JLeeM
- #1
Which are better? The percentages are all higher on API, but some of them I worry about messing with water parameters.
Now that you mention it, I remember that now too. He told me he used both for his red tiger lotus, which is what I'm trying to decide on a root tab for. So far it's just gotten liquid Flourish, but it's already grown a new leaf in less than a week. I'll probably add some Seachem tabs around it. Later on might give it an API.I recall Dave125g having tried both.
So, API tabs have a higher percentage of macronutrients, but lack in micronutrients (except iron). Flourish is more balanced in both the macros and micros + includes a wider range of nutrients, but overall macro nutrients is lower in comparison (and, plants need more macros...hence why they’re considered macros lol). But the balance in flourish helps offset the lower macro content because plants still need their micros to grow properly.
The choice does depends on the plants you are trying to grow, substrate, liquid ferts you may be supplementing, live inhabitants, etc.
In essence, if you want a catch-all root tab that quick and easy, Flourish is probably the better choice; but, this means you might have to use it more often in order to compensate for the growth. While API isn’t necessarily bad, you should be supplementing micros so the plants are getting their entire spectrum of nutrients rather than just one kind; they can last a bit longer granted you are supplementing
So basically it's trial and error until you find what your tank/plants do best with.I use both API and seachem. As stated the ingredients are different. API tabs break up far quicker and can make a real mess if dug up. Seachem lasts almost twice as long. I think my swords do better on the API tabs. Seachem cost far less though.
Yes, but there's a couple of things to consider. If you have a gravel substrate you can't use API. It just makes too much of a mess. Also cost API cost 10 bucks for 10 tabs. Seachem is 18 bucks for 40 tabs.So basically it's trial and error until you find what your tank/plants do best with.