Using Dry Fertilizers in the Planted Aquarium - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

AquaZilla · 02-05-2009, 02:39 AM

Using chemical fertilisers in planted aquariums
An aquarium plant, like any other needs nutrients in order to survive. In the natural world - rivers, streams, ponds, fields and hedgerows, plants will find the nutrients that they need in the soils and sediments.
Soils and sediments are not uniform, some may lack certain nutrients and some may contain other nutrients in abundance. Some plants can survive quite happily with low levels of some nutrients and for others to do well they may require high nutrient levels. This is one reason why you might find lots of plants of a particular species in one area and none in another

An aquarium however is not a natural world but a very artificial one! It is also finely balanced and has to be carefully managed in order to maintain conditions, which, as far as the fish and plants are concerned is as near natural as possible.
Water temperature, oxygen levels, pH and water hardness must all be controlled and just as fish need to have to have food, plants have to be given the correct nutrients in correct quantities.

In both agriculture and horticulture fertilisers can be provided from manure and composts. These are not options in the planted aquarium so chemical fertilisers are used. The main advantages of chemical fertilisers are that you know exactly what is being put into the aquarium and in what quantity.

Potassium Nitrate

Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) contains 13.9% nitrogen (N) and 38.7% potassium (K)
Both nitrogen and potassium are macronutrients – essential for healthy plant growth.

Potassium nitrate can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer

If using the EI dosing system, typical maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-
Nitrogen (N) 4.5ppm. Potassium (K) 30ppm

Dry dosing
Adding potassium nitrate at the rate of 0.011 grams per litre to a tank will increase the nitrogen (N) level by
1.5 ppm and the potassium (K) level by 4.3ppm.
Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:-
Nitrogen (N) 4.5ppm.
Potassium (K) 13ppm.

Stock solution
Adding 61g of potassium nitrate to 0.5 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-
1.5% N (6.7% NO3) W/W
5.0% K2O (4.2% K) W/W

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 4.5ppm N and 13 ppm K

Regular water changes are important in any aquarium to prevent the build up of toxins and as long as chemical fertilisers are used in conjunction with a regular water change routine, you will be able to control the conditions in the aquarium and maintain that fine balance.

The chemicals mainly used in planted aquariums are:-

Potassium nitrate – to provide nitrogen and some potassium
Potassium phosphate – to provide phosphorous
Potassium sulphate – to provide extra potassium
Magnesium sulphate – to provide magnesium

These provide the main macro-nutrients – nutrients required in relatively large amounts.

In addition to the macro-nutrients micro-nutrients are required – these are required in relatively small amounts. These can be sourced from separate chemicals – copper sulphate, iron sulphate and so on but as they are needed in such small amounts it is easier to buy a ready mixed trace mix.

Monopotassium Phosphate
Monopotassium phosphate (K2PO4) contains 22.8% phosphorous (P) and 28.7% potassium (K)
Both phosphorous and potassium are macronutrients.

Monopotassium phosphate can be added directly to a planted aquarium but as phosphates are normally required in very small quantities it is easier to mix it with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution.
It can also be blended with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer.

If using the EI dosing system typical Maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-
Phosphorous (P) 1ppm. Potassium (K) 30ppm

Dry dosing
Adding mono potassium phosphate at the rate of 0.0015grms per litre to a tank will increase the phosphorous (P) level by 0.34ppm and the potassium (K) level by 0.43ppm.
Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:-
Phosphorous (P) 1 ppm
Potassium (K) 1.3 ppm

Stock solution
Adding 15g of Monopotassium phosphate to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-
0.77% P2O5 (0.34%P, 1.03% PO4) W/W
0.51% K2O (0.42% K) W/W

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 1ppm P and 1.3 ppm K.

Potassium Sulphate
Potassium sulphate (K2SO4) contains 44.9% potassium (K)
Potassium is a macronutrient – essential for healthy plant growth

Potassium sulphate can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer

If using the EI dosing system typical Maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-
Potassium (K) 30ppm

Note! 13 ppm may have been provided from potassium nitrate and 1.3 ppm from potassium phosphate so only an additional 15 ppm is required.

Dry dosing
Adding potassium sulphate at the rate of 0.011grms per litre to a tank will increase the potassium (K) level by 5ppm.
Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:-
Potassium (K) 15 ppm

Stock solution
Adding 9g of potassium sulphate to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-
0.48% K2O (0.4% K) W/W
0.16% S

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 15ppm.

Magnesium Sulphate
Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is used to provide magnesium an essential macronutrient.
Magnesium sulphate contains 9.86% magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium sulphate can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer

If using the EI dosing system typical Maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-
Magnesium (Mg) 10ppm

Dry dosing
Adding magnesium sulphate at the rate of 0.05g per litre to a tank will increase the magnesium (Mg) level by 5ppm.
Added twice weekly, levels will increase by:-
Magnesium (Mg) 10ppm

Stock solution
Adding 56g of magnesium sulphate to 500ml of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-
1.0% Mg W/W
1.31% S W/W

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 3ppm.

Calcium Sulphate
Calcium sulphate (CaSO4) contains 23.3% calcium (Ca)

Dry dosing
Adding calcium sulphate at the rate of 0.043g per litre to a tank will increase the calcium (Ca) level by 10ppm.

Stock solution
Adding 83g of calcium sulphate to 500ml of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-
3.3% Ca W/W
2.7% S W/W

http://www.fluidsensoronline.com/epa...lant_Nutrition

billb1 · 09-17-2009, 10:47 PM

Wow - this is definitely one of the best resources I have seen. Very thorough.

