The 10 Best Aquarium Plant Fertilisers and Why Getting This Wrong Kills Everything

The Definitive Ranking: Best Aquarium Plant Fertilisers That Actually Work

Ok so we finally got around to doing it. Four whole meetings, three arguments about liquid carbon, Bobby nearly quitting when we started discussing DIY vs. commercial root tabs. But we did it. Here’s our definitive ranking of aquarium fertilisers that actually make a difference in planted tanks.

We tried to keep it realistic. No small brands that you can only buy online. No “perfect” nutrient ratios that only work if you live in a lab. We focused on fertilisers that normal people actually use in their normal tanks and see real results from. Available in the UK, suitable for a range of different setups from low tech community tanks all the way up to serious high tech CO2 injected rigs, and offer value for money.

Samuel started by saying liquid carbon had to be included which immediately made Roger eyes roll and he started muttering about snake oil salesmen. Juan said everything should be judged on price per dose which is fair but ignores how some fertilisers actually work better. Billy argued every time we started getting hung up on serious high tech because lets face it, most of us don’t run CO2 injection and dosing every day.

Criteria ended up being usefulness across a wide variety of tank styles and setups, availability and cost within the UK market, ease of use for everyday hobbyists, and long term track record of results from within the hobby. We didn’t include anything that requires a PHD to dose correctly or that’s only suitable for one very specific niche setup.

The biggest surprises? How highly some of the newer all in ones ranked when we crunched the numbers. How divisive liquid carbon still is. And how damn passionate Bobby got about making your own root tabs that cost a fraction of store bought.

**1. APT Complete**
All-in-One Fertiliser | High-Tech Focused

**Why it’s ranked number one**

This was the only product we all agreed on, which is saying something. APT changed the whole dosing game. The ratios of 3.38% nitrate, 0.31% phosphate, and 3.9% potassium (Billy breaks this down here) aren’t just there to make the nutrients last longer. They’re based on real plant nutrient uptake rates in high light tanks with CO2 injection.

Roger has been using APT Complete for 2 years straight and honestly says its the first all in one fertilizer he’s tried that actually lives up to claims. “Sure the daily dosing sounds like a pain, but you don’t *have* to perform water changes every week just to keep phosphates under control like you do with most fertilizers. Your plants have access to all the nutrients they need, when they need them.” Juan also pointed out how cost effective it is. Dosing daily at 1 pump per 20L of tank water equals a 500ml bottle easily treating 10,000L. Calculate that out on a per dose basis and its right in line with mixing your own dry salts.

Samuel will begrudgingly admit he was wrong about the daily dosing. His heavily stocked 240L high tech setup hasn’t suffered from a single algae outbreak since he started using APT Complete and switched from weekly dosing. The included iron and magnesium don’t go uncalled for either. With ratios of 0.13% iron and 0.29% magnesium APT Complete provides those extra trace elements your plants need without worry of them suddenly becoming unavailable between doses.

**Is it still the best you can get? **

Yep. If you run a CO2 injected tank this is the complete fertilizer to get. No questions asked. If you don’t meet those criteria however? APT Complete isn’t for you. It’s *specifically* designed for tanks that are pushing high tech parameters with strong lighting and CO2. Want to run this in a low tech? Good luck keeping your plants alive. Don’t like the idea of dosing every single day? We know several people that dose their tanks as part of their morning routine. Takes them less than 30 seconds. Price is also on the higher side but once you realise how affordable it is on a per dose basis you won’t find better value in any other fertilizer.

**2. Easy Green**
All-in-One Fertiliser | Beginner Friendly

**Why it’s ranked number two**

Samuel was Easy Green’s biggest champion and frankly he makes some really good points. Easy Green does aquarium plants right. The 3% nitrogen, 0.3% phosphate, 3% potassium ratios worked for low tech all the way up through moderate tech setups we tested it in without any problems. Bonus points that the actual dosing is easy. 1 pump per 10 gallons… once a week. Seriously that’s it.

