So it's a bit of gamble/risk, you have to make sure it doesn't completely get out of the substrate in large amounts. So if you want to use it, you have to make sure it is deep within the substrate, so it isn't exposed out of the aquarium if that were to happen, you may experience some algae. All plants could benefit from it, in my opinion. They are definitely great for heavy root feeders such as swords and crypts. I substitute any brand name root tabs with Osmocote Plus filled in gel sized 00 capsules. I use Aquasoil Amazonia 2 as my substrate (it is getting old and the nutrients are finally waning, so that's why I'm using Osmocote) and I use a Eheim 2215 canister filter. I have timed T5 lights that go on and off during certain times, and timed co2. I am currently using Osmocote Plus DIY root tabs for my 60 Gallon High Tech. Hi Micheal, during my experience with it, I did not experience any fish deaths, but I have not tried any with dwarf shrimp yet. And if you are wondering, I have never used Osmocote in an aquarium, but I have used it on terrestrial plants, and to fertilize water lilies and other aquatic plants in ponds. I'm sure I haven't thought of everything, but that's enough for now. This can be as simple as, "I sprinkled a little on the bottom of the tank so that I could see lots of glass between the granules before I added the substrate."Įffect on plants? What species did you grow, and how did each perform? Did they grow well, or did they die? Which ones showed accelerated growth, and which ones stayed the same?Įffect on fauna? Did it kill the fish? Did the fish do fine, but the shrimp jumped out of the tank? Fish and invertebrates didn't seem to notice?Īny other problems or advantages? Algae bloom? Granules escaping from the substrate? Was it easy or difficult to use? How long did it last? You may not remember, or you may not have measured, but please give a reasonable description. Some examples: "I froze 1/4 teaspoon of Osmocote into each ice cube, then put one cube into the substrate about every six inches, for a total of 9 cubes in about 2 square feet of substrate." Or, "I mixed 20 ml of Osmocote in the substrate and spread it on the bottom of my 10 gallon." (10" x 20" = 200 sq. I suggest we try to use a volume measurement of the Osmocote per a given area of substrate. How much did you use? This is where the information usually becomes quite vague. How did you use it? Did you mix it with substrate when setting up the tank? Did you add it to existing substrate in an established tank? If so, did you put it in gelatin capsules, roll it into clay balls, freeze it into tiny ice cubes, or put each granule into the substrate with forceps one by one? (If the latter, you may have too much time on your hands, lol.) I assume that no one just throws the stuff into the aquarium, but correct me if I am wrong! For this discussion, we only want information on encapsulated time-release fertilizers intended for terrestrial plants. If you used a different brand, please say so. What kind of Osmocote did you use? There are several different formulations of the product on the market. What size tank, what type of lighting, what type of substrate, CO2 or not, what type of filtration or water circulation? To that end, I suggest the following format: Please make the information as specific as possible, so that we can make meaningful comparisons. I invite everyone who has used Osmocote in an aquarium to post their experiences in this thread. Now there are competing brands that function in the same way. I believe it was originally protected by patent, but this has expired. The product has been around for at least 35 years. When the capsules (or granules) and soil surrounding them are wet, the fertilizer inside moves through pores in the capsule by osmotic pressure into the soil. I hope that this thread will become that place.įirst of all, Osmocote is a brand name for an encapsulated time-release fertilizer sold for use with terrestrial plants. Many people are using Osmocote in their planted aquaria, but there does not seem to be one place where information about this practice can be found.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |