Country joe
Fishaholic
As above its mind boggling the amount of fertilisers for sale im looking for a recommended really good liquid fertiliser.
Are all aquarium fertilizers roughly the same
- Thread starter Country joe
- Start date
I've had 3 different fertilisers since I started keeping live plants. All had pros and cons. I've found my 3rd choice of API leafzone has ticked the boxes I need. I had one problem with my plants. Holes in the leaf, which can be a sign of potassium deficiency. The leafzone corrects this since one of its main ingredients is potassium. If you have a specific problem with your plants, try and find what is the cause and then select a fertiliser from there.
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Country joe
Fishaholic
Because I'm battling with blackbeard algae my Vallisneria is not growing and I'm getting a lot of brown leaves which I have to cut off, although I'm doing the right things, as you know it's difficult to beat, but I suppose there is no fertiliser that would be better?
Byron made a few recommendations for all round fertilisers - many products contain only a few of the minerals which plants need. None contain all of them but some contain more than others.
For UK, he recommended Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Tank (no other Flourish product, just this one), and TNC Lite (just Lite, not Complete)
For the USA , the Seachem product or Brightwell Florin Multi.
For UK, he recommended Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Tank (no other Flourish product, just this one), and TNC Lite (just Lite, not Complete)
For the USA , the Seachem product or Brightwell Florin Multi.
Country joe
Fishaholic
Thankyou will check these two out and go for one ot them.
Have just ordered TNC Light.
Have just ordered TNC Light.
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TwoTankAmin
Fish Connoisseur
My foirst fertilizer about 23+ years ago was Seachem's Flourish. I seem to recall at that time it was recommended one keep it refrigerated. But it does not contain any serious amount of Nitrogen or Phosphorus. If you look at most fertilizers they promote NPK- Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. These are usually referred to as the Macro nutrients. All the other ingredients listed for fertilizers are in smaller amount and are referred to as the Micro nutrients. Any fertilizer which contains both the macro and mircro nutrients is called comprehensive.
I was not satisfied with Florurish and bought their individual bottles of the macros
This was not a great solution for me. So I went looking for a better choice. I still have those 3 macro bottles today unused for the past 22+ years. In my search for help with plants I discovered Tropica. At that time and likely still today they are one of the worlds majoe producers of Aquarium plants and related supplies:
AT that time they could not sell their plants in the united states as our laws required plants coming in form other countries needed to be bare root and Tropica grew plants in tiny pots and they were not bare root. Things eventually changed as tropic clones pmats and also created a facility in the USA. So we can now get their plants here.
But way back then when I learned about Tropica and who they were and what they did, I figured they had to know about fertilizers and I began to buy their brand. If I remember right at the time it was called Mastergrow. Over the years the name changed and so did what they sold. Today they offer two liquid fertilizers for dosing into ones tank (they also offer a substrate ferts called Nutrition Capsules).
The two liquid ferts are a Micro called Premium Nutrition:
One quick comment regarding Excel. Some folks, including Byron, believe it is toxic for fish and inverts and will not use it. I can say from my over 20 years of using it this is not the case. However, I always use according to their dising directions. Some claim it can be used ass an algaecide. I do not support this view and have never used it for this.
I was not satisfied with Florurish and bought their individual bottles of the macros
This was not a great solution for me. So I went looking for a better choice. I still have those 3 macro bottles today unused for the past 22+ years. In my search for help with plants I discovered Tropica. At that time and likely still today they are one of the worlds majoe producers of Aquarium plants and related supplies:
AT that time they could not sell their plants in the united states as our laws required plants coming in form other countries needed to be bare root and Tropica grew plants in tiny pots and they were not bare root. Things eventually changed as tropic clones pmats and also created a facility in the USA. So we can now get their plants here.
But way back then when I learned about Tropica and who they were and what they did, I figured they had to know about fertilizers and I began to buy their brand. If I remember right at the time it was called Mastergrow. Over the years the name changed and so did what they sold. Today they offer two liquid fertilizers for dosing into ones tank (they also offer a substrate ferts called Nutrition Capsules).
