Do aquarium plants need fertilizer?

Do aquarium plant need fertilizer?

First of all, aquarium plant fertilizer are not same as those used for garden plants. Fertilizer was added to promote optimal plant growth.

Types of Planted Aquarium Fertilizers

(A) Liquid Fertilizers

o comes in liquid form, can pour directly into tank without any preparation;

o instantly available;

o best fertilizers for plants that absorb nutrients through their leaves rather than through roots.

We highly recommend 2Hr Aquarist APT All-in-One Liquid Fertilizers. This brand provides a series of comprehensive fertilizers for planted aquarium with different needs, APT Zero, APT Complete or APT Estimated Index. You may refer to the below picture to pick your ideal choice:

Photo from: https://www.2hraquarist.com/en-mk/pages/fertilizers

To illustrate,

• Use APT Zero if you have a simple setup with few plants or you have a planted tank with many live stocks in it to prevent excessive nitrates and phosphates which might result in algae growth;

• Use APT Complete if your tank is heavily planted with limited amount of live stocks as APT Complete provides higher concentration of macro nutrients to carter for the needs of aquatic plants, especially the more demanding high tech plants;

• Use APT Estimative Index ONLY IF you consider yourself as a hardworking expert! Estimative Index is a method that aims to provide the plants with excessive nutrients to ensure all plants are getting more than enough nutrients based on the belief that "Healthy plants are the best defence against algae", however, weekly water change is required when you're adopting this method.

(B) Root Tablets / Capsules

o plant fertilizers compressed into tablet or capsule form;

o small in size and suitable for aquariums containing inert substrates like sand or gravel;

o need to be buried beneath the gravel in around the plant’s roots;

o release the fertilizer slowly and gradually that the plant roots absorb;

o suitable for heavy root feeds plant;

o can be used for matured tank whereby the substrate nutrients are exhausted.

Here, we recommend 2Hr Aquarist APT Jazz, a highly effective root tabs for all types of planted aquarium. The simple usage is as per the picture below:

Photo from: https://www.2hraquarist.com/en-mk/products/2hr-aquarist-apt-jazz

What Fertilizer Should You Use For Each Plant?

• Root Tabs for Root Feeders：Cryptocoryne, Vallisneria, Nymphaea (Lotus), Carpet Plant such as Monte Carlo, Hair Grass etc.

• Liquid Fertilizers for Column Feeders：Stem Plants (Ludwigia, Rotala etc.) and Floaters

When and How Often to dose?

Depending the type of the fertilizers:

• Root Tab / Capsule:  Usually required to top up every 3-6 months

• Liquid Fertilizer : Dose daily or weekly depending the amount of plants and recommended dosage on the product.

Tips:

Dose according to the recommended dosage based on the conditions of each tank and monitor from time to time. Do not overdose as it will lead to algae bloom. Other factors including lighting, CO2 equipment, temperature, frequency of water change should also be taken into consideration.