bshenanagins
Aquarium Advice Addict
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2013
- Messages
- 1,583
Well the little beads not powder but yes. Easy and cheap in the long run
Are you using API root tabs? It sounds like them an IMO they suck. As for the osmocote, I was shock at how they hold up in a tank. I just seeded a bunch around my plant a week or so ago and I guess I didn't get one deep enough and it got dug up by a Cory. Anyway, it looks exactly the way it did when I put it in. No swelling or funky dissolving.
Yes API root tabs. It is great for iron but creates stinky tank.... I need another iron choice. Seachem tabs do not have iron. API they dissolve VERY fast! Have to vac out W/in a week.
So the gelatin capsules didn't dissolve? (That's what everyone on here said to get to make your own Osmocote fert,, )
Even after a week when Cory dug it up? Doesn't seem to work then.? Or give it time to dissolve ?
Is that how you use it? "Make your own"
I second the vacuum question. I don't see how the tabs would surface and make a mess unless they were not planted properly. I too force them in as deep as possible and my corries really only skim the surface I've never seen them actually penetrate my substrate. Also, vacuuming a planted tank is not ideal. Whereas a normal tank you want to get rid of the nitrogen elements, plants benefit from the gunk and debris that can accumulate within the substrate. Of course the exception is what remains on the surface in which can be vacuumed. Stirring up the substrate is also extremely stressful on fish as it will initiate ammonia spikes.
Just curious... I was searching on amazon for Osmocote plus and in those results a fert called dynamite organic all purpose fertilizer came up. I tried looking at the list of ingriedients from the manufacturers site but the site never would load... It said it has both micro and macro nutrients. Has anyone ever tried this as a DIY fert? For amazon pricing, it's about $10 cheaper than Osmocote plus and it qualifies for super saver shipping while Osmocote plus doesn't (sorry, I'm a cheapo at times lol)
I actually spotted this yesterday in a garden store and picked it up for $6. Very similiar ingredients to Osmocote Plus but I believe it's only Micro's in the one I got. Gonna give it a go in a month once my API tabs run their course
You could do us both a solid and post a thread with the ingredients asking some senior members if its safe lol. Even osmocote plus can potentially be dangerous if dosed incorrectly. I have inside outside osmocote too and it's biggest flaw is lack of iron.
I don't vacuum my planted tanks. I bury my DIY Root Caps as deep as I can. Why are you vacuuming your Root Tabs ?
There are DIY Caps w Iron. A seller had them on here in the Mart section and on TPT.
I vac the substrate very well once a week because of Corys. I've lost a couple to Barbel Rot. Then infection.
Regardless of plants liking the gunk in gravel.
I vac the substrate very well once a week because of Corys. I've lost a couple to Barbel Rot. Then infection.
Regardless of plants liking the gunk in gravel.
Forgot to mention a Pleco. (Poop machine) I have 7 different species of Cory's in my 40g and 15 live plants, only Crypt W. do I root feed. Everything else seems to do ok with Flourish and Excel dumped in water. 4 different Anubias, water sprite, some kind of grass, ferns, and something in the back that grows like crazy, you can look at my pics in my profile if you want to.