Root tabs exploded. Panic!?

[Epivet]

I just attempted to place root tabs for the first timeon my 3 month old 29 g tank. I placed 7.  Two popped up and released contents into water column. 

I tested water parameters and they seem fine 15 minutes later.

 Inverts and fish seem fine so far.

 I am leaving them tomorrow for the first time for 2 days and I am having a panic attack😱

[Basrive]

My fattest cory cat dug up and ate a root tab. Should be fine if parameters hold!

[lefty o]

dont panic.  once the gel cap dissolves, the root tabs fertilizer is in the water column, no matter if its floating around, or in the substrate. everything inside the tank below the surface of the water is in the water column. there is no magic barrier between the water, and substrate.

[Epivet]

Thank you! Thank you!

 I will .monitor today and when I get back. 

Have a peaceful holiday 😊 

[Tanked]

Next time poke a tiny hole in the ends of the tabs.  This will allow water in and let the air out. 

[JoeQ]

7 hours ago, lefty o said:

dont panic.  once the gel cap dissolves, the root tabs fertilizer is in the water column, no matter if its floating around, or in the substrate. everything inside the tank below the surface of the water is in the water column. there is no magic barrier between the water, and substrate.

The age old root tab debate, and I can't resist fueling a robust discussion!! My question to this is: isn't the majority of the nutriends locked into the media and available to plants through root contact? Aren't root tabs essentially the same principal as using kitty litter in an aquarium? High cec media that resists leaching nutrients into the water colum?

Edited Wednesday at 10:31 PM by JoeQ

[lefty o]

17 hours ago, JoeQ said:

The age old root tab debate, and I can't resist fueling a robust discussion!! My question to this is: isn't the majority of the nutriends locked into the media and available to plants through root contact? Aren't root tabs essentially the same principal as using kitty litter in an aquarium? High cec media that resists leaching nutrients into the water colum?

the roots are in contact with the water, so if its in the water column, its touching the roots.😎

[JoeQ]

15 minutes ago, lefty o said:

the roots are in contact with the water, so if its in the water column, its touching the roots.😎

Technically (and the textbook definition of water colum), is the area between the top of substrate and the surface of the water. Unless we are talking about floaters roots, normally roots are buried in the substrate (below the water colum). 😎

Edited Thursday at 04:10 PM by JoeQ

[lefty o]

2 hours ago, JoeQ said:

Technically (and the textbook definition of water colum), is the area between the top of substrate and the surface of the water. Unless we are talking about floaters roots, normally roots are buried in the substrate (below the water colum). 😎

we can argue technicallities i guess, but unless somehow the substrate is dry, its in the water column. thats my story, and im sticking to it.

[JoeQ]

3 hours ago, lefty o said:

we can argue technicallities i guess, but unless somehow the substrate is dry, its in the water column. thats my story, and im sticking to it.

Way to commit to a position! I will gladly take the 'W' from a technically. My position is that only a small amount of nutrients leach into the water colum when placed properly. Ideally under the intended target plant.

[lefty o]

25 minutes ago, JoeQ said:

Way to commit to a position! I will gladly take the 'W' from a technically. My position is that only a small amount of nutrients leach into the water colum when placed properly. Ideally under the intended target plant.

nothing wrong with targeted, i use both liquid ferts, and tabs, but my take is still that if its wet, its in the water column.  nice problem to have, having options on how to fertilize.

[Solarpower]

I love the idea of a sinking root tab as a newbie who has had more root tabs float than stay buried. Pinholes is an option I guess 😶‍🌫️

[HelplessNewbie]

1 hour ago, Solarpower said:

I love the idea of a sinking root tab

Me, too! Maybe ACO can modify the root tabs so that they contain something heavier like sand?

[PonyPlantedTanks]

Wouldn’t worry. Whenever I don’t plug one deep enough my betta eats every gel piece he can find… little pig! He’s never had any issues and I’ve never had any issues🤷🏼‍♀️

[Epivet]

So, I got home from Thanksgiving and everyone was fine. Thank you for the support.😊

 I assume I should wait a bit before attempting this again. My nitrates went from 10 to 25ppm.

[morganmac]

My root tabs popped up in my first tank and I panicked because I didn't know what that white gooey stuff was. Never dreamed it would be the gel caps, since they were green when I put them in. Felt relieved and like a dummy once some nice folks on here pointed out what was happening, lol. 

 

I tried poking a hole with a pin when I put new ones in last week. So far, no pop ups, so I give that trick a thumbs up. 

[Solarpower]

Just one more thought on root tabs floating. These “tabs” are meant to target the roots and substrate. Losing the nutrients before during and after to the water column is a big loss in efficacy and value. Fertilizer is one of the biggest inputs so being efficient with that matters.

[Epivet]

Update. 

After all the hoopla I discovered a singular fry tonight. Not sure if it is a cherry barb or cpd

[Tanked]

14 hours ago, Epivet said:

Update. 

After all the hoopla I discovered a singular fry tonight. Not sure if it is a cherry barb or cpd

Early Christmas gift.