do that. Thanks for the advice!!

 

I use seachem root tabs. they don't cloud my water.

 

What kind of root tabs and how many did you put in?

 

I used Tetra Initial sticks. The instructions said to cover 2/3 of the gravel (buried) with the root tabs, but I did use bit less just to make sure nothing bad would happen.

Now that I think about it i’m not really sure if they are root tabs because the package said sticks, so I apologize in advance if I made that mistake.

 

I never used the tetra product. But most tell you to put in to many. Just put one by the plants roots. See how the plant grows and add another when plant growth has stoped. Usually about a month. Now of your listed plants only the crypt need root tabs. The others will benefit from liquid ferts. Both the jave fern and the anubias do best with there roots out of the gravel. Most people attach they to rocks or wood or ornaments.

 

API Tabs are a mess as well, Seachem root tabs are the way to go.