The two liquid ferts are a Micro called Premium Nutrition:
- Contains iron, magnesium and vital micro nutrients
- Does not contain nitrogen and phosphor
- Suitable for aquariums with few or slow-growing plants and many fish
- Contains nitrogen and phosphor for fast-growing and demanding plants
- Also contains iron, magnesium and vital micro nutrients
- Suitable for aquariums with many and fast-growing plants
One quick comment regarding Excel. Some folks, including Byron, believe it is toxic for fish and inverts and will not use it. I can say from my over 20 years of using it this is not the case. However, I always use according to their dising directions. Some claim it can be used ass an algaecide. I do not support this view and have never used it for this.
For now keep it simple. Since you have ordered TNC Lite give it a chance. Its all I use and I'm happy with the results. Remember it will take several weeks to see the impact.
You mention vals. I struggled to get these to take, but I have very soft water and it prefers hard water. Since you're in Scotland chances are your water is soft. Don't give up if you want it. It literally took months to acclimatize to my conditions and then it suddenly took off. So much so that I have removed it from my tanks as I could not keep up with the trimming once it started its quest for world domination.
You mention vals. I struggled to get these to take, but I have very soft water and it prefers hard water. Since you're in Scotland chances are your water is soft. Don't give up if you want it. It literally took months to acclimatize to my conditions and then it suddenly took off. So much so that I have removed it from my tanks as I could not keep up with the trimming once it started its quest for world domination.
I don't know if you can buy it in the States but i mix my macro fertiliser from 20g KNO3 and 20g magnesium nitrate hexahydrate with 1L distilled water from a drugstore.
Phosphat i mix with 8g kaliumdihydrogenphosphat in 1l.
Usually i don't need to bring in phosphates, because there is way enough in the fish food.
Epson Salt is also important to regulate Ca/Mg balance.
For micro nutrients i use compo fetrilon powder and iron dtpa powder.
It's crazy how much cheaper it is to mix fertiliser yourself.
I buy ingredients every 2 years maybe.
Some will last for years...
Phosphat i mix with 8g kaliumdihydrogenphosphat in 1l.
Usually i don't need to bring in phosphates, because there is way enough in the fish food.
Epson Salt is also important to regulate Ca/Mg balance.
For micro nutrients i use compo fetrilon powder and iron dtpa powder.
It's crazy how much cheaper it is to mix fertiliser yourself.
I buy ingredients every 2 years maybe.
Some will last for years...
fishorama
Fishaholic
I belong to a plant club & the preferred ferts are dry individual 1s. Macros (NPK) are dosed separately from micros. Every other day with each & a big water change on the 7th. This was too finicky for me long term. for each different tank with different plants.
Vals can use co2 from the water surface so if that's your main concern, you don't need Excel. Vals also don't shed old leaves & those are most prone to bba (as are most other old slow to die plant leaves). Vals also prefer harder water as said. I have fairly soft water but enough minerals that my vals are happy (maybe too happy?)
For many plants I prefer root tabs I only need to dose every 3-4 months. Those are not all equal either & need is influenced by fish feeding & poo. It's a balancing act.
Vals can use co2 from the water surface so if that's your main concern, you don't need Excel. Vals also don't shed old leaves & those are most prone to bba (as are most other old slow to die plant leaves). Vals also prefer harder water as said. I have fairly soft water but enough minerals that my vals are happy (maybe too happy?)
For many plants I prefer root tabs I only need to dose every 3-4 months. Those are not all equal either & need is influenced by fish feeding & poo. It's a balancing act.
Terrestrial plants and aquatic plants differ in regard to nutrients.
In an aquarium containing fish, snails, shrimp and other creatures, you do not need to add nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K), to the tank.
If you have a heavily planted aquarium with no livestock (fish, shrimp, snails, etc) or only a small number of livestock, then you can add some nitrogen if you like. However, potassium and phosphorus are not needed.
Nitrogen is used by plants to grow leaves and stems. Fish, fish food and fish waste produce ammonia, which is an easy form of nitrogen for plants to take up. So if you are feeding the fish, they will produce all the nitrogen the plants need.
Potassium is used by plants to grow fruits and flowers. Most true aquatic plants don't produce flowers (Vallis does), and whilst marsh plants will produce flowers when growing out of water, they don't when completely underwater. Water Lilies, Lotus, Aponogetons and a few other plants will produce flowers in aquariums and ponds but most other plants don't. Adding Potassium to an aquarium is not normally necessary unless you have plants that flower. Even then it's not normally needed.
