Seachem's Flourish Tabs

[bkgodfrey]

I've had trouble keeping my plants alive in my 30 gl tank that is about 4 months old. I've got the correct kind of bulb in the tank and have that on for about 10 to 11 hours a day. My question is how to I use these tabs. I do not understand the directions. They state to insert one tab in the gravel for every 4 to 6 inch radius. Can someone please explain this to me. I dare say I'm a college student entering my senior year and maybe I'm just dumbing out on this one but I don't know what they mean. Thanks for your help!
-Kyle

 

[J double R]

its as simple as that.. shove one tab as deep into the gravel as you can, and hope it doesnt leach phophates into your water and give you an algae bloom.

 

[bkgodfrey]

Thanks, do I put the tablets right beside each plant? Also, is it best to pot plants or put them straight into the gravel?

 

[soobie]

Put the tabs in the gravel, 4-6" apart, in the planted areas of your tank. This won't work if you pot the plants, since the roots need to grow in the gravel to access the fertilizer tabs. If you're doing potted plants, you'd be better of dosing liquid ferts in the water.

 

[lovemybarbs]

The tabs didn't work that well for me. I'm started with the liquid last week.

 

[Rex Grigg]

The Seachem Tabs are mainly calcium and sulfur.

They are not a substitute for any kind of real nutrient regime.

I do question the "correct kind of bulb" though. If you are using the stock lighting fixture then that's most of your problem.

 

[cichlidkeeper91]

But your lights are on way to long without co2. You are going to get algae anyway with out co2 and a lot of light.

 

[bkgodfrey]

ok, ill start keeping the light on for less time, as for the bulb, it is not the stock bulb, i purchased another one specifically for the purpose of having live plants, thanks for the advice.

 

[Rex Grigg]

Alright. You answered the question without answering the question.

You are still using the stock light fixture but you wasted money on a "magic" bulb.

Start by going to www.theplantedtankFAQ.com then www.rexgrigg.com

A "magic" bulb will not and can not make up for the lack of raw power.

 

[necigrad]

I've got the correct kind of bulb in the tank

What was the name of the bulb? Temperature Kelvin? IS it a CF, T5? What is the wattage? These are the things those who know will want to hear to help. I'm not one of "those who know" BTW.

They state to insert one tab in the gravel for every 4 to 6 inch radius. Can someone please explain this to me.

Do you remember back in high school math where they talked about diamater and radius of circles? Well, this is what they're talking about. The radius of a circle is the distance from the outside of the circle to the center; the diamater is from the outside to the outside (one side to thte other). Applying this means each tablet will "treat" a circle 8-12 inches around, centered over the tablet. Basically 4-6 inches in each direction from the tablet.