api or seachem root tabs?

[genocidex]

i NEED to get some iron in for my Alternanthera Reineckii Lilaciana. they are doing ok w/o any ferts in the soil but i think they can use some iron to make them come to their full color. i see api has more iron but not much else, seachem has less iron but more nutrients. also seachem has a better rep... something else i was thinking of dosing was iron in the water column too, but im not sure how well they would use the iron. also my other plants could do with some root tabs but not so much in the iron....

im leaning to the seachem and possible iron in the column....

[Cliff]

I have used seachem root tabs for my vals and I did notice a difference. I have never tried the API tabs

[mizzoutank]

I've used the seachem's with success as well.
I found the api's dissolved way to fast for me.

if you are specific to iron right now, have you explored any dry ferts to put in "caps" that are specific to iron? i know they make something like that here:
http://www.aquariumplants.com/AquaFe...TEM_p/fert.htm

[genocidex]

Well some of my other plants could probably use some extra nutrients but iron is specific to those plants because i know they are lacking in it due to them having green topped leaves. When theres enought light and iron the entire plant goes red it looks soo good with all the green with it.

Till i get a better feal for the plants / nutrients/light/co2 balance im going all otc products that should be just standard. Also im using eco complete with flourite (seachems planted substrate) so i think it will hold the nutrients well. I was thinking of trying my way with some osmocote diy pill ferts or the clay ball method.... But i wana see how root tabs would work first so i have a bench mark on how well they work and if they cause algae

[korith]

I used to buy whichever table was cheaper. At the moment I am using diy osmocote plus capsules, got them from someone on plantedtank.net . They give me the best price per capsule. Instead of buying prepared liquid fertilizers from pet stores, I buy fertilizers in powder form online that are much cheaper. Also give me the option of modifying how much of a certain ingredient I want to add to suit the needs of the tank.

The longer I stay in this hobby, the more I'm learning of cheaper methods to do things. The cost savings really do add up.

[Honey Badger 1]

If you can wait a few days for shipping I recommend these ferts. I have had good results from them and they are much cheaper. http://www.aquariumplants.com/AquaFe...TEM_p/fert.htm