Phosphorus is used by plants to develop roots and thicken the cell walls, which makes the plant more resistant to diseases. Most aquatic plants have small root systems and take in most of their nutrients via their leaves. Phosphorus is also linked to algal problems in waterways and is not needed in an aquarium unless you have plants with corms/ tubers like Aponogetons, and these can do well without the addition of phosphorus. If you want to add phosphorus, make sure it is sealed under the substrate and can't leach into the water.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) isn't needed in a normal aquarium containing fish and other livestock because these organisms and the beneficial filter bacteria are constantly producing CO2 24/7. This means there is a constant and steady supply of carbon for the plants. If you have a heavily planted tank with no livestock or only a small amount of livestock, then you can add CO2.
The main nutrient aquatic plants need is iron to help with chlorophyll. Trace elements can be added if you like. The plant fertiliser I used was Sera Florena and it was primarily iron based and plants did well with that and nothing else added.
Adding all the nutrients in the world, including CO2 is pointless if you don't have enough light for the plants. If the plants don't get much light, they don't need many nutrients. If you have slow growing plants, they don't need as many nutrients either. If you have lots of light, and a heavily planted tank with lots of faster growing true aquatic plants, then you can add nutrients and CO2.
In an aquarium containing fish, snails, shrimp and other creatures, you do not need to add nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K), to the tank.
If you have a heavily planted aquarium with no livestock (fish, shrimp, snails, etc) or only a small number of livestock, then you can add some nitrogen if you like. However, potassium and phosphorus are not needed.
Nitrogen is used by plants to grow leaves and stems. Fish, fish food and fish waste produce ammonia, which is an easy form of nitrogen for plants to take up. So if you are feeding the fish, they will produce all the nitrogen the plants need.
Potassium is used by plants to grow fruits and flowers. Most true aquatic plants don't produce flowers (Vallis does), and whilst marsh plants will produce flowers when growing out of water, they don't when completely underwater. Water Lilies, Lotus, Aponogetons and a few other plants will produce flowers in aquariums and ponds but most other plants don't. Adding Potassium to an aquarium is not normally necessary unless you have plants that flower. Even then it's not normally needed.
Phosphorus is used by plants to develop roots and thicken the cell walls, which makes the plant more resistant to diseases. Most aquatic plants have small root systems and take in most of their nutrients via their leaves. Phosphorus is also linked to algal problems in waterways and is not needed in an aquarium unless you have plants with corms/ tubers like Aponogetons, and these can do well without the addition of phosphorus. If you want to add phosphorus, make sure it is sealed under the substrate and can't leach into the water.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) isn't needed in a normal aquarium containing fish and other livestock because these organisms and the beneficial filter bacteria are constantly producing CO2 24/7. This means there is a constant and steady supply of carbon for the plants. If you have a heavily planted tank with no livestock or only a small amount of livestock, then you can add CO2.
The main nutrient aquatic plants need is iron to help with chlorophyll. Trace elements can be added if you like. The plant fertiliser I used was Sera Florena and it was primarily iron based and plants did well with that and nothing else added.
Adding all the nutrients in the world, including CO2 is pointless if you don't have enough light for the plants. If the plants don't get much light, they don't need many nutrients. If you have slow growing plants, they don't need as many nutrients either. If you have lots of light, and a heavily planted tank with lots of faster growing true aquatic plants, then you can add nutrients and CO2.
Country joe
Fishaholic
I had the sera Florina. I couldn't believe the amount it recommended for a 200 litre tank was 50 mls weekly
That's not completely right.
In my sons aquarium we have about 10lm/l but, we had big problems with green hair algae. I could stop the problems by adding magnesium nitrate, what is nitrate source in the first place.
That kind of algae comes if nitrates is near zero.
I also run low light tanks with a bit of CO2 sometimes and i could see healthier plants.
It depends of the plant, but don't forget most aquarium plants aren't water plants in the first place. Staurogyne repens, wich i like very much is not possible to keep healthy submerse without CO2.
Most "easy" aquarium plants crack their carbon from carbonates from temporary hardness, what is called biogenic decalcification.
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