umfalcon Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Hey everyone, My Amazon Swords were not looking too good, so a few weeks ago I gave each of them a single root tab. I am seeing a bit of a rejuvenation but not as much as I would like. Should I wait a while before using more root tabs or go ahead and provide the Amazon Swords with more root tabs now? I used Flourish tabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Patience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 ive had a few amazon swords just sort of hangin' on for a few years. started with easy green, and it maybe gave them a little perk up, then a few weeks ago i put 2 co-op root tabs in the substrate with each plant, and it perked them right up. i havent used the flourish ones, but id take a shot at adding another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmonger_X Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 I think adding another near each sword won't hurt anything. Swords get all their nutrients through their roots. It sounds like yours have been pretty starved out. A little extra goodness should only help them recover more quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umfalcon Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 Yeah, you’re right; they have been pretty starved out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Fish Den Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 You could put another one on the opposite side of the first one you put in. I have several swords and I start out putting one tab under and when I start to see some growth xing in, I add another. I have a large red flame sword in my 93 cube display tank that I actually put four tabs under each month. I do bi-weekly water changes on the tank, so each time I do, I put two tabs under it, which seems to work good for it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umfalcon Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 Ok. Sounds like good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Cory Posted November 25, 2020 Administrators Share Posted November 25, 2020 Are the plants new? They may be melting back and converting. Otherwise sword plants use a lot of root tabs. When small maybe one a month is ok, but 3-4 months later they're probably eating closer to 6 root tabs a month. You can't really over fertilize with root tabs, unless you let them get above the substrate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umfalcon Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 Cory, thanks for the excellent advice. The plants are actually four years old or so. Also, thanks for the general advice about root tabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 1 hour ago, Cory said: Are the plants new? They may be melting back and converting. Otherwise sword plants use a lot of root tabs. When small maybe one a month is ok, but 3-4 months later they're probably eating closer to 6 root tabs a month. You can't really over fertilize with root tabs, unless you let them get above the substrate. Do you space them out or push six in at one time. I have a couple of large Amazon’s that are struggling currently. I’ve been putting a couple of tabs a month in the substrate, but I think I need to increase how many I use or put them in more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Cory Posted November 25, 2020 Administrators Share Posted November 25, 2020 I usually put a bunch in at one time. The nutrients sit there till used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 That's good to know, I was wondering if I could use too many root tabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolstoy21 Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 On 11/24/2020 at 9:24 PM, Paul said: Patience Definitely good advice. With plants, aquatic or otherwise, you have to learn to adjust one thing and then just wait. Plants don’t turn around overnight. It could take a few weeks before you notice any change at all after putting in root tabs. Resist the urge to make additional changes until some time passes and you’ve spent time observing your plants. And as Cory stated, put a bunch of root tabs in. Don’t be shy on using them. I put 6 to 8 under large swords and replace those every 3 ish months. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 I purchased a Red Melon Sword about a month ago. Planted it with 2 root tabs close. I am bad as I can't remember how many I have added in the general vicinity since. I am using EasyGreen but struggling with how much Nitrates to keep in my water. Most of the tall leaves have melted and been trimmed. The new growth looks good but then changes to reddish but see through like they are dying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Pearl Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 @Tami Root tabs, root tabs root tabs. Your Melon sword looks way better than mine and I'm injecting CO2! I'm sure I need to insert more root tabs. I'm having a challenge with this though. I need more roots to hold the plants in, as when I insert the root tabs, the plants up root - Ugh! As others have said, gentle persistent care is what plants need. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 @Dandy PearlI have at least 5 in the area close by - that's my guess, I keep hearing Cory in his video say "root tabs, root tabs, root tabs" but was worry about using too much - BUT I just added 2 more within an inch of the base - theres soooo much to learn and I WANT IT ALL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 my sword today - the leaves just fell off when I moved them around 😔 hope it comes back, there are a bunch of tabs around it and i lowered my light setting to fight off algae. before and now. I keep my nitrates around 30 and the fish are happy, turn air off at night so CO2 can build up... still learning and not giving up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 I'm finding that I have been underfeeding with root tabs as well. I thought I only needed to replace them every 3 - 4 months... but I guess all of my plants would rather I do them every other week or so... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat_Rigel Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 On 11/25/2020 at 11:55 AM, Cory said: Are the plants new? They may be melting back and converting. Otherwise sword plants use a lot of root tabs. When small maybe one a month is ok, but 3-4 months later they're probably eating closer to 6 root tabs a month. You can't really over fertilize with root tabs, unless you let them get above the substrate. 6 tabs a month?! Ok then, I need to up my game! I have a massive sword who has really appreciated the root tabs, but Im still only doing about 1 a month (and that's more than what I was initially using; I was proud of myself for upping the dose lol) I suppose crypts, crinums, and other root feeders are not as voracious? Either way, its a great excuse for another Co-op order. 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 Im in the same boat. I’ve been putting a tab around my swords every 2-3 months and they are still struggling. I didn’t realize I would spend so much hobby money on Root tabs. Haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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