Root tabs or aqua soil?

I need a nutrient-rich planted substrate for a future tank that will be heavily planted. I have used aqua soil previously with great results but after 8-10 months it degraded into a powder and got everywhere even clogging my internal filter impeller a few times which isn't great. So my question is this..

Would root tabs alone support a densley planted aquarium?





root tab in question

TIA

MattW said:

I need a nutrient-rich planted substrate for a future tank that will be heavily planted. I have used aqua soil previously with great results but after 8-10 months it degraded into a powder and got everywhere even clogging my internal filter impeller a few times which isn't great. So my question is this..

Would root tabs alone support a densley planted aquarium?

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View attachment 349725


View attachment 349726root tab in question

TIA

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I did organic potting soil capped with pool filter sand, or any sand works. For root tabs I use regular osmocote fertilizer, I put them deep into the substrate just as you would root tabs. First photo is how it started, and second is now. This for me has worked better than aquasoil. Still working on filling the right side in and having the front grow out, this whole tank was pretty much started by propagation cuttings

Aquasoil eventually loses its nutrients and needs to be "recharged" basically by adding fertilizer again. Seems expensive when you can just use the fertilizers from the get-go and use a more cost effective substrate.

Most aquatic plants take their nutrients from the water so root feeding isn't necessary for the majority of them. Echinodorus, Cryptocorynes, Aponogetons and Lilies/ lotus do take a lot of nutrients in via their roots but can also feed through their leaves. Root tabs with a liquid fertiliser is normally sufficient for plant tanks.

You can also make clay balls (or buy them as laterite). You get some red clay from the ground, roll it into balls about 10mm diameter and let them dry. Then push them into the soil under the base of the plants.