Question About Plant Food Tablets

[marieukxx]

I bought these:
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium-Aquatic-Plant-Fertilizer-Food-Tablet-/250504141853?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3a5335dc1d

I pushed it into the gravel but when I cleaned the tank ll the balls had seperated and are all over the gravel which looks rubbish. Do they dissolve eventually, are they supposed to be like this?

Also if I have plants on stuff like my java fern on a rock will this benefit it as it's roots aren't in the gravel.

Thanks

 

[fleeing]

I think it's a good idea to push the tabs a bit deeper into the gravel. The idea is that they slowly dissolve, releasing their goodness, hopefully getting nutrients to the roots of your plants. If your spreading them on top of your gravel when cleaning, you haven't buried them deep enough. Some of the nutrients will get in to the water and maybe benefit your java fern, but they are generally used to help rooted plants, especially those that may not get so much from 'normal' fertilisers that are just added to the aquarium water.