Community hype backed it up too. Over 2000 reviews on their website, 4.8 stars out of 5 on Amazon, and you can’t go into any planted tank sub reddit without seeing Easy Green come up. Billy noted Aquarium Co-Op had released it back in 2018 and it instantly became their bestselling fertilizer because it *actually works* how they say it does. (Read Samuels full review here)

Roger will never forgive them for “Easy”, but the 0.13% iron content is high enough that it doesn’t become unavailable to your plants the way cheaper alternatives do. Coupled with a once a week dosing schedule it fits how most of us actually maintain our aquariums.

**Does Aquarium Co-Op still deserve the hype? **

Definitely. Best fertilizer for new plant keepers looking to step up their game without needing to research or calculate specific doses. The drawback is that once you hit higher lighting and start adding CO2 you’ll need to supplement with additional products or dosing more than once a week. Doesn’t make easy green bad, you just need to meet your plants increased nutrient demands. Price wise its obviously more than mixing your own, but when you factor in how much time you save not needing to measure dosing every time you feed your fish you won’t find a better all-around fertilizer.

**3. NilocG Thrive**
All-in-One Fertiliser | Hobbyist-Developed

**Why it’s ranked number three**

Billy argued this was the perfect third choice. Developed and sold by aquarium hobbyists instead of some business wanting to make a quick sale. You can tell NilocG was started by a hobbyist in 2012 and not some corporation because everything about Thrive just… works. The 2.5% nitrogen, 9% potassium, 0.46% iron may not seem like a lot but when you understand why those numbers were chosen (cheque out Billy’s deep dive) it all makes sense.

Neutrals said it didn’t have the brand recognition of Seachem or Fluorish but having looked over the official NilocG website Billy and Juan thoroughly impressed with the number of available products that cover just about any nitrogen dosage schedule you can think of. Macros, Micros, low tech, high tech. If you’re looking for something specific they probably have a bottled fertilizer for it.

Juan was the only one who didn’t realise just how much better DPTA chelated iron is compared to standard EDTA until Billy explained it. Short version? Less chance of your iron becoming unavailable to your plants the longer you go between doses.

**Is it still worth trying? **

Hell yeah it is. NilocG might not have the biggest name but they’ve been around for nearly a decade and clearly know what they’re talking about. Easy to use, available as both a complete fertilizer or tailored specifically for low tech tanks. We can’t speak for their dry salts but every bottle fertilizer they make is on par with everything else in this ranking.

**4. Tropica Premium Nutrition**
All-in-One Fertiliser | European Low-Tech System

**Why it’s ranked number four**

Hands down our lists hardest controversy. Juan and Billy literally wrote entire articles about Tropica Premium Nutrition and disagreed on almost everything except it works. NPK ratios of 0.8% nitrogen, 0.1% phosphorus, and 1.3% potassium are on the low end because thats how TPN is designed to be used. Its part of the bigger Tropica 90 day system, which also includes their substrate and recommends regular water changes.

What sold the rest of us on including it? How damn old Tropica is. Between (Billy’s write up) and (Juan’s article) they made it very clear just how long Tropica has been doing aquarium plants before any of us knew they existed. TPN isn’t some recent decision their marketing department came up with, its decades of actual european aquascaping experience distilled into one product.

Bobby hates people paying more for things just because they’re from Europe but he will begrudgingly admit the 0.07% iron and 0.2% magnesium cover your bases as far as trace elements are concerned. You don’t run the risk of accidentally poisoning your tank from overdosing like you do with some stronger dosed fertilizers. Samuel hated the low phosphorus until Juan pointed out how using Tropica helps you avoid algae issues because your not stupidly overfeeding a low tech setup.

**Should you stick with Tropica? **

If you have a low tech tank? Yes. TPN is designed specifically for planted aquariums that aren’t using CO2 and the lower doses reflect that. High tech? Not gonna happen. Your going to burn through this twice as fast as recommended and your plants still might show nutrient deficiencies. As far as price goes its on the higher side per dose compared to mixing your own but fair for an all-in-one that *actually works*.

**5. Osmocote Root Tabs DIY**
Root Fertiliser | Budget DIY Solution

**Why it’s ranked number five**

I’m gonna be honest we included this because Bobby threatened to riot if we didn’t. That doesn’t mean he isn’t correct. The fact is the Osmocote Plus 15-9-12 NPK with 0.46% iron and included micronutrients (yes it has everything your plants need) is exactly what making your own root tabs should be. Empty 00 gel capsules, fill with granules, pop em in the ground around your heavy root feeders and wait 6 months.

