Flourish Tabs vs. API's Root Tabs

[TwoTankAmin]

The last time I poked my head into a root tab thread here, it almost got chewed off. That is because I use Jobe's spikes. You cant get much cheaper. If you are interested do a site search on them here to see the pro's and cons etc.

I will say I spent about 25 bucks 5 years ago to get the fern and palm spikes which are hard to find in the N.E. but easy in FL. I still have over 50% of what I got. If you can't find them, look for the the houseplant ones. However, be sure to avoid anything that contains any herbicides, insecticides or fungicides.

I also use the prior version of the API which were called Root tabs with iron and were more of a micro fert. But my supply of these is dwindling.

 

[vequalsir]

The last time I poked my head into a root tab thread here, it almost got chewed off. That is because I use Jobe's spikes. You cant get much cheaper. If you are interested do a site search on them here to see the pro's and cons etc.

I will say I spent about 25 bucks 5 years ago to get the fern and palm spikes which are hard to find in the N.E. but easy in FL. I still have over 50% of what I got. If you can't find them, look for the the houseplant ones. However, be sure to avoid anything that contains any herbicides, insecticides or fungicides.

I also use the prior version of the API which were called Root tabs with iron and were more of a micro fert. But my supply of these is dwindling.

I think I have some of the house plant ones in the garage. How do I know they will be safe? Do I just bury a piece near my plants in the tank?

 

[Fishfiles1]

why spend the money on tabs when you can get a good plant gravel like flourish agernite

 

[Ozymandias]

why spend the money on tabs when you can get a good plant gravel like flourish agernite

many heavy root feeder plant like swords and crypts benefit from more nutrients then fluorite or like substrates provide. it also centralized nutriant to the area that you but the tab in the gravel. this alows it so you can add a tab right under a big sword.

the only thing i would say against the house plant firtz sticks are thay have much different element make up (have ammonia in high percentrage) than the aquarium ones, because it was made for a turestrial plant which has much difrent nutriant needs.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I am looking at the Analysis of the Jobe's Spikes for Lush Ferns & Palms:

16-2-6
Total Nitrogen (N) 16%
2% Nitrate Nitrogen
10.5% Water Insoluble Nitrogen
3.5% Urea Nitrogen
Available Phosphate (P2O5) 2%
Soluable Potash (K2O) 6%
Derived from Ureaform, tripple Superphoshate and Potassium Nitrate.
Chlorine (CL) not more than 0.2%.
As you can see these are marcro ferts which is why I added the API tabs + iron :-0

I see no ammonia and the chlorine seems to be so little that it has no ill effects. I would assume dechlor neutralizes it anyhow. I have well water use no dechlor, have used Jobes for years.

Note- once a piece of a Jobes Spike (yes they can be cut to size ) is in one's substrate, it is best left alone. Pulling it up can result in more algae than you thought would fit in the tank.

 

[Ozymandias]

I am looking at the Analysis of the Jobe's Spikes for Lush Ferns & Palms:

16-2-6
Total Nitrogen (N) 16%
2% Nitrate Nitrogen
10.5% Water Insoluble Nitrogen
3.5% Urea Nitrogen
Available Phosphate (P2O5) 2%
Soluable Potash (K2O) 6%
Derived from Ureaform, tripple Superphoshate and Potassium Nitrate.
Chlorine (CL) not more than 0.2%.
As you can see these are marcro ferts which is why I added the API tabs + iron :-0

I see no ammonia and the chlorine seems to be so little that it has no ill effects. I would assume dechlor neutralizes it anyhow. I have well water use no dechlor, have used Jobes for years.

Note- once a piece of a Jobes Spike (yes they can be cut to size ) is in one's substrate, it is best left alone. Pulling it up can result in more algae than you thought would fit in the tank.

thanks for the info