Root Tabs

Iv used API root tabs for a lil while now they have improved the plant growth a lil bit IME but I don't know if that's just me.

They are great for heavy root feeders like swords just be careful and don't use to many of them or you could find yourself dealing with a large algae bloom, speaking from experience

yeah the instructions on mine say to use the whole pack of 10 in a 20 gallon or so. i just put it near the plants that feed from their roots.

The API ones give a great initial boost to growth but break down really fast. I haven't had algae from them but I can see it being a cause for concern since it breaks down so easily. Fiancee bought some last month. You can feel them liquefying in your hand as you put them in the tank. Plants took off then tapered quickly.
I have only ever used the Flourish ones and never had any algae issues. They last for up to a few months.
I guess think of the API as a fast burn and the Flourish as a slow burn. Say if I was going to enter my tank in a contest or something and wanted a really fast growth spurt, I might go with API. But for long term I stay with Flourish.

Make sure you bury them very deeply. Try to find good places where a few plants will get some. And only use them if you have heavy root feeders like vals, swords, crypts, blyxa, etc.

I think they are worthless if you do heavy dosing of fertilizers in your water. If you have a low tech setup, then they might do some good.
Also, every time I disturb the substrate, I get a case of cloudy water.. :headshake2:

I agree with echo and jag. Go with slow dissolving Flourish tabs and only if you have a low tech setup.

I have low-tech and flourish tabs... planning on adding other ferts and DIY CO2 eventually (just haven't got around to researching enough yet to begin)...

I believe I noticed a big difference after just a few days. Most of my plants were looking OK- but my sword was in bad shape- in part because of new sand substrate and cloudy water... it looked bad when I got it... and I guess lack of fert.

I'm not sure if it was the water clearing (so light could get to it) - me pruning the dead leaves- or the seachem flourish fert tabs- but over the last week it has started to grow a couple of very healthy new young leaves.


I have since read someone alluding to the fact that corydoras can get sick from fert tabs though? Anyone knowabout this?

I would use them regardless of the setup, especially when it comes to heavy root feeders like blyxa, crypt, sword, etc. Sure water column ferts do great, but with root tabs you save money and effort.