On the market it is possible to find a fair choice of fertilizers, which can be liquid, in the form of fertile matter and in the form of tablets.
Unfortunately, many newbies underestimate the importance of proper fertilization and are unaware that doing it incorrectly can lead to various problems, such as algae infestation.
To live and develop, aquatic plants need water, CO2 and various nutrients.
These plants select the nutrients to be assimilated according to their needs, while those not used remain dissolved in the water available to the algae.
Aquatic plants absorb nutrients from the roots, leaves and stem.
It is important to specify that some elements are assimilable by plants in conditions of anoxia (absence of oxygen), because the ions enter an oxidation state and are therefore much more difficult to assimilate.
This is the case of the elements that are absorbed by the roots, since the bottom of an aquarium is in effect an anoxic environment.
The different types of nutrients
Nutrients can be divided into:
- Macronutrients
- Micronutrients
- Trace elements.
Macronutrients are essential for the growth of any plant and must be supplied in large quantities. These are:
- Nitrogen
- Sulfur
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Potassium.
The micronutrients are however fundamental but must be supplied in smaller quantities, and are needed for the production of new organic matter. We are talking about:
- Iron
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Copper
- Boron
- Cobalt
- Molybdenum.
Finally, there are the trace elements, such as sodium.
Then there is another important subdivision, namely that between movable and immovable elements.
The former cannot be moved from one part to another within the plant structure and they are:
- Boron
- Copper
- Calcium
- Iron
- Sulfur
- Manganese.
If some of these elements are missing, you will notice that the new leