Fertilizing Plants

[jonboy]

My LFS sold me Hagen Plant Grow spikes. They claim that they will last 1
year after they are activated. Anyway, the sticks contain phosphates: Here
are the contents:

Total Nitrogen: 16%
7.5% Ammonical Nitrogen
8.5% Nitrate Nitrogen
Available Phosphates 9%
Soluble Phosphates 12%
Iron .45%

Anyway, these spikes have several other trace elements. My concern is that
I'm adding phosphates to my water and not enough iron. Should I pull these
plant tabs and buy Seachem Flourish tabs. I don't want to change my
substrate and thought that the tabs would work better then a liquid that you
pour in to the water. I could really use some advice.

Thanks

[Rick]

"jonboy" > wrote in message
et...
> My LFS sold me Hagen Plant Grow spikes. They claim that they will last 1
> year after they are activated. Anyway, the sticks contain phosphates:
Here
> are the contents:
>
> Total Nitrogen: 16%
> 7.5% Ammonical Nitrogen
> 8.5% Nitrate Nitrogen
> Available Phosphates 9%
> Soluble Phosphates 12%
> Iron .45%
>
> Anyway, these spikes have several other trace elements. My concern is
that
> I'm adding phosphates to my water and not enough iron. Should I pull
these
> plant tabs and buy Seachem Flourish tabs. I don't want to change my
> substrate and thought that the tabs would work better then a liquid that
you
> pour in to the water. I could really use some advice.
>
> Thanks
>
>

there are various types of plant tabs and all will contain phosphates. The
key to using them if you are going to use them is to bury them in the
substrate and then be careful when doing water changes that you do not bring
them back up from under the gravel. Doing so can cause a major algae bloom
in your tank. As far as iron is concerned it is difficult to measure and
usually the conditions of the plants indicate whether you have enough or
not. More can be added with liquid additives.

Rick