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	Can I use regular plant fertilizer in my aquarium?
agaius Hobbyist Posts: 56 Kudos: 33 Votes: 2 Registered: 29-Sep-2004	Hello! Does anybody know whether I can use regular plant fertilizer in my aquarium? I am not sure what the difference is between regular “plant food” and commercially available fertilizer for planted aquariums. Could anyone please explain this? -Angel
Posted 20-Oct-2006 21:34
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	No. Terestrial plants(nonaquatic) have different fertilizers. Some might even be toxic to your fish. The rest have high levels of mostly just nitrates and phosphorous. Two things that most tanks do not need in larger amounts. At the least your likely to end up with a huge algae blooms in the tank but at the worst your fish could die. You can use powdered concentrated fertilizers which are sold for both aquatic and terrestrial plants but need to measure the individual amounts carefully.
Posted 20-Oct-2006 22:18
Dr. Bonke Moderator Posts: 367 Kudos: 215 Votes: 36 Registered: 15-Apr-2004	That's a simple answer: no, you can't. Normal plant fertilizer usually contains some amount of ammonia. Plants like ammonia, as it is the easiest for them to incorporate, but it is toxic for your fish. Besides that, the fertilizer is very rich and algae will just love it, most likely you'd end up with dead fish and green water.
Posted 20-Oct-2006 22:22
agaius Hobbyist Posts: 56 Kudos: 33 Votes: 2 Registered: 29-Sep-2004	Edited by agaius Thank you so much for this valuable information. I am very glad that I asked this. I have been tempted to put a little bit of liquid (terrestrial) plant food into my aquarium to perk up my plants. Now, thanks to both of you, I know that that would have been horrible for my fish. THANKS YOU!!! Can anybody recommend a good fertilizer that I can use in my aquarium? Should I use one or avoid at all cost? -Angel
Posted 20-Oct-2006 22:51
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	Depends on your tank as to whether you need fertilizers. Alot more info would be needed. I prefer to just use Seachem Flourish brand and I have a couple bottles from Kent. Alot of people buy the dry concentrated fertilizers because it's tons cheaper than using the various brands of liquid fertilizers. Depends on your exact needs and how concerned you are with cost.
Posted 21-Oct-2006 02:37
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	I would recommend the Seachem products which can be costly at many LFS. Someone in your area might be able to give you a good online supplier which will be a lot cheaper. Before you do that what is in you tank and its size. Are you using any CO2? *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 21-Oct-2006 06:04


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