Aquarium plant fertilizer are essential for if you have live plants, as it will encourage plant growth and keep your tank healthy, it might even help your fish too. Just be careful you select a fertilizer that is right for what you have in your tank.
Choosing the right plant fertilizer for your aquarium is absolutely important because you want to make sure that all of your aquatic life can co mingle with the fertilizer. Make sure you are not using anything that can harm the fish in your tank.
We will help you with your decision, and give you some good ideas of things you need to look out for, and we will also provide our choice for what we think are the best plant fertilizers for your aquarium.
Aquarium Plant Fertilizer Reviews
Thrive Planted Aquarium Fertilizer
This planted aquarium fertilizer is manufactured by Throve and you can treat up to a 2500 gallon tank with just one bottle, making this a great option if you have a large tank.
Not only will this product help your plants grow and thrive, it has the added bonus of also preventing unwanted algae from growing in your tank. The pump bottle is easy to use.
You are eligible for a full refund if you are not satisfied with the product, which makes it a no-risk purchase.
The nutrients in this bottle offer your plants everything they need, and with just this one bottle you can safely feed all of the plants in your aquarium. Since it has such strong nutrients, you might find yourself changing the water in your tank frequently.
Pros
- Fights off algae.
- Can work on a 2500 gallon tank.
- Pump bottle for easy distribution.
Cons
- Might require frequent water changes in your tank.
- Some fish do not flourish and thrive with this in the water.
Aquarium Plant Root Fertilizer Tabs
This particular fertilizer comes in tab format, not liquid format. It is a back of 40 tablets that release slowly to last over a period of time.
It is best for tanks that have beds of gravel, and will supply your plants with lots of nutrients to help them grow.
It is recommended that you place tabs 3-6 inches apart and replace them every 3 months. This could mean you are going through tablets frequently. The tabs can also crumble, making it difficult to place them under the gravel beds.
You can use this product in a tank with shrimp, as it is placed under the gravel and under the plant roots, so the shrimp should not bother it.
Pros
- Contains more nitrates and vitamins than some competitors.
- Package re-seals, and you can easily store unused tablets.
- Safe to use with shrimp and all fish.
Cons
- Do not last a long time, and you might be regularly adding tabs to your water.
- Crumble when they hit the water, and might not make it to below the gravel where they belong.
Seachem Flourish Freshwater Plant Supplement
Containing all the minerals and nutrients necessary to promote plant life, this product from Seachem is a great option for your plants in freshwater tanks.
It uses an advanced formula that helps plants absorb minerals and also fight off disease. With the use of this product, your plants should have a long, healthy life.
You should use this product daily for best results, and use 1 capful of product for every 20 gallons that are in your tank. Make sure you read the directions carefully, and use the right amount for your particular tank.
There is copper in this product, which means it would not be ideal to use if you have shrimp. However, most fish seem to love it, and you can use it safely with any fish in your aquarium.
Pros
- Advanced formula high in minerals and nutrients.
- Plants look greener and more alive after using this product.
- Stimulates growth, so your plants increase in size.
Cons
- Cannot be used in saltwater tanks.
- Need to use daily for best results.
- Copper in this product mean you cannot use it if you have shrimp.
API Leaf Zone Plant Treatment
This plant fertilizer is intended to be used weekly, and you should add about 5ML of product for every 10 gallons of water in your tank.
The iron and chemicals in this product are designed to prevent your plant leaves from decaying or turning yellow in your freshwater aquarium.
This product is designed to help your leaves maintain color and not turn transparent due to a lack of potassium. Using this product ensures that you will always have vibrant plants.
You can use this product in conjunction with an under gravel filtration system.
Pros
- Do not need to use this product daily.
- Plants will flourish.
- Can be used with different filtration systems.
Cons
- Recommended to use in conjunction with another product.
- Cannot use in saltwater tanks.
Fluval Hagen Plant Micro Nutrients for Aquariums
This product has a lot of the similar minerals as its competitors, but it also has Vitamin B, which will only help your plants flourish even more!
Designed for freshwater tanks, you should see your plants growing bigger and faster than if you did not add this fertilizer to your tank. Water clarity is not affected by this fertilizer, so your water should stay fairly clean.
Add this to your tank about once a week, which is also about how often you should change the water in your tank.
There are small amounts of copper, so it would not be ideal to use if you have shrimp in your aquarium.
Pros
- Contains an extra nutrient in Vitamin B.
- Water clarity remains.
- Plants react quickly to this fertilizer.
Cons
- Cannot use with saltwater tanks.
- Requires frequent water changes.
