If your red stems have grown that much - they do look big and bright - your light must be decent. I'm still interested to know specifically what it is though. The Marketplace here is a good place to find healthy plants for good prices. Aquabid is also a good resource. IF you live in the DMV area, I'm sure there are some decent shops in the Baltimore/DC metros. There used to be a really nice shop in Randallstown - don't know if it's still there or not. Don't know how close you are to SE PA but That Fish Place in Lancaster always has an excellent selection of commonly available plants (numerous crypts, stem plants, swords, anubias, etc) plus a great selection of fish and hardware.
Because you're growing mainly stem plants right now - root tabs are ineffective. Stem plants absorb their nutrients from the water column mainly so liquid ferts would be the way to go in your case right now. I've used Terta Flora Pride for years with excellent results - no nitrates or phosphates - only iron and potassium. you're getting nitrogen and phosphorous from fish food and fish waste. Root tabs are effective when you have root feeders, i.e. - swords and crypts.
Right now however I'd add more fast growing stem plants to continue to out-compete algae for the nutrients that you do have. When your tank stabilizes, then you can think about adding slower growers.
Because you're growing mainly stem plants right now - root tabs are ineffective. Stem plants absorb their nutrients from the water column mainly so liquid ferts would be the way to go in your case right now. I've used Terta Flora Pride for years with excellent results - no nitrates or phosphates - only iron and potassium. you're getting nitrogen and phosphorous from fish food and fish waste. Root tabs are effective when you have root feeders, i.e. - swords and crypts.
Right now however I'd add more fast growing stem plants to continue to out-compete algae for the nutrients that you do have. When your tank stabilizes, then you can think about adding slower growers.
