Natural Fertilizer for Aquarium Plants that Actually Works

There is nothing more naturally beautiful than a planted lush green aquarium. However, they need nutrients and minerals for optimal growth.Aquatic plants can receive nutrients from the water column as well as from their roots. Some aquatic plants, such as Cryptocoryne (Crypt), Vallisneria (Val), and Echinodorus (Sword), are regarded to be more root-feeding than others. Aquarists that grow these species or have a lot of root-feeding plants or who want to give optimum growth to any aquatic can stimulate their growth with fertilizer. There are commercially available “root tabs” for aquatic plants, and some aquarium hobbyists construct their own clay fertilizer balls with commercial fertilizers also there are several effortless natural ways to boost the fertility of your aquarium. Here in this article, we present you with a few options for natural fertilizers for aquarium plants that actually work.

Natural Fertilizer for Aquarium Plants

(1) Increase the amount of biological fertilizers found in the Tank

There is no better approach to naturally fertilising your aquarium plants than to use the aquarium’s ability to produce natural fertilizer. What does it imply? A fish tank owner can create natural fertilizers by utilizing the natural ecology of the aquarium.

Using a biologically active filter in your fish tank is one option. The heart of your planted aquarium will be this filter. An outstanding and well-designed filter with activated charcoal can aid in the production of beneficial bacteria.

These bacteria will then interact in a symbiotic relationship to filter the water, benefiting not just the plants but also the fish. Always keep in mind that plant fertilizers will emerge organically in an aquarium with biologically active filtration.

(2) Harness the benefits of trace elements

Iron and zinc, for example, can act as natural fertilizers in your aquarium. The presence of these trace minerals in the fish tank can help the plants thrive and grow. But how can you obtain these minerals?

Because it is a great source of trace minerals, some aquarium owners utilize specific aquarium gravel in their fish tanks. An alternative is to utilize iron-rich red clay. However, before placing this clay in the aquarium, it must be boiled to kill any unrelated organisms.

You will only need to place these ingredients in the aquarium under the aquarium gravel. This procedure will allow these materials to improve water chemistry, which will assist the plants in the fish tank.

(3) Use of high-quality fish food

Many fish tank owners are unaware that feeding high-quality fish food to their fish can also serve to naturally fertilize the aquarium plants. These fish tank owners frequently wonder if aquarium plants require fertilizer at all, not realizing that fish meals can produce natural fertilizer.

Plants in the aquarium may not develop properly or at all if only this natural method of fertilization is used. Bright lighting and other high-quality fertilizers are required to help the plants thrive in the aquarium.

However, if you focus on this natural method of building an organic tank, there are some things you must do in the aquarium aside from providing high-quality organic food. To begin, you will need a sufficient bio-load, uneaten food, and fish and plant waste to nourish and fertilize the plants.

Furthermore, you must utilize sand, fine gravel, or capped soil as your aquarium substrate, reducing the need to clean or vacuum it regularly. This procedure will allow plant and fish waste to be naturally digested and transformed into fertilizer.

(4) Make your DIY fertilizer powder

Another natural technique to fertilize aquarium plants is to create your own fertilizing powder. Why not make your own fertilizer from simple and natural substances instead of relying on commercial fertilizers?

Making homemade fertilizer is also cost-effective, simple, and easy. Basic components such as Epsom salt, potassium, sulfate, and saltpetre are required to make a powder-based DIY fertilizer. Start by adding all of the materials in the ratio 3:3:2:1 to make your own powder natural fertilizer.

This natural plant fertilizer should only be used in modest doses. For the first dose, use a teaspoon for every 10 gallons of water. This fertilizer can be used after every water change to restore the minerals and vitamins in the aquarium.

(5) Prepare homemade fertilizer tabs

Making DIY fertilizer tabs is another approach to nourishing the plants in your aquarium. Making this natural fertilizer is simple if you have the necessary items. This DIY fertilizer’s main ingredients are calcium montmorillonite clay powder and human-grade mixed powdered seaweed.

To make the required consistency, combine 5 tablespoons of calcium clay powder and 1 tablespoon of seaweed with water until it resembles wet modelling clay. The material can then be formed into tabs or balls and let dry.

Dig a hole in the substrate near the plant’s roots to apply this DIY fertilizer. Insert the tabs into the hole and cover them with the substrate. The roots will ingest the tabs’ nutrients and minerals for up to six months.

Additional Tips for Natural Fertilizer for Aquarium Plants

(1) Do not skip water changes

Whether you use store-bought fertilizer, make your fertilizer, or don’t fertilize at all, you should change the water in your tank every week. Water changes are crucial to the water quality in your tank as well as the health of your fish and aquatic plants.

Many algae problems can be solved by just modifying how frequently you change the water. I recommend a 50% water change once a week, but you might do a 25% change twice a week if that’s easier for you; nonetheless, I feel that once a week is less labour-intensive.

(2) Use a lot of plants during set-up

Algae will profit from a lack of competition if you use light and nutrients but have few plants. You can reduce the risk of an algal outbreak by introducing more plants. Furthermore, a sparsely planted aquarium appears less visually pleasing than a rich, thickly grown aquarium.

(3) Do not overcrowd the tank

When you add too many fish and other aquatic species to the tank, you not only stress the fish out, but you also wind up with a lot of nitrogenous waste as the fish defecate. It quickly accumulates, and if you’re also applying fertilizer, you could end up with a significant algae problem.

(Also Read- Water Cabbage Growing Tips)

Conclusion

Including plants in the aquarium’s ecology provides numerous benefits to the fish and the aquarium as a whole. Commercial fertilizers, on the other hand, can be costly at times, so fertilizing your aquarium plants naturally is the best option. But if you want to provide natural fertilizer for aquarium plants, There are various strategies and methods by which a fish tank owner might fertilize utilizing items readily available in our homes. Hope the above-mentioned tips will be helpful to you. Let us know in the comments.