Aquarium Adviser

Your Best Resource for Aquarium Supplies

  • Aquarium Filter
    • Canister Filter
    • Power Filter
    • HOB Filter
    • Turtle Tank Filter
    • Betta Filter
  • Led Aquarium Light
    • LED Lighting for Reef Tanks
    • LED Lights for Planted Tank
    • Aquarium Light Timer
  • Protein Skimmer
    • HOB Protein Skimmer
    • Nano Protein Skimmer
  • Pump
  • Fish Tank
    • Betta Fish Tanks
    • Nano Reef Tank
    • 20 Gallon Aquarium Kit
    • Fish Tank Guide
  • Reviews
    • Aquarium Filter Reviews
      • Fluval FX4 Review
      • Fluval FX6 Aquarium Canister Filter Review
      • Fluval 306 Canister Filter Review
      • Fluval External Filter 406 Review
      • Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter Review
      • SunSun HW304B 525GPH Pro Canister Filter Kit Review
      • EHEIM Classic External Canister Filter Review
      • Hydor Professional External Canister Filter Review
      • Cascade 1000 Canister Filter Review
    • LED Aquarium Lights Review
      • Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light Review
      • Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light Review
      • Current USA Orbit Marine Pro LED Review
      • Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium LED Review
      • Finnex FugeRay Planted Aquarium LED Light Plus Moonlights Review
      • Galaxyhydro LED 55x3w Dimmable 165w Full Spectrum LED Review
      • Beamswork EA Timer FSPEC LED Aquarium Light Review
      • Koval 156 Led Aquarium Light Review
    • Protein Skimmer Reviews
      • SCA 302 Skimmer Review
    • Aquarium Heater Reviews
      • Hydor External Heater Review
    • Aquarium Air Pump Reviews
      • Tetra Whisper Air Pump Review
    • Reef Salt – Salt for Reef Tank
    • Coral Food
    • Turtle Food
    • Betta Fish Food
    • Cichlid Food
    • Tropical Fish Food
    • Aquarium Sand
    • Aquarium Water Conditioner
    • Substrate for Planted Tank
    • Substrate for Betta Tank
    • Sand for Reef Tank
    • Aquarium Gravel
    • Aquarium Plant Fertilizer
    • Countertop Water Filter
  • Equipment
    • Aquarium Heater
    • Aquarium Thermometer
    • Auto Top Off System
    • Aquarium Wave Maker
    • Aquarium Powerhead
    • Automatic Fish Feeder
    • Aquarium Chiller
    • UV Sterilizer
    • Aquarium CO2 Regulator
    • Aquarium Air Stone
    • Aquarium Filter Media
    • Aquarium Vacuum Cleaner
    • Aqueon & Python Water Changer
  • Blog
You are here: Home / Fish Tank Guide / How to Make Aquarium Plant Fertilizer?

How to Make Aquarium Plant Fertilizer?

January 5, 2019 by JameNgo 2 Comments

One of the ways to take your aquarium to the next level is using lush underwater plants to create a natural aquascape. Artificial plants just can’t compare to the real thing.

If you want your plants to thrive, fertilizer is a must.

Table of Contents

  • Do Aquarium Plants Need Fertilizer?
  • Store Bought vs Making Your Own
  • How to Make Your Own Liquid Aquarium Fertilizer?
  • How Much Do I Use?
  • Doing It Right

Do Aquarium Plants Need Fertilizer?

Plants need a lot of things to survive which is one reason why it’s so important to keep the water in your aquarium balanced and healthy.

Plants require a lot of macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They also have to have smaller amounts of micronutrients, too, like iron and manganese.

If any of these things is missing, your plants will not be at their best.

How to Make Aquarium Plant Fertilizer

As far as fertilizer, macronutrients are needed in larger quantities than micronutrients. That said, macronutrients do not need to be added frequently in a tank that has fish. The waste created by the fish and leftover food typically provide enough macronutrients.

Even though they’re only needed in small quantities, you really have to pay attention to micronutrients when fertilizing.

