Stupid Question

[MikeTag]

how do root tabs work? i know that sounds stupid but wouldn't they just dissolve in the water, and isn't that the same as liquid ferts?

[rich311k]

They go in the gravel and disolve slowly. The ferts should not enter the water column.

[MikeTag]

but what if you sealed gravel?

[Anomaly]

but what if you sealed gravel?

Sealed gravel?? Not following that . . . some people do report that some root tabs release ferts into the water column even though they're not supposed to do so. From what I've read about root tabs, Seachem's Flourish tabs are known to definitely not to release any ferts into the water column.

[MikeTag]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
like this for instance

[PUNISHER VETTE]

I own the seachem root tabs and i wouldn't be too positive they don't release stuff into the water.

Maybe not on their own but fish or human disturbance might put quite a bit into it.

I had what looked to be a puddle of moldy mush in my gravel once. Didn't know what it was so i poked at it. It was actually part of a seachem root tab that had disintegrated but hadn't disbursed yet. Once i disturbed it you could see parts of the mush float away.

I can only assume it was fertilizer...

Now was the tab not planted deep enough? possibly.

But root tabs are also easier for some plants to take up nutrients so...

[Anomaly]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
like this for instance

Ahhh . . . ok. That's not the best medium to grow plants in, but you can still use root tabs. The roots will often travel toward the tab.

Interesting, Punisher. I haven't run across anything like that yet. According to Seachem's web site and some other sources I can't remember off the top of my head, they're not supposed to release anything into the water column. You might consider letting Seachem know about it if you experience anything like that again. They have really great customer support.