MagTool Root Tabs Aquarium Plant Fertilizer, 70g Box

MagTool Root Tabs are a fertilizer for rooted plants in freshwater aquariums with sand or gravel. The box holds 70g, with 1g per root tab. Each tab supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements directly at the roots, and MagTool says the tabs are safe for fish, shrimp and snails.

Why root tabs

Heavy root feeders such as crypts and sword plants take most of their nutrients from the substrate. Plain sand and gravel hold almost none, so these plants slowly starve without a root supply. A liquid fertilizer mostly feeds the water column; tabs put food where the roots are.

Placement

MagTool suggests placing one tab every 5 inches in a grid pattern. Each tab covers roughly 25 sq.in. Push tabs deep into the substrate, about 3–5 cm from the plant roots, using aquascaping tweezers. The tabs sink quickly and do not float.

• For a single large plant, place tabs around the base rather than right under the crown.
• For a carpet, lay the grid before planting.
• Keep tabs fully buried so they do not release into the water.

How often

MagTool describes slow, steady release over 2–3 months. Replace tabs on about that schedule, and add new ones in fresh spots rather than on top of old ones. Keeping a note of placement dates makes this easier.

Water quality

Because nutrients release slowly, a buried tab has little effect on the water column. Digging up the substrate during a rescape can release some nutrients, so do a water change afterward.

Compared with others

Similar products include FZONE root tabs and Montorchid root tabs. In a nutrient-rich soil like hygger aquarium soil, you may not need tabs until the soil begins to run out.

Storage

Keep the box closed and dry, since moisture can make tabs soften or stick together.