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Root tab ingredients?

Mattant1984

Mattant1984

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Joined
13 Jun 2022
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489
Location
Canterbury Kent
Hi all,

Would this be acceptable ingredients for a root tab? (See pic)

Many thanks
 

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Hi all,
Mattant1984 said:
Would this be acceptable ingredients for a root tab?
Click to expand...
Probably, if you used it very sparingly.

You would really need to know what the nitrogen (N) source is, because you have 17% N and if that was mainly ammonia (NH3) you could end up with toxic levels, if you have livestock in the tank. If we assume that nitrogen is all as nitrate (NO3-) <"that is 17 x 4.43 = 75 NO3">.

As N : P : K that is 17 : 4 : 9 or 75 : 4 : 9 as NO3 : P : K

I'd also personally prefer something with less nitrogen in it as a ratio <"Solufeed 2:1:4">.

cheers Darrel
 
Many thanks @dw1305 I'm basically after a root tab to use as well as the solufeed because I am planning of getting some large amazon swords in the tank and I know they are heavy root feeders, any suggestions??
 
Hi all,
Mattant1984 said:
I'm basically after a root tab to use as well as the solufeed because I am planning of getting some large amazon swords in the tank and I know they are heavy root feeders, any suggestions??
Click to expand...
I'll be honest I'm not really a root tab fan. I'm always worried about <"controlled release"> becoming <"uncontrolled release">.

All plants can be fed via the water column, roots only take up nutrients as ions from solution, so there aren't really any plants that are heavy root feeders exclusively. Have a look at @Filip Krupa 's <"monster tank">. He says <"(NO MORE) 2,000L High tech BEAST">
......... You know how they always say "swords are heavy root feeders!" All my swords grow well, in inert substrate and no root tabs. I guess its how Clive always says, do EI dosing and you wont have to worry about ferts. Check out my echinodorus cordifolius. I bought it because I read its the largest growing one. I actually wish it stayed the size it is. See for yourselves........
Click to expand...



Having said all that I used to make <"some DIY"> root tabs and <"they were fine">. I just had <"Growmore"> and / or <"Vitax Q4"> to hand at the time, they aren't necessarily the best choices, but I do like the <"dried, rolled clay"> aspect of them and if I went back to DIY I'd definitely use clay again.

cheers Darrel
 
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Thanks Darrel I'll take a look at that video, I mean if I don't need them I would rather not, and just continue to use the Solufeed as it seems to be working well
 
Mattant1984 said:
Many thanks @dw1305 I'm basically after a root tab to use as well as the solufeed because I am planning of getting some large amazon swords in the tank and I know they are heavy root feeders, any suggestions??
Click to expand...
one osmocote pellet every 2 weeks for each target plant will do the trick. given that you are using a single pellet, there is a very low risk of uncontrolled release... and amazon swords grow so fast, they'll vacuum up all the excess nutrients from water column anyway. 😀
 
If going down the root feeding route TNC Plugs are slow release capsules, my Amazons grow just fine in sand with TNC Complete, any very old damaged leaves take energy from the plant so remove them right down completely, New growth will quickly arrive
 
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