Glosso Factory All in One Planted Aquarium Fertilizer
Glosso Factory makes a fertilizer, and one 16 oz. container can treat an entire 4,730 gallon tank! Use 1 pump for every 10 gallons of water your tank holds.
Designed to fend off unwanted algae, the minerals in this product are going to help keep your tank balanced.
More densely packed aquariums are going to need this product be applied almost daily. But, the less you have in your tank, the more infrequent you will need to apply the fertilizer.
You will need to change your water as often as twice a week, depending on if algae is growing, and it is not a good product if you have shrimp, as it does contain some copper.
Pros
- Can treat tanks up to 4,730 gallons.
- Designed to fight off algae, and have minimum water changes in your tank.
- Plant growth accelerates rapidly.
Cons
- Densely planted tanks require this product be used 5-7 time per week.
- Possible bi-weekly water changes.
NilocG Aquatics Highly Concentrated Aquarium Plant Fertilizer
This highly concentrated plant fertilizer is designed for stubborn plants that need a little extra help. Be careful using it on plants that might already be flourishing in a current environment, as the harshness could set them off kilter.
It can treat up to 2500 gallon tanks at one time, but pay attention to dosing requirements. Since it is highly concentrated, it can harm plant life if used incorrectly.
Might require to use a GH booster in addition to this product. If you have soft water in your fish tank, you will want to do so in order to add magnesium and calcium in addition to this product.
The highly concentrated formula can revive plants that are otherwise sick and not functioning well.
Pros
- Best for plants that are not responsive to other fertilizers.
- Can get away with limited use.
- Can revive plants that are otherwise going to die.
Cons
- Highly concentrated, if not used correctly it can harm plant life and fish.
- Needs to be used frequently, and if your water is soft, you might need to add a booster.
Aquatic Life Mini Internal Protein Skimmer
Another small option, this one from Aquatic Life can work on tanks up to 30 gallons. The compact size makes this a viable option for mini-reef aquariums.
While it is placed inside the tank, since it is small in size it does not take up too much room. The location of the skimmer also helps contain the noise, and this is a fairly quiet option. The suction cups help it attach to the side of the tank.
This skimmer is appeasing on the eyes, as it is designed to hide the ground cord. Since it doesn’t jut out of the tank, you hardly know it’s there at all.
Due to the shape of this skimmer, if your tank has a hinged lid, you will not be able to close the lid. If you need to close your lid, you might want to consider a different option.
Pros
- Compact size makes it great for mini-reef aquariums.
- Quiet, the noise is contained.
- Appeasing on the eyes, as it’s partially hidden.
Cons
- Cannot close the lid on tanks with hinged lids.
- Small in size – will only work on tanks up to 30 gallons.
GreenPro Root Tabs
This GreenPro product comes in tabs, not liquid. You might need to break the tabs apart depending on how big your tank is, as smaller tanks would require a smaller tab.
Potassium, Phosphate, and Nitrate are heavily present in this product, which will help your plants grow and flourish.
These tablets should be pushed with your finger deep into the soil below the plant, which can be a little challenging.
Unlike other products, this tablet can be used only once a month, meaning it is very low maintenance.
Pros
- Lots of nutrients in this product.
- Might only require use once a month.
- Great if your plants need some extra supplements.
Cons
- Tabs, not liquid, which makes it harder to define and split the dose.
- Hard to place the tablets under the soil where they belong.
PondCare Aquatic Plant Food Tablets
In addition to the nutrients like iron that other products have, this fertilizer also has iron and boron, which help to stimulate plant growth. The boron helps plants flower.
This product is designed for pond plants, so might not be great for a small tank or aquarium. This product is great to promote growth of plants in a pond.
This can only be used in artificial ponds only, and is not to be used in natural ponds or areas with natural overflow. You should also not use this in the winter if your pond or aquarium is in danger of freezing.
These tablets are the rights size, and they foster growth of even the most stubborn plants.
Pros
- Contains extra nutrients like iron and boron.
- Nice sized tablets,
- Fish thrive when exposed to this product.
Cons
- Best for pond plants, and not great for small tanks.
- Also can only feed in certain temperatures.
How to Select the Best Aquarium Plant Fertilizer?
Here are a few topics and factors you want to make sure consider when you are selecting your next aquarium plant fertilizer:
- What type of chemicals are in the product? Is there iron? Vitamins? How strong are the chemicals? Some might only be good for up to 10 gallon tanks, and yet other products you might be able to put one drop in a 4,730 gallon sized tank. Do your research on size, and make sure you get the right chemical for the sized tank that you have.