When it comes to fertilizing your aquarium, keep your fish in mind. The water affects them, too, so make sure whatever you’re using as fertilizer won’t harm the fish you have.

Store Bought vs Making Your Own

There are some risks when buying your fertilizer; namely, you don’t have control over the ingredients. Chelating agents to bind with the metal and keep it suspended which is important for your plants to absorb the metals then need. Not all fertilizers use an effective chelating agent.

Be wary of water conditioners, too. A lot of them eliminate metals from the water, which are an essential nutrient for plant growth and completely counterproductive to what you’re trying to achieve.

If you want total control over what you’re putting into your aquarium, making your own fertilizer is the only way to go.

How to Make Your Own Liquid Aquarium Fertilizer?

If you don’t want to buy your fertilizer from someone else, you can make your own so that you can tailor it precisely to your aquarium needs. Here’s what you need:

  • 2 teaspoons potassium sulfate
  • 1 teaspoon potassium nitrate
  • 5 tablespoons hydrated magnesium sulfate
  • 1 tablespoon chelated trace elements

Mix these ingredients with 1 ½ cups of distilled water and store the unused portion in the refrigerator.

There are chemical supply stores where you can find most of the ingredients. Aquatic stores or pet shops should be able to supply you with the rest.

How Much Do I Use?

How much you need to use depends on the size of your tank and the state of the water.

The best way to use this fertilizer is to test a bit of your water first. Testing kits are available that give you a good picture of where you stand.

When it’s time to add the fertilizer to the tank, take some water out of the tank into a separate container. Add the fertilizer into the container then slowly add it back into the tank.

It’s important to continue to test your water regularly so you know how often and how much fertilizer to add.

It will take you a few times of adding the fertilizer and testing until you can really determine exactly how much to add.

Doing It Right

By making your own fertilizer, you can create a recipe that is tailored to your tank and avoid all the things that could lead to problems.

It might take a little trial and error and a lot of testing, but in the end, your plants will benefit and you’ll have an amazing aquarium.

Fish Tank Guide

Comments

  1. Jim says

    at

    When using a test kit for calculating the correct amount of fertilizer, exactly what am I testing for? Nitrate levels?

    Reply
  2. shameel says

    at

    What is the chelated trace eliment. Is thes secrate ingridiuns. Pls help

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Whole House Water Filtration System

Best Whole House Water Filtration System

Best Whole House Water Filtration System – (2019 Reviews & Guide)

Fish Tank

Guide to choose the best fish tanks on the market today

Best Fish Tanks: Top 10 Picks in 2019 (with Reviews & Guide)

Canister Filter

Best canister filters for aquariums

8 Best Canister Filters for Aquariums – 2019 Reviews & Guide

Fish Tank Filter

Choosing the best fish tank filter on the market today

Best Fish Tank Filters – 2019 Reviews (Top Picks) & Guide

LED Aquarium Light

Choosing the Best LED aquarium lighting on the market

Best LED Aquarium Lighting for Plants, Corals – (2019) Reviews

LED Lighting for Reef Tanks

Choosing the best led lights

10 Best LED Lighting for Reef Tanks – (2019 Reviews) & Guide

RO Water System for Aquarium

Best RO DI System for Reef Tank, Saltwater Aquarium (2019 Reviews)

Aquarium Heaters

Best aquarium heaters reviews

Best Aquarium Heaters – 10 Safe, Effective Picks for Aquarium (2019)

Protein Skimmers

Best protein skimmer reviews 2017

Best Protein Skimmers for Reef, Biocube, Saltwater Tanks (2019 Reviews)

Recent Posts

  • 10 Best Freshwater Aquarium Stingrays – Types of and Care
  • 10 Easy Red Aquarium Plants – Keep Red Plants in Aquarium
  • Does a Betta Fish Need a Heater?
  • Why is My Fish Tank Water Cloudy?
  • 18 Best Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Beginners
Aquariumadviser.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, endless.com, smallparts.com, myhabit.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.

About | Contact | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms | Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

DMCA.com Protection Status

© Copyright 2016-2019, Aquarium Adviser · All Rights Reserved