Tewhitte Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Hey y'all I just added Co op easy root tabs to my fluval stratum and four hours later these appeared in my tank where I had put the tabs. I made sure they were to the bottom so they wouldn't float up. Will these hurt my fish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tewhitte Posted July 13, 2021 Author Share Posted July 13, 2021 And what is it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Stratum is pretty light weight right? maybe that's the gelcap expanding and floating out? gel caps dissolve pretty slow in cool water. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tewhitte Posted July 13, 2021 Author Share Posted July 13, 2021 Should I just leave it? It breaks apart when i try to get it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom240 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 On 7/13/2021 at 7:11 AM, Tewhitte said: Should I just leave it? It breaks apart when i try to get it out It's just gelatin. Harmless, pure protein. If you have any snails, they'll take care of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 So if the gel cap came up, just think where all the fertilizer went!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 On 7/13/2021 at 8:51 AM, Mmiller2001 said: So if the gel cap came up, just think where all the fertilizer went!!! I think the tabs are little nutrient enriched clay balls so I assume they stayed in the substrate unless you can see them too On 7/13/2021 at 5:11 AM, Tewhitte said: Should I just leave it? It breaks apart when i try to get it out As phantom says it's no problem. If it's ugly and you don't want to look at it for the next day you could probably siphon it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 On 7/13/2021 at 10:59 AM, CT_ said: think the tabs are little nutrient enriched clay balls so I assume they stayed in the substrate unless you can see them too Pulled one apart, it looks like powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 On 7/13/2021 at 10:25 AM, Mmiller2001 said: Pulled one apart, it looks like powder. Huh, Interesting! I know Cory said it's okay if they escape into the water column in terms of animal safety Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefConfit Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 As others have said it's the gelatin that the outside of the tab is made of. The way they are made there's always a little air trapped inside and when used with lighter weight substrate I think that's the cause of this. Some people with this problem have reported success with poking holes in the ends up the tab with a push pin to allow the air to escape. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben_RF Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Yup its the gel on the outside. Honestly, my bottom feeders make quick work of it within 1 to 4 days typically (or maybe it just fully dissolves?). And yup, the tanks that I have fluval stratum i always get one that floats up out of it due to how light it is. As far as I can tell, the new nutrients remain either in the substrate or just on top. I have had no problem with plants even if the gel tab works it way to the surface. My fish and plants seem to do perfectly fine and I have had this happened numerous times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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