Best Root Tabs?

[Bubbles0oO]

Bought some swords recently and have read that they are heavy root feeders. I dose liquid frets right now , but I'd like to root feed the swords as well. What kind of root tabs are the best? Is there an easy way to DIY root tabs?

 

[fort384]

API root tabs work fine. Pfertz are also very good, though much more expensive.

 

[Coursair]

Easy way to DIY Root Tabs. Make Fert-Cicles. Buy Osmocote Plus. Get an ice tray. Fill ice tray with some Osmocote Plus, add Tank Water to the compartments. Freeze.
Push the Fert-cicles deep into the substrate, spaced out around the tank, but esp. near Swords or Crypts.

 

[Bubbles0oO]

Ok, I had read that API root tabs were messy, is this true?

 

[blert]

Have had lots of luck with AquariumPlants.com Total Pellets.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AquariumPlants_com_s_own_SUBSTRATE_VITALIZATION_p/fert.htm
They come in three flavors: everything, everything minus phosphate, and trace only. At 11$ for 75 pellets it is a pretty good deal. Shipping is only 6$ flat rate unless you are in a hurry. Also have 500ml Excel for $7.50 and 500ml Prime for $11.50 so I try to time my orders to make the most of the flat rate shipping charge.

 

[Eleven13]

Ok, I had read that API root tabs were messy, is this true?

They're the only root tabs I have experience with so far, so I can't base this in comparison to others, but yeah they were pretty messy.

When you push them into the substrate they let off clouds of fertilizer, which I didn't expect. I'll personally be going DIY for my next set of root tabs, I'm just using API in the meantime.

 

[Bubbles0oO]

Does the water stay cloudy? Or does it clear up/ settle? Im going to the LFS today, should I get?

 

[Eleven13]

Does the water stay cloudy? Or does it clear up/ settle? Im going to the LFS today, should I get?

It settles. Overall I think they're decent, my root plants are doing well, but like I said I don't really have much basis for comparison.

I'm just going DIY because I like DIY projects and because I hear they're cheaper in the long run, but I'm sure the API ones would serve the purpose well if you just stick with them also.

 

[Bubbles0oO]

Ok, I think I may look into DIY...