Hell we almost gave this #1 until someone pointed out how cost effective it is. (Read Bossies article here) You can make hundreds of DIY root tabs for the cost of one pack of the commercial brands. And if you’re worried about them releasing too much at once and causing algae problems you’re not. Remember this is a controlled release fertilizer made to slowly feed terrestrial plants as they need it.

The entire rest of the team didn’t argue this as much as worry about Bobby recommending aquarium plant fertilizer from the store that sells yards. Research helped ease their minds… sort of. Its literally the same nutrients as EVERY commercial root tab brand just in fertilizer form instead of aquarium dose capsules.

**Is it still the best DIY option? **

Yes and no. Yes it’s the best cost effective option for making your own root tabs. No you should probably use root tabs designed for aquasoace instead of trying to figure out how much fertilizer to put in each capsule. Does that mean going with the store brands? Not necessarily but they do at least know how much of each nutrient to put into their tabs so you don’t have to guess.

**6. Seachem Root Tabs**
Root Fertiliser | Commercial Premium Option

**Why it’s ranked number six**

Billy bitched the most about this one. Specific reasons? They aren’t the absolute cheapest you can find and a single box doesn’t last him nearly as long as DIY options. HOWEVER. When you break down why *these* tabs are the best commercially available option it all makes sense.

Nutrient ratios of 0.28% phosphate, 0.16% potash, 0.8% iron, and assorted micronutrients (with 0.11% magnesium being the standout) add up to a well rounded formula for your heaviest root feeders. Each 7g tab is supposed to cover a 10-15cm radius for 3 months. Larger plants you may need 2 tabs close together but that’s about it.

Commercial benefits? Each tub is perfectly uniform so you know exactly what your getting and how many doses you have. They don’t slowly dissolve like some people complain about with the DIY method. Open tab, jam it in the ground, forget about it until it’s time to replace it.

**Do Seachem root tabs still rule? **

For people that want the reassurance of buying from a known brand and aren’t mindami bout spending more? Sure they do. Dosing is easy, they work, and you don’t have to stress about accidentally using plant fertilizer from your garden. Just know there are DIY options that give you way more bang for your buck if your okay with putting the time in.

**7. Flourish Excel**
Liquid Carbon | Algae Inhibitor

**Why it’s ranked number seven**

Long story short? We argued about Excel the most out of any entry on this list. Samuel starting argument was… well Excel is kind of a cheat entry? But hear him out. If we’re including fertilizers that “complete” your tank why not one that “controls” algae?

Look I get it Roger spent half his article telling us it’s not actually liquid carbon. True. But plants still use it. The (in depth analysis) did a great job covering not only how aquariums used Excel before most of us were born, but also dives into how despite what the chemistry nerd in Roger wants you to believe its helped his aquarium plants too.

Algae control is the whole reason it ends up on our list. Add Excel to your aquarium and yes your plants grow better. but you also experience way less issues with algae than you did previously. Especially useful for hair algae. Juan didn’t want to include it because its not the same as injecting CO2 but he admitted that for non CO2 tanks and beginners who want better plant growth its the only realistic option they’ve got.

**Is Flourish Excel still useful? **

Absolutley, just don’t go in expecting it to be a carbon dioxide substitute because it’s not. The daily dosing requirement will also kill you in anything over a 100 litre tank if you don’t plan for it. Costs start to add up too but that algae control aspect is still just as valid as it was years ago. Yes even with Vallis, just ease up on the dosage a little.

**8. Fertiliser Dosing Schedules**
Knowledge | Know your doses

**Why knowledge is power**

Okay so Roger basically said he should be high up on this list just for writing his article. Fair point Jack mate fair point. Dosing correctly is maybe *the* most important part of keeping a thriving planted aquarium and no one explained that better then did Jack.

He broke down how just blindly following bottle instructions will lead to problems long before your plants actually show any signs of deficiencies. Why? CO2 injected tanks consume nutrients 2-3 times faster than their non CO2 counterparts. That fertilizer you carefully followed the label on and dose weekly in your community tank? Might only last 3-4 days in your heavily planted CO2 setup.

