Are fertilizers bad for discus.

[goodoo]

Hi guys Was wondering about fertilizers. I have a planted tank with aqua soil and mainly swords some lotus and some other plants. Are fertilizers bad for discus. Was thinking of using seachem flourish.

[m.ingram]

I use seachem flourish with no problem

[BigDaddyAdo]

Swords and Lotus' dont need lots of ferts in the water column as they are root feeders. You would be better off using root tabs.

[Oonallee]

What are root tabs?

[swampy1972]

What are root tabs?

They're solid fert tablets that you push into the substrate near the roots of the heavy feeding plants.

You can make them yourself - lots of DIY tips on the net for them, or buy them ready made. Dino Dung is a good one, and best of all, cheap and Australian made and owned ;)

[Ghoti]

Balls of fertiliser, often mixed in clay, and dried into a hard form - like a tablet 8-)

You push them into your substrate near the roots of plants where the tablets dissolve leaving the nutrients locked in the substrate ready for consumption by your plants.

Cheers,
Scott

[Ghoti]

What are root tabs?

They're solid fert tablets that you push into the substrate near the roots of the heavy feeding plants.

You can make them yourself - lots of DIY tips on the net for them, or buy them ready made. Dino Dung is a good one, and best of all, cheap and Australian made and owned ;)

Just beat me hey Swampy!

[Oonallee]

That is fantastic!

Where do you buy them from? I had a quick google and couldn't find anywhere that sold dino dung. I have seen some API Root Tabs, are they the same and are they ok with discus?

[BobbyBruce]

Hi Oonallee,

API Fertiliser tabs are not the same.

See the bottom of this link http://www.aquagreen.com.au/catalog.html for a range of fertilisers and conditioners.

Regards,

Bob

[Oonallee]

Hi Bob

Thanks for that. Great site :)

[swampy1972]

Another handy trick I've picked up is to get some Ozmacote Native and freeze a some pellets in a small ice cube. Push the ice cube into the substrate and then you're not left with residual clay once the fert is finished..

[Oonallee]

full of good ideas swampy :)

[swampy1972]

Many would say full of "something", but I'm not sure they're talking about good ideas... :P :lol:

FYI, I do all my a lot of reseach about planted setup and maintenance using the 'aquariumlife' website.

[maxpayne40]

Just wondering myself about fertilizer, I have some anubus and swords but so far have just used a liquid fertilizer.

I have carbon in the filters so I think the fertilizer may be not as effective. Would those dino dungs be good to use as I have many a small gravel substrate with bronzies, peppies, BN, SAE and two discus.

Thanks again

[swampy1972]

I'd get rid of the carbon firstly anyway.. Mainly only good for removing remnants of medications etc, but it will also remove ferts from your water column. You're better served using that space in you filter for more media.
Tabs under your swords will definately help if you think they're deficient. Dino Dung won't harm any of your fish.

[xrboy_85]

Dino Dung can be bought of the age of aquariums website, bought $12 a pack