Aqua soil depletion

[maverick786us]

How do you determine when your aqua soil is depleted of its nutrients? 2 of my high tech tanks 1 established in November and other December when should I use root tabs to get these nutrients back? Do these soils also store nutrients from the water column? I regularly use fertilizer based on the prescription.

 

[hypnogogia]

From my reading it lasts anywhere between 1-3 years, depending on the brand you have. Your plants will be the first to tell you when it depletes and then you can use root tabs. Also, AFAIK, some aqua soils will also absorb nutrients from the water column which will help extend its life.

 

[maverick786us]

This is the aqua soil I use. But in the US it comes in different labels. I know ADA Amazon and Tropica Aquarium soil are more popular. The reason I selected platinum soil is because I got it at a very good discounted price. There is no way I can find out if this soil is capable of extracting nutrients from the water column.

 

[FrozenShivers]

From my reading it lasts anywhere between 1-3 years, depending on the brand you have. Your plants will be the first to tell you when it depletes and then you can use root tabs. Also, AFAIK, some aqua soils will also absorb nutrients from the water column which will help extend its life.

That's what Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) does right? That's what I thought anyway but maybe I misunderstood, although my understanding is that CEC itself can't buffer excess nutrients forever.

@maverick786us You could wait for your plants to show signs and then add root tabs, or just pre-emptively add them.