Can I use fertilizers for plants as root monster?

[shaman]

I just bought a packet of slow dissolving fertilizer for orchids from NTUC.
Wonder if it can be used underwater?

[|squee|]

IMHO I don't think it's suitable, since they are probably very soluble and contain large amounts of ammonia or ammonium. You'll have to make very sure none of the substance gets leeched out of the substrate.

Of course I have not tried this myself, so it's just a IMHO post.

[juggler]

Since you already bought it, might as well try.

Put a little bit under some of the plants and observe over time. It shouldn't cause any problem unless you keep uprooting your plants and exposing the fertiliser stick to the water column.

I have tried Horti fertiliser sticks meant for ferns and the Echinodorus and Aponogetons love it.

[shaman]

Thanks guys,

I think I will put a bit to try on my glosso.
The reason i bought is coz its very cheap. Only $2. The rootmonster can cost me up to $15

[vinz]

Well, you can try it, but be careful. Make sure it's buried deeply. It's ammonia and urea that trigger algae blooms. If the ingredients show that this items are present, then there is a risk of algae bloom if they get exposed by uprooting or digging.

[shaman]

How deep should they be buried?

My tank has about 5 cm to 8 cm lapis gravel. and glosso seems to be only having shallow roots. Any suggestion on how to bury?

Thanks!!

[vinz]

As deep as possible. Glosso should be getting most of it's nutrients from the water since their roots are so shallow.

[ranmasatome]

actaully their roots not shallow la.. you mostly only see the big roots when you uproot them... they also have fine ones that look like hairs and those can go pretty deep..