Is tropica plant fertilizer good?

I am looking for some plant fertilizers and my lps has tropica plant fertilizer in stock right now. I know I will need to do some research into what type of fertilizer but just want to know if the brand is good.

I would also love to hear what you use! and I have a amazon sword plant from my sisters tank and took it out as it was dying in there (I heard they needed fertilizers so maybe that is why?) what type of fertilizer is best for amazon sword plants? and last question... do different types of plants need different fertilizers? or can I use one single kind for all my plants?

thanks! and sorry for all the questions I have never used fertilizers before and what to make sure I get the right one.

 

I am looking for some plant fertilizers and my lps has tropica plant fertilizer in stock right now. I know I will need to do some research into what type of fertilizer but just want to know if the brand is good.

I would also love to hear what you use! and I have a amazon sword plant from my sisters tank and took it out as it was dying in there (I heard they needed fertilizers so maybe that is why?) what type of fertilizer is best for amazon sword plants? and last question... do different types of plants need different fertilizers? or can I use one single kind for all my plants?

thanks! and sorry for all the questions I have never used fertilizers before and what to make sure I get the right one.

Hi there. I have no experience with tropica but sword plants do best with fertilizer tablets rather than liquid as they feed at the root rather than the water column.

 

Hi there. I have no experience with tropica but sword plants do best with fertilizer tablets rather than liquid as they feed at the root rather than the water column.

thank you so much! Is there a fertilizer tablet you would recommend?

 

do different types of plants need different fertilizers?

Generally, no. All plants take in the same nutrients, though some need more than others (for example: red plants often need more iron to maintain their red colours). I'm sure there are some special, difficult plants which need certain fertilizers out there, but if you stick to common, relatively easy plants one good fertilizer often works for all.

I am looking for some plant fertilizers and my lps has tropica plant fertilizer in stock right now. I know I will need to do some research into what type of fertilizer but just want to know if the brand is good.

I've heard mostly good things about tropica, but I've never dabbled with them myself. Someone who has can tell you about them.

what type of fertilizer is best for amazon sword plants?

Many hobbyists recommend root tabs for swords since they are known to be heavy root feeders. But there have been experiments done where hobbyist/scientists will provide swords and other root feeders with root tabs on one side of a tank and in the other they are dosed with regular liquid fertilizer. The results of these tests is that there is not much difference; amazon swords and other root feeders will draw as much nutrients from the substrate as they do the water column. If I were you I would buy liquid ferts first and see how the swords do for a few weeks. Especially since you keep other plants which are not root feeders, you can really use the liquid ferts.

I would also love to hear what you use!

I don't use any fertilizer in my tank. But I only have a couple pygmy swords, crypts, and limnophila sessiflora.

If you are going to buy a liquid fertilizer, do research about the nutrients that plants need and learn about macro and micro nutrients. You don't want to dump a ton of money on a fertilizer such as SeaChem Flourish or API Leaf Zone and later learn they only provide your plants with micro nutrients. Also, I would recommend to research plant nutrient deficiencies.

Many hobbyists don't fertilize their tanks at all, or only do so when plants are showing signs of nutrient deficiencies. I don't fertilize and my pygmy swords grow a new leaf every few days (keep in mind I only have 3 plants in my tank, and 1 fish + 1 snail). Everyone's tank is different. What works for some definitely will not always work for others. You have probably heard this a million times before, it is just especially true for planted tanks.

One more matter - dry fertilizers. For those who run a ton of heavily planted tanks, dry ferts often save them tons of money. Dry ferts are pure nutrients, as opposed to a liquid fertilizer which is ~90-80% water and 10-20% nutrient mix. Long-term, dry ferts are much more cost effective imo. They also can come in separate packages, which means you can create your own custom fertilizers to suit your tanks' needs. BUT dry ferts can be extremely confusing and get way too far into the science behind an aquairum - not for someone such as yourself who is just getting into fertilizers. Just something to keep in mind.

Disclaimer: I am the inexperienced one here - all I have done is a ton of research, so take my reply with a grain of salt. Also, I apologize for not really answering the question in your title, or if am indeed acting like I have been doing this for years/treating you like a beginner. That's all.

I recommend to check out the following threads:
Seachem Fertilizers And What They Do | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 180151
Everything you need to know about fertilizers in one place | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 227835
A Beginner's Guide To Plant Fertilizers | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 363013
Info Before You Buy Flourish And Ferts In General | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 275661
Deficiency List for Plants | Aquarium Plants Forum | 168302
Not a stickied thread - but one with good information nonetheless:
Fertilizer vs. Root Tabs? | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 490891
(Most of these are stickied in the plant forum)

 

Generally, no. All plants take in the same nutrients, though some need more than others (for example: red plants often need more iron to maintain their red colours). I'm sure there are some special, difficult plants which need certain fertilizers out there, but if you stick to common, relatively easy plants one good fertilizer often works for all.