Thanks Orlando

Bill

02-05-2009, 02:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,205	Using Dry Fertilizers in the Planted Aquarium Using chemical fertilisers in planted aquariums An aquarium plant, like any other needs nutrients in order to survive. In the natural world - rivers, streams, ponds, fields and hedgerows, plants will find the nutrients that they need in the soils and sediments. Soils and sediments are not uniform, some may lack certain nutrients and some may contain other nutrients in abundance. Some plants can survive quite happily with low levels of some nutrients and for others to do well they may require high nutrient levels. This is one reason why you might find lots of plants of a particular species in one area and none in another An aquarium however is not a natural world but a very artificial one! It is also finely balanced and has to be carefully managed in order to maintain conditions, which, as far as the fish and plants are concerned is as near natural as possible. Water temperature, oxygen levels, pH and water hardness must all be controlled and just as fish need to have to have food, plants have to be given the correct nutrients in correct quantities. In both agriculture and horticulture fertilisers can be provided from manure and composts. These are not options in the planted aquarium so chemical fertilisers are used. The main advantages of chemical fertilisers are that you know exactly what is being put into the aquarium and in what quantity. Potassium Nitrate Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) contains 13.9% nitrogen (N) and 38.7% potassium (K) Both nitrogen and potassium are macronutrients – essential for healthy plant growth. Potassium nitrate can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer If using the EI dosing system, typical maximum weekly uptake figures might be:- Nitrogen (N) 4.5ppm. Potassium (K) 30ppm Dry dosing Adding potassium nitrate at the rate of 0.011 grams per litre to a tank will increase the nitrogen (N) level by 1.5 ppm and the potassium (K) level by 4.3ppm. Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:- Nitrogen (N) 4.5ppm. Potassium (K) 13ppm. Stock solution Adding 61g of potassium nitrate to 0.5 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:- 1.5% N (6.7% NO3) W/W 5.0% K2O (4.2% K) W/W Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 4.5ppm N and 13 ppm K Regular water changes are important in any aquarium to prevent the build up of toxins and as long as chemical fertilisers are used in conjunction with a regular water change routine, you will be able to control the conditions in the aquarium and maintain that fine balance. The chemicals mainly used in planted aquariums are:- Potassium nitrate – to provide nitrogen and some potassium Potassium phosphate – to provide phosphorous Potassium sulphate – to provide extra potassium Magnesium sulphate – to provide magnesium These provide the main macro-nutrients – nutrients required in relatively large amounts. In addition to the macro-nutrients micro-nutrients are required – these are required in relatively small amounts. These can be sourced from separate chemicals – copper sulphate, iron sulphate and so on but as they are needed in such small amounts it is easier to buy a ready mixed trace mix. Monopotassium Phosphate Monopotassium phosphate (K2PO4) contains 22.8% phosphorous (P) and 28.7% potassium (K) Both phosphorous and potassium are macronutrients. Monopotassium phosphate can be added directly to a planted aquarium but as phosphates are normally required in very small quantities it is easier to mix it with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be blended with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer. If using the EI dosing system typical Maximum weekly uptake figures might be:- Phosphorous (P) 1ppm. Potassium (K) 30ppm Dry dosing Adding mono potassium phosphate at the rate of 0.0015grms per litre to a tank will increase the phosphorous (P) level by 0.34ppm and the potassium (K) level by 0.43ppm. Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:- Phosphorous (P) 1 ppm Potassium (K) 1.3 ppm Stock solution Adding 15g of Monopotassium phosphate to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:- 0.77% P2O5 (0.34%P, 1.03% PO4) W/W 0.51% K2O (0.42% K) W/W Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 1ppm P and 1.3 ppm K. Potassium Sulphate Potassium sulphate (K2SO4) contains 44.9% potassium (K) Potassium is a macronutrient – essential for healthy plant growth Potassium sulphate can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer If using the EI dosing system typical Maximum weekly uptake figures might be:- Potassium (K) 30ppm Note! 13 ppm may have been provided from potassium nitrate and 1.3 ppm from potassium phosphate so only an additional 15 ppm is required. Dry dosing Adding potassium sulphate at the rate of 0.011grms per litre to a tank will increase the potassium (K) level by 5ppm. Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:- Potassium (K) 15 ppm Stock solution Adding 9g of potassium sulphate to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:- 0.48% K2O (0.4% K) W/W 0.16% S Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 15ppm. Magnesium Sulphate Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is used to provide magnesium an essential macronutrient. Magnesium sulphate contains 9.86% magnesium (Mg) Magnesium sulphate can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer If using the EI dosing system typical Maximum weekly uptake figures might be:- Magnesium (Mg) 10ppm Dry dosing Adding magnesium sulphate at the rate of 0.05g per litre to a tank will increase the magnesium (Mg) level by 5ppm. Added twice weekly, levels will increase by:- Magnesium (Mg) 10ppm Stock solution Adding 56g of magnesium sulphate to 500ml of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:- 1.0% Mg W/W 1.31% S W/W Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 3ppm. Calcium Sulphate Calcium sulphate (CaSO4) contains 23.3% calcium (Ca) Dry dosing Adding calcium sulphate at the rate of 0.043g per litre to a tank will increase the calcium (Ca) level by 10ppm. Stock solution Adding 83g of calcium sulphate to 500ml of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:- 3.3% Ca W/W 2.7% S W/W http://www.fluidsensoronline.com/epa...lant_Nutrition Last edited by AquaZilla; 02-05-2009 at 01:40 PM.

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09-17-2009, 10:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
billb1 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Wow - this is definitely one of the best resources I have seen. Very thorough. Thanks Orlando Bill