DIY - Root Tabs

  • Get the NEW AquariaCentral iOS app --> http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1227181058 // Android version will be out soon!

Riiz

Apocalypse Pony
Apr 16, 2008
2,036
0
36
So Cal
Real Name
Eric
This guide is for everyone that asks about DIY tabs, since I could never find a real good guide through google, so with the help of Jake from Plantgeeks.net, I present my process and ingredient list. Enjoy

I use equal parts Red Pottery Clay and Plantex CSM+B, but you can tailor it further if you need more macros in the tank or have very little water hardness, etc.

You can add Potassium sulfate, Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt), Potassium nitrate or Calcium nitrate, etc. You can't add any phosphorus because it will precipitate with the iron in the Plantex and clay, as the clay is iron rich naturally.

The typical mix:
3/4 cup plantex csm+b
3/4 cup red pottery clay
2 tablespoons potassium sulfate
2 tablespoons epsom salt
2 teaspoons potassium nitrate.

If it were going in a well-stocked tank, I'd leave off the nitrate.

The trick to it is to add only as much water as you need. I use distilled water, but reverse osmosis filtered water would be fine as well. I use a syringe to gradually add the water, as it takes less than you'd think to mix it to the right consistency. You want to only add enough water, and add it gradually enough, until you can mix and mold the stuff and it's not sticking to anything.

I roll it into small little balls and sit it on some tin foil or wax paper to dry. I usually leave it to dry a couple of weeks or so. I do not bake them, and from talking with others, the results arent very good, they get fragile and crumbly after that.

From there I'd just use it like any other fertilizer tablet. They dissolve quicker than you'd expect, but they last long enough to get them in the substrate. From there it doesn't really matter because it's all trapped under the substrate. You don't want to hold one under water while you think about where to put it, but you have enough time to get it from your hand to where you want it in the substrate before it dissolves.


Hopefully this helps, especially with the cost of root tabs, and if you already have all the dry ferts, then the clay is the only real setback.

If anyone has question, post them here or shoot me a PM, thx.
 

Riiz

Apocalypse Pony
Apr 16, 2008
2,036
0
36
So Cal
Real Name
Eric
3/4 cup of CSM+b is about 1/4-1/5 of a pound. You could use more clay but then your just dilluting the micronutrients more. But this formulation makes about 200+ 1cm diameter balls.
 

1oooop

int x; if {x>1} {std::cout
Jun 5, 2008
799
1
0
29
here, there, everywhere
game.uctrl.net
Real Name
Brandon
hmm, seems nice... I'll maybe try this
 

ZachAttck

AC Members
Dec 13, 2008
21
0
0
Where would be an easy place to find these ingredients? If I get 200+ balls out of that I'm definately doing that in place of the Seachem Flourish Tabs that cost 7$ for only 10.
 

bushwhacker

old school newbie
Aug 2, 2008
1,585
0
0
67
westminster sc.
where can i find the red clay powder?
 

Riiz

Apocalypse Pony
Apr 16, 2008
2,036
0
36
So Cal
Real Name
Eric
where can i find the red clay powder?
I dont buy the clay in powder form, I buy it still hydrated from a Joann's. It was one of their large stores that stocks it as red mexican clay.
 
Last edited:

Riiz

Apocalypse Pony
Apr 16, 2008
2,036
0
36
So Cal
Real Name
Eric
Where would be an easy place to find these ingredients? If I get 200+ balls out of that I'm definately doing that in place of the Seachem Flourish Tabs that cost 7$ for only 10.
I never realized that I forgot to state sources of ingredients, maybe a mod can amend this info into the original post.

Red Pottery Clay - Joann's, labeled as Red Mexican Clay, sometimes labeled as Red Indian Clay too.

Plantex csm+b - aquariumfertilizer.com or greenleafaquarium.com

Potassium sulfate - K2SO4 - aquariumfertilizer.com or greenleafaquarium.com

Epsom salt - drugstore/grocery

Potassium nitrate - KNO3 - aquariumfertilizer.com or greenleafaquarium.com

Also I went through and checked prices, and if your buy your clay from Joann's, which I believe was about $10, and the chemicals from aquariumfertilizer.com (everything besides Epsom salts which are cheaper from the drugstore) which are $26 shipped. That $40 roughly, which will make make approximately 500 1mm balls+. Which is definitely cheaper than Flourish tabs.
 
Last edited:
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store