- Saltwater or freshwater. Not all of these products can be used in either scenario. Some are good for saltwater, and yet more seem to be only good for freshwater. Do not mess up the balance of your tank and your fish by using the wrong product.
- Do you want tablets or liquid? There are pros and cons to both. Tablets typically need to be placed underneath dirt or rocks, and sometimes they are fragile and it is difficult to get them that low. Make sure you know how you will easily be able to distribute the product, and you should be able to make a sound decision.
- What type of fish do you have? Do you have just fish? Some products are not good if you have other marine life, like shrimp. For example, if your product has copper, shrimp will not be able to swim tin that tank.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aquarium Plant Fertilizers
Do I need to fertilize my aquarium plants? Yes, it is highly recommended that you fertilize your aquarium plants. You have gone through the trouble of having aquarium plants, so you should make sure they are as healthy as possible. Due to the nature of some tanks, they might not survive without adequate fertilization.
Is plant fertilizer bad for fish? How about shrimp? It is almost never bad for fish. The manufacturers know if you are trying to buy a fertilizer for a plant that is going to be used in a fish tank that it needs to be able to be used in a tank that has fish, meaning it will be safe for fish. As far as shrimp, you need to be careful. Some products have copper, which can be harmful to any shrimp that you have in your tank.
How often should fertilize aquarium plants? The short answer is that it depends on the product that you are using. Some products can be used monthly, but there are some that are goo fertilizers for your aquarium, yet require you to replace and replenish at least 5 times a week, if not daily.
Can you over fertilize plants in an aquarium? Yes. Like anything else in life, moderation is key. Certain products require different usages. You could have different products that have the same nutrient, but they contain different dosages of that nutrient, so you need to read it to understand how much to give your plant.
Why are my aquarium plants turning brown? You do not have the right chemical balance. Chances are your plants were turning brown before you bought a fertilizer, and that might even be why you bought a fertilizer. Research some different fertilizers and you should be on your way to finding different options that can help your aquarium plants turn a vibrant green instead of a rustic brown.
How to Maintain Your Aquarium Plant Fertilizer?
To clean your HOB protein skimmer, mix up some white vinegar with some water. Soak the skimmer until any visible residue is gone. Afterwards, wipe down the skimmer with a wet cloth. Rinse it with clean water and put it back in your tank.
Routine maintenance of your HOB protein skimmer should just include periodic cleaning and wipe downs like mentioned above. You should not have to do anything to maintain your skimmer besides making sure it is clean and running smoothly. You can probably get away with cleaning your skimmer every 1-2 weeks.
If you do not have your fish tank running right now, you can safely store your HOB protein skimmer for a long time. Clean it per the above instructions, make sure it is completely dry, and store it a cool, dry place with a cover on it to keep out dust and particles.
When will you need to replace your HOB protein skimmer? If you are cleaning, maintaining, and storing your HOB protein skimmer in the right way, it should last for quite a long time, and might not ever require a replacement. Eventually, saltwater could affect it, but that will not happen for a long time.
Advantages of Having an Aquarium Plant Fertilizer
An aquarium plant fertilizer is going to make both your plants and your fish a lot happier. All of a sudden, they will all be exposed to more nutrients which will help them grow and flourish. Furthermore, the amount of algae in your tank is going to decrease, as most fertilizers serve a dual purpose of decreasing algae while they increase the rate that your plants grow.
Your fish and plants will be happier with an aquarium plant fertilizer, since they will have more vitamins and minerals to keep them flourishing.
An aquarium plant fertilizer will not only help your plants grow, it will also reduce the amount of algae growing in your tank, so all the living organisms in your aquarium will be happier.
After our product reviews, you should have a good idea of what the best aquarium plant fertilizers on the market are. You should be able to go out and buy one based on your needs, and if you have any questions you can always leave us a comment.
Video of the Easiest Aquarium Plant Fertilizer
Here’s a video on YouTube that you might want to watch, as it gives a good look into one of the easiest fish tank plant fertilizers on the market. This should help alleviate any concerns about using an aquarium plant fertilizer, and it might give you some pointers on exactly what is good to use in your tank.
Conclusion
We have e reviewed a lot of products for you. By now, you know to consider things like what type of chemicals are going into the water and what type of marine life can coexist with those chemicals.
Since you have reviewed our 10 recommended Best Aquarium Plant Fertilizers, now is a good time to go ahead and add one to your shopping cart. It will not take long, and soon you will have a new aquarium plant fertilizer ready to use in your home aquarium.
We would love if you leave us some comments if you have any previous experience owning aquarium plant fertilizers. If you have some questions that we did not answer, let us know that as well!
