Root tab money saver...

[P4Angels]

Saw this on another sight and want to see what your opinion of it:

"Osmocote(outdoor and indoor) & gel capsules "00"

It's safe for the fish if used correctly, should not be used in tanks with critters that are sensitive to metals(ie. copper)Fill the longest part of the gel capsule all the way up and then cap it with the shorter end.Place a capsule under each "mother" plant and replace every 3-4 months(for the 4 month slow release kind) depending on how heavy of a feeder you plants are.My 1.25lb. container cost me $7. Hopes this helps, big money saver."

[Mugwump]

Not a bad idea, but I'd question the copper....lots of fish are a tad sensitive to it...what 'other' metals???....it would be ok for a just plant tank tho

[Ron Sower]

I have used Osmocote Plus and I dont believe it has copper.  If so, not enough to affect the Cherry shrimp in the 55g I was using it in.  I put the fert in flower watering tubes (florists use them on the cut stems of flowers to keep them fresh thru an event) in which I have Dremel-drilled small holes.  I cap it off and slide the tube into the substrate under the plant.  About every 2-3 months I refill them. I'm using them right now in my 54g corner bowfront tank.  The plants are doing fantastic and the Amano & Bamboo shrimp are doing very well.  I also inconsistantly use Seachem Flourish and Excel in the water column.

I haven't used the capsule approach.  The only disadvantage I see there is that the little beads' ''shells'' would be left behind in the substrate and be unsightly.  Have you seen this anyone?

I also know that some people will fill a plastic drinking straw to a level with the Osmocote, push it into the substrate, then pull the straw out leaving the fert in the substrate. I could see this also leaving the little bead-like shells behind too.

Good post Aron!

Ron