What's the point of Flourite/Eco if tabs have to be added?

[Java Moss]

Have been googling around the web lately as I am considering once again on substrate - Flourite or Eco - and have read that many users of it strongly recommend root tabs in addition to those two substrates.

Why in the heck would Flourite or Eco be worth the trouble if it needs tabs? Supposedly, they contain the elements in Florurish tabs already.

Seems like a big waste of money if I purchase $100 worth of substrate just to keep running out every two months for a box of Flourish tabs like I did when I was growing crypts and swords in regular pet store gravel.

Somebody, please explain or clarify if I am missing something.

[vnghost]

For 40 bucks you can buy 1000 gel caps and a jug of osmocote plus and make your own root tabs way better than the flourish tabs. All substrates have their advantage and disadvantage. Eco complete is inert minus the water it's packaged in, high cec. Lets you take advantage of what you want to put into your substrate


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[BenderBendingRodriguez]

From my understanding these substrates have high CEC (cation exchange capacity), i.e. the substrate is able to hold onto ferts that you put into the water column and since the substrate is holding onto these ferts it makes your substrate more fertile. I don't think it's indefinite, but I think that it kind of acts as a buffer so if you were to not fertilize for a few days your plants wouldn't get hungry. At least that's how I understand it.

Plus I think flourite looks nice for whatever that's worth.

[GOJIRADOR]

Ive had success growing dwarf hair grass, HC, rotala and ludwigia in flourite with out the addition of ferts so I dont think it has to have tabs

[Java Moss]

Thanks folks.

Spoke to a LFS owner who grows low maintenance plants and he said "Tabs are necessary as a stop gap until the roots take hold of the substrate. One box should be fine"

That sounds do-able. So, I ordered 5 bags of black flourite for the same price sold on M.D. Pick them up on Tuesday.

Hopefully it'll be okay for my dojos. I figure if regular pet store gravel doesn't bang up their barbels, then Flourite shouldn't either.

[somewhatshocked]

Root tabs aren't just necessary until the plants take root. They're necessary if you want to provide nutrients to your plants throughout the life of your tank. Typically every 2-3 months you'll have to apply them. However, with a high CEC substrate, you'll likely be able to apply fewer root tabs because the substrate will absorb some nutrients and begin to release them.

Flourite is rather soft, so it should be fine for their barbels.

[TexasCichlid]

Eco-Complete has no nutrients. It has room for the storage of nutrients, though.

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

Root tabs aren't just necessary until the plants take root. They're necessary if you want to provide nutrients to your plants throughout the life of your tank.....

"What's the point of Flourite/Eco if tabs have to be added?" That's why I use dirt.

[Shimagoma]

Originally Posted by Java Moss

Thanks folks.

Spoke to a LFS owner who grows low maintenance plants and he said "Tabs are necessary as a stop gap until the roots take hold of the substrate. One box should be fine"

That sounds do-able. So, I ordered 5 bags of black flourite for the same price sold on M.D. Pick them up on Tuesday.

Hopefully it'll be okay for my dojos. I figure if regular pet store gravel doesn't bang up their barbels, then Flourite shouldn't either.

florite is cracked clay and is very sharp you should put sand or mix it with some gravel if you have barbel fish going over it, like corys



http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod.../Flourite.html
shows you whats in it. It has def helped with my plants in general. I dont use tabs i just use liquid/powder foods

[m00se]

Not necessary. Have you seen the native habitats of these fish?

[HD Blazingwolf]

Originally Posted by Shimagoma

florite is cracked clay and is very sharp you should put sand or mix it with some gravel if you have barbel fish going over it, like corys



http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod.../Flourite.html
shows you whats in it. It has def helped with my plants in general. I dont use tabs i just use liquid/powder foods

it has lots of stuff in it, about 1% is actually accessable to plants, the rest is baked into i never to be seen
i've kept delicate barbelled fish with flourite that never had an issue

[Knotyoureality]

Yep, I moved my corys from polished aquarium gravel onto flourite and--in direct constrast to all the claims of the damage it'd do--their barbels are longer and in better condition than they've ever been before.

[jhays79]

100 bucks for substrate? I think I will stick to 6 dollar bags of organic dirt.

[Diana]

Why in the heck would Flourite or Eco be worth the trouble if it needs tabs?

For the same reason you have dinner plates and add food as needed.

[m00se]

http://home.infinet.net/teban/jamie.htm