How and from what can you make fertilizers for aquarium plants with your own hands?

Not only does the aquarium require maintenance, but also the algae that live in it. In order for the aquatic flora to grow fully and create a favorable pleasant microclimate, it is required to create a nutrient medium for it. Traditionally, aquarium fertilizers are used for this, which include potassium and iron - it is these trace elements that contribute to the accelerated growth of algae. If you wish, you can make fertilizers with your own hands at home.

In order for the aquarium flora to retain its decorative effect, algae should be fed from time to time with preparations containing micro- and macroelements useful for aquatic plants. Many people use regular blue clay, but it is better to resort to complex supplements with iron, zinc, potassium, as well as phosphorus, sodium and iodine.

The amount and composition of fertilizers used directly depends on a number of factors:

• the volume of aquarium flora in the container;
• the amount of liquid in the aquarium;
• intensity of natural lighting and artificial lighting;
• concentration of carbon dioxide in an artificial reservoir;
• water heating temperature.

remember, that biocenoses in artificial reservoirs differ significantly from those occurring on land, therefore, preparations intended for terrestrial flora cannot be taken to feed aquatic plants. The fact is that common plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.All these microelements are also needed for aquarium species of vegetation, but the dosage should be minimal, since they are already present in the liquid in the form of waste products of fish, amphibians and other inhabitants of an artificial reservoir.

If the dosages are exceeded, then the microbalance of the reservoir may be imbalanced, which will lead to a deterioration in the appearance of the algae.

At the same time and micronutrient deficiency is dangerous - greens stops growing, stops multiplying, changes shape and color, which most often also leads to the death of the plant. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain a strict balance in both the manufacture and application of fertilizers. The recommended dosages must be followed exactly.

In order for plants to fully grow and develop in water, they need oxygen and a little carbon dioxide. In addition, algae need nitrogen, which they use to form protein compounds. Potassium is also required - it is responsible for photosynthesis, and its lack leads to growth arrest and protein deficiency. All this causes a color change in algae and other aquatic plants. If your pets do not have enough iron, then whitish spots will appear on the surface of the leaf plates.

Preparations that contribute to the full growth and further reproduction of algae are sold in pet stores, but if desired, anyone can prepare them on their own.

To make a mixture of micro and macro fertilizers for aquatic flora, you will need the following tools and materials:

• scales;
• thermometer;
• latex gloves;
• wooden sticks;
• flasks;
• measuring cup;
• chemical components of the mixture.

Let us dwell in more detail on the prescriptions of drugs that you can always make at home on your own.

Aquarists recommend using the following components to create micronutrients:

• boric acid;
• copper;
• zinc;
• ammonium molybdate;
• manganese sulfate.

Prepare clean water in advance - you will need about 0.5 liters of it. In a suitable container, the water must be heated to 30-40 degrees. The components of the mixture are alternately introduced into water, stirred until final dissolution, and another 0.5 l of warm liquid is added.

The resulting composition is poured into the aquarium daily in a ratio of 0.5 ml per 100 l of liquid. The maximum permissible concentration is 1 ml per 100 liters.

Another effective compound fertilizer recipe includes the following ingredients:

• sulfates of iron, magnesium, copper and zinc;
• citric acid.

All components are separately added to distilled warm water, stirred well until the dry components are completely dissolved and infused for about 2 hours. After that, add 4 ampoules of vitamins (ferovit and cytovit), 2 ampoules of soluble vitamin B12, as well as 20 ml of sulfuric acid (you can replace it with 10 ml of sulfuric acid + 10 ml of boric acid).

If aquarium plants are deficient in phosphorus, mix 75 grams of potassium phosphate and dilute in 1 liter of water. The resulting solution is added to the reservoir at a ratio of 1 ml for every 100 L of water.

With a nitrogen deficiency, a nitrate composition is prepared, for which 65 grams of potassium nitrate are taken and dissolved in 1 liter of heated liquid. The solution is added in the same volume as the phosphate solution.

To compose a potassium mixture, 110 grams of potassium sulfate is poured into 1000 ml of heated water and dissolved. The composition is introduced into water according to the scheme: 1 ml of the mixture per 10 liters of liquid.

All of the ingredients in micronutrient-based algae supplements can be bought in specialty stores that sell chemicals.Unfortunately, such outlets in most cases are found only in large cities, and in small settlements, the search for reagents can present some difficulties. Nevertheless, there is a way out - most likely, you will find everything you need in shops for gardeners and gardeners, pharmacies, as well as hardware stores.

Preparing algae fertilizers is simple, with most hobbyists believing that self-production will become a more profitable business than buying ready-made branded drugs. In addition, these solutions can be stored for a long time (always in a cool, dark place). The dosage for making the compositions should be changed depending on the volume of water, the level of illumination and, of course, on the condition of the plants.

Rarely, but there are times when home-made dressings do not work, but only exacerbate the poor condition of the algae. The following phenomena can be observed:

• deformation or destruction of leaves occurs;
• the plant does not grow as fast as we would like;
• algae outbreaks occur.

In any of these cases needs to be completely changed one composition of fertilizers to another and determine the optimal dosage by trial and error.

For aquarium fertilization with your own hands, see the following video.