I've heard mostly good things about tropica, but I've never dabbled with them myself. Someone who has can tell you about them.


Many hobbyists recommend root tabs for swords since they are known to be heavy root feeders. But there have been experiments done where hobbyist/scientists will provide swords and other root feeders with root tabs on one side of a tank and in the other they are dosed with regular liquid fertilizer. The results of these tests is that there is not much difference; amazon swords and other root feeders will draw as much nutrients from the substrate as they do the water column. If I were you I would buy liquid ferts first and see how the swords do for a few weeks. Especially since you keep other plants which are not root feeders, you can really use the liquid ferts.


I don't use any fertilizer in my tank. But I only have a couple pygmy swords, crypts, and limnophila sessiflora.

If you are going to buy a liquid fertilizer, do research about the nutrients that plants need and learn about macro and micro nutrients. You don't want to dump a ton of money on a fertilizer such as SeaChem Flourish or API Leaf Zone and later learn they only provide your plants with micro nutrients. Also, I would recommend to research plant nutrient deficiencies.

Many hobbyists don't fertilize their tanks at all, or only do so when plants are showing signs of nutrient deficiencies. I don't fertilize and my pygmy swords grow a new leaf every few days (keep in mind I only have 3 plants in my tank, and 1 fish + 1 snail). Everyone's tank is different. What works for some definitely will not always work for others. You have probably heard this a million times before, it is just especially true for planted tanks.

One more matter - dry fertilizers. For those who run a ton of heavily planted tanks, dry ferts often save them tons of money. Dry ferts are pure nutrients, as opposed to a liquid fertilizer which is ~90-80% water and 10-20% nutrient mix. Long-term, dry ferts are much more cost effective imo. They also can come in separate packages, which means you can create your own custom fertilizers to suit your tanks' needs. BUT dry ferts can be extremely confusing and get way too far into the science behind an aquairum - not for someone such as yourself who is just getting into fertilizers. Just something to keep in mind.

Disclaimer: I am the inexperienced one here - all I have done is a ton of research, so take my reply with a grain of salt. Also, I apologize for not really answering the question in your title, or if am indeed acting like I have been doing this for years/treating you like a beginner. That's all.

I recommend to check out the following threads:
Seachem Fertilizers And What They Do | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 180151
Everything you need to know about fertilizers in one place | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 227835
A Beginner's Guide To Plant Fertilizers | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 363013
Info Before You Buy Flourish And Ferts In General | Plant Fertilizer Forum | 275661
Deficiency List for Plants | Aquarium Plants Forum | 168302
(Most of these are stickied in the plant forum)

thanks you did answer a ton! I do have a sword plant that is not doing so well and my only guess is from lack of nutrients as ph temp and size is right so I would like to get some sort of supplement for it.

also you might know....so lots of plants will say they need fertilizers is this true? or will they just do better with them? I keep lots of beginner non fertilizer plants and most of them are doing great without any fertilizers!

 

so lots of plants will say they need fertilizers, is this true?

It depends on the plant and the nutrient levels kept in your tank. I would recommend to dose with a quality, all-in-one fert just to be safe, and to avoid guesswork. If you want the best out of your plants, and that sword to grow over a foot long, fertilize.

will they just do better with them?

Plants and fish are similar in that sense - they can both survive and live, and grow perfectly fine without special food or the perfect environment, but they will thrive with them. If you fertilize with the right light and environment, plants will grow faster, larger, and prettier, and if you feed fish a high-quality, varied diet in an optimal environment, they will live their best life and show their best colours.

I keep lots of beginner non fertilizer plants and most of them are doing great without any fertilizers!

As I mentioned above - easy plants such as the ones you're keeping will do great without ferts, as long as they have the right environment and proper lighting. If you fertilize they will truly thrive and show you what they can become. Even your anubias and java moss will show some faster growth!

 

okay thank you so much! I think I understand a bit better now! I will do some more research into what is the best fertilizer for what I need but you answered lots so thanks!

 

Before buying any ferts look up your local water report! Tap water from many places already contain nitrates and phosphates...which are fertilizers....so if you add additional ferts you might just be feeding algae

 

Before buying any ferts look up your local water report! Tap water from many places already contain nitrates and phosphates...which are fertilizers....so if you add additional ferts you might just be feeding algae

oh thanks I will check! so if I do have them I won't need any fertilizers?

 

oh thanks I will check! so if I do have them I won't need any fertilizers?

Well nitrogen and phosphorus are two major elements needed for growth. So just by having those two a lot of the fertilization is taken care of. The other elements are needed less but if your water supply doesn't have them then you need to add those as well. The next major element needed is potassium and then the rest as you go down the list are needed in much smaller amounts....your tap water may or may not have them in trace amounts and it gets a bit harder to judge whether you need them or not...