What do aquatic plants need? Similar to terrestrial plants, aquatic plants require a supply of nutrients to grow well. This has been well studied in terrestrial science, and the chemical elements necessary for growth can be grouped into two major groups: Macro nutrients Micro Nutrients Used in large quantities by plants: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium […]
Above: brown algae (Diatoms) and plant melt is common in new tanks. When starting a a new tank, it is common for users to have seemingly ‘perfect’ water parameters and still face significant plant melt and algae. This is because the microbial (“beneficial bacteria”) community isn’t established yet. It is hugely important, but cannot be […]
Nitrate limitation is the term used by advanced aquascapers to describe the strategy of unlocking the deeper reds in selected plant species that respond well to those conditions. Nitrogen is the element that is used in the largest quantity in plant tissue besides Carbon/H2O. For many natural ecosystems the availability of nitrogen determines the overall […]
Does adding more iron make my red plants redder?
WHAT DO PLANTS NEED? Similar to terrestrial plants, aquatic plants require a supply of nutrients to grow well. This has been well studied in terrestrial science, and the chemical elements necessary for growth can be grouped into two major groups: NOTABLE MACRO NUTRIENTS CARBON makes up the majority of plant mass, followed closely by nitrogen, then […]
What Planted Tank Fertilizer should I use?
How to read fertilizer labels, and what is ppm ?
Root or water column fertilization?
When do I start dosing fertilizer into a newly setup planted tank?
Analysis of the Estimative Index (EI) nutrient dosing approach
Mixing dry aquarium fertilisers
Do 'root feeders' always do better with root fertilization?
'No ferts, no dosing, no CO2' planted tanks, how valid are they?
Analysis of the ADA nutrient dosing approach