I know people use Miracle grow organic potting mix in tanks. What I'm wondering is if there are any other types of fertilizers that can be used instead of root tabs? That is fish safe of course..
Root tabs are expensive and run out quick.

i use the little jobes spikes just break them into about thirds and put where needed

Can you use liquid plant food, like the kind that you give to houseplants?

I suppose you could use liquid but as to how much per gallon of tank water I have no clue

How long have you been using them? What type of Jobes spikes do you use, the house plant type? How did you know it was safe to use with fish?
I know lots of questions.. Thanks

well for about 2 years, fert is fert it is just a matter of the numbers, I use the cheapy 99 cent ones I heard the ones for palms and whatever is a bit better, and safe because you are using them in your house for houseplants with kids and pets around them plus I have heard of others using them..I only once turned my water greenish for a few days because I used like way too many lol but it only lasted for like 4 days

Anything with urea and manure, stay away, which is pretty much a lot of garden ferts.

You'd add too much nh3 to either kill or start an algae-fest.

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I've used them too. Just have to make sure to bury them well and if you happen to disturb one, do some big water changes. I didn't do that once and had a huge Green Water outbreak afterwards.

+one.
Too much urea found in many of the house plant fertilizers by % will kill fishes and or encourage algae.

Thanks everyone for answering, I figured there might be some other options for fertilizers.
Stone454 since you been using them for 2 years I'm guessing you see good results from your plants with them? Is that the only type of fertilizer you use in your tank?

Yes they work well, its the slow release part of it, I used to be all crazy and do the liquid ferts but be it I am staying away from co2 and the high tech set ups even with excel with liquid ferts it's a very fine line to have an awesome looking tank with good plant growth and a tank full of BBA. I will still do liquid ferts but a small small dose and only like 2x a week instead of daily and that's on my nano tanks.

I appreciate you telling me about the spikes, I been wondering for a while if there was something cheaper than root tabs that would do just as well.
Here's a link so I can be sure if this is what your using.
http://www.kmart.com/jobe-s-fertiliz...W043867811000P

those are them go to wally world they are cheaper there

The best root tabs ever:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums...d.php?t=308735

Thanks for the link! I appreciate it. It looks like lots of folks have wondered what else could be used in our aquariums other than expensive root tabs. This gives another good option.