in a planted tank.We have a large box of them that we use for our house plants and was wondering if they work in a planted tank.
Can you use Jobs fertilizer sticks
- Thread starter maverick2402
- Start date
Please don't. There are chems in Jobe's that are specifically for terrestrial plants and can cause algae outbreaks when submerged. Don't ask me which ones, use the Search function here on AC and you'll see several threads on this very topic.
The other problem with them is that the N is at least partially in the form of amonia which would cause problems in a stocked tank. You can have lots of nutrients in the tank as long as they are balanced. Some of the nutrients in the Jobes spikes might leach faster than others and that would give you a imbalance which would lead to algae growth.
People do use them, but as I understand it they use the ones for ferns because they have a more compatible N-P-K to aquatic plants. I've never messed with them though so I can't say it works from experience.
The problem is NH4/urea presence otherwise we could dose regular terrestrial ferts to our tanks.
The type of stick does not matter, the NH4(called ammonium/ammonical nitrogen etc)/Urea does matter.
That's what causes the problems.
Use KH2PO4/KNO3 instead.
See www.gregwatson.com for dirt cheap cost and impecable service
Regards,
Tom Barr
The type of stick does not matter, the NH4(called ammonium/ammonical nitrogen etc)/Urea does matter.
That's what causes the problems.
Use KH2PO4/KNO3 instead.
See www.gregwatson.com for dirt cheap cost and impecable service
Regards,
Tom Barr
I would like to understand this. A little NH4, so what? It can't be taken out by the filters, the plants? I realize the relationship between NH4 and green water but really 2% urea? What real harm is there in adding one of these things deep in the substrate to provide for rooted plants? I find that hard to believe. 50 of them are $1.97 is pretty **** cheap and easy.
I can understand that I don't want too many of these things in my tank, and it probably would not be good to use this as a major supplement, but compared with most other things, flourish tabs, eco complete, onyx sand this stuff is cheap.
I can understand that I don't want too many of these things in my tank, and it probably would not be good to use this as a major supplement, but compared with most other things, flourish tabs, eco complete, onyx sand this stuff is cheap.
It's not when they are deep in the substrate, it is when you pull one up later after you forgot about it in 2 months.
I have warned you, you can learn the hard way on your own. You may be okay for awhile, but at some point, folks pull them up when up rooting, cleaning etc.
The risk is not worth it for most folks. You really do not get that much gain out of them either. You get what you pay for in this case.
You could argue the same thing about DIY CO2 as well vs pressurized.
Regards,
Tom Barr
I have warned you, you can learn the hard way on your own. You may be okay for awhile, but at some point, folks pull them up when up rooting, cleaning etc.
The risk is not worth it for most folks. You really do not get that much gain out of them either. You get what you pay for in this case.
You could argue the same thing about DIY CO2 as well vs pressurized.
Regards,
Tom Barr