Yes Juan and Billy complained about having “knowledge” as a nutrient but come on guys. If more people actually spent time learning how and *why* certain fertilizers work instead of blindly throwing them in we’d have fewer troubles asking.

**Does this still apply? **

More than ever. New brands come out everyday that think throwing random NPK ratios at the aquarium community will make their product stand out. Learn what your tank needs and you can adjust *any* fertilizer to fit your specific setup instead of praying what the company thinks your tank needs actually matches up with reality.

**9. Seachem Flourish**
Trace Element Supplement | Learn to love the cheap stuff

**Why Seachem Flourish still matters**

Long story short? Billy got pissed everyone argued with him about including Seachems brand flagship. Ugh don’t @ us Billy. The thing is… he’s right. Sure the 0.07% potash, 0.0118% magnesium, and assorted trace elements (we’re looking at you 0.0001% copper) don’t scream “complete plant fertilizer!” but when used as Flourish is intended *why* would they?

Flourish isn’t a complete fertilizer and anyone saying otherwise is glossing over how much you need to dose to make it work like one. Its a trace element supplement for people that want the convenience of buying their nutrients pre-mixed andDosage is easy too. 5 mL per 250L of water weekly, or bi-weekly if your lucky.

It also doesnt hurt that Flourish has been around for donkey’s years and the reason so many people preach using it is because it simply works. Taken straight from (Billys review). Its just damn good at what it *was designed* to do.

**Should you use Flourish with your aquarium plants? **

As a trace supplement? Yes. Billy does make a valid point that its not designed to be used by itself. Plant keeping isn’t cheap and flourishes high price tag means you’re probably better off looking into all-in-one solutions. But as something to use alongside your regular macros? It still works just as well as it always has.

**10. Thrive Concentrated**
All-in-One Fertiliser | Higher Dosage Option

**Why the third NilocG product made the cut**

If you couldn’t guess by now Billy pretty much talked himself onto the list. His argument? Standard Thrive is great but the concentrated formula was made to solve the biggest issue all-in-one fertilizer have: large tanks.

More pump per dose means less dosing for the exact same effect. (Read for yourself) broke down how not only does the concentrated version dose less per tank but its also better value. You can literally drop a single capful of Thrive Concentrated into your aquarium catch bucket and not worry about dosing your plants for weeks.

All of us loved the hobbyist takes on each product NilocG had to offer but Juan brought up a great point that sold us on adding it. NilocG didn’t just decide one day they should make a more concentrated version of their popular Thrive fertilizer. They listened to customer feedback wanted a more economic way to dose larger tanks.

**Is concentrated still worth it? **

For big tanks? You betcha. Smaller ones and you might find yourself going through them faster than you think which sort of defeats the point. Dosing wise its not quite as flexible as standard Thrive but if you’ve got the tank size to justify it we cant argue against it being a better bang for your buck.

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## Want more info? These fertilizers **almost** made the cut.

**APT Zero** – Pushed hard for by Juan. Primarily because it’s AMAZING for tanks that need phosphate controlling. Came close but felt too niche for a general ranking.

**Flourish Comprehensive** – Came down to Roger vs everyone else on this. Again, pretty much Flourish with actual macros added. Problem is it still doesn’t hold a candle to a REAL all in one fertilizer.

**TNC Complete** – Bobby was adamant this should be higher. Great product and price but didn’t feel quite unique enough to overrule some of the more popular names.

**DIY Dry Salt Mix** – Yes you can absolutely mix your own fertilizers from potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate, and trace elements. Comes highly recommended by Samuel. Does nobody likes math?

**Easy Carbon** – See Flourish Excel. Less efficient and half the price but if you need liquid carbon because you cant use CO2 for whatever reason why not?

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## Last thoughts…

Looking over this list were kind of shocked how little we disagreed on everything. Its not perfect, nobody can blame you for hating us over liquid carbon or rooting for your favorite fertilizer to be higher. But these are the products we’ve found that just work.

Why? No dinero motivated decisions on what NPK ratios to use. Every fertilizer on this list is readily available when you need it, reasonably priced for what you get, and have been tested by hundreds if not thousands of aquarium plants owners just like you.

Think we’re idiots? Sure you do. Y’all are probably wrong on at least two of these but go ahead let us know why.