Bear Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I saw this on an American site & thought i would try it.I went to Bunnings a purchased Ozmacote pond ferts. I partially ground them up & put it in to 00 gel capsules. Placed a few around the roots of my plants & they are starting to develop nice dark leaves & are having a growth spurt & a half. The packet recommends replacing every 6 months or so. I am running DIY co2 and using Flourish Excel too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n5750547 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Interesting idea. Any links on where you got the info? I was going to buy some root tabs but I might do this... Tapatalk Note 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPA50 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Thanks a lot for sharing your find! Legend! I'll have a google and try and find it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Where did you get the capsules from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bear Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 [MENTION=11301]Lictoga[/MENTION] I got them from the chemist they are size 00 [MENTION=12160]n5750547[/MENTION] [MENTION=12412]SPA50[/MENTION] here is the link The Osmocote thread - Fertilizing - Aquatic Plant Central Cheers, Bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPA50 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Thanks mate. Hadn't got a chanxe to search yet. Muchly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bear Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 No worries mate. My crypts have gone crazy & are starting to throw out runners. It's worth a shot cause it works well. Just make sure they stay under the substrate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakey2277 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 There are HEAPS of vids on youtube about this Sent from my RM-821_apac_australia_new_zealand_218 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonboy69 Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Good idea how's it going. Are you happy with the progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-cee Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 A cheaper alternative is to just freeze the osmocote (I use the native plant one) in ice cubes then insert into the substrate. No need for the gel caps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubs Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 The small tubs of osmocote all contain wetting agents now (might be the blue beads - not sure). The commercial osmocote (20kg bags sold to nurseries) doesn't have the wetting agent. I know some people pick out the blue beads on the basis the old osmocote didn't have them so the aassumption is the blue beads are the wetting agent. I emailed the manufacturer and never got a clear answer. Not suggesting the wetting agent is necessarily toxic... The MSDS is pretty sparse: http://www.everris.com/Files/MSDS/au/03030220.pdf FWIW the "fish safe" osmocote for ponds plants also has blue beads (I think its just the same stuff stuck into clumps) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-cee Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I use to pick them out but after I saw the pond ones I stopped. No I'll effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Bunnings sell this product I still find Manutec Aquatic fertilizer tablets the best (N10%,P15%,k10%+trace) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Keep in mind these are designed for water lillies........ as in very heavy feeders. Over do it, and you will have the mother of all algae blooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiga Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Noob question: in aquaponics, they say fish poo/pee is a complete fertiliser, just missing trace elements and iron. So why do we need to add fertiliser to grow plants? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbeer Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 I have used osmocote native before for root feeders like amazons and crypts, I have since found the dinodung product much easier and a good mix of nutrients, and also a carded root feeder that I cannot remember it's brand ..... I like easy as a lazy fish keeper...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 A cheaper alternative is to just freeze the osmocote (I use the native plant one) in ice cubes then insert into the substrate. No need for the gel caps I was thinking the same but with gelatine or edible jelly! only because ice floats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakey2277 Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Yeh ice floats but not when its burried in the substrate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonboy69 Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Keep in mind these are designed for water lillies........ as in very heavy feeders.Over do it, and you will have the mother of all algae blooms. How much would you put to be on the safe side roughly say teaspoon per plant. Also how long should that last for as well. Before reapplying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 How much would you put to be on the safe side roughly say teaspoon per plant. Also how long should that last for as well. Before reapplying. I only use them in ponds. The one time I tried them in a fish tank, it resulted in phosphate readings so far off the chart it scared me off them for good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 The Bunnings product (as in pic) are small lumps, ready to be buried, no measuring needed. I've used them for heavy root feeders like Amazons swords and other Ech.ssp Never had a problem with algae, that comes from overuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonboy69 Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 The Bunnings product (as in pic) are small lumps, ready to be buried, no measuring needed.I've used them for heavy root feeders like Amazons swords and other Ech.ssp Never had a problem with algae, that comes from overuse. Did you put like roughly say a pinch or more or say teaspoon worth etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 Did you put like roughly say a pinch or more or say teaspoon worth etc if you read what I've written you'd see the stuff comes in ready to use portions. To be very clear here is a pic of the actual product I hope that answers your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonboy69 Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 Ok sorry didn't read just skimmed through my bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 The Bunnings product (as in pic) are small lumps, ready to be buried, no measuring needed.I've used them for heavy root feeders like Amazons swords and other Ech.ssp Never had a problem with algae, that comes from overuse. The ones I used were a sort of solid molded blue, they didnt look like the ones in your picture that almost look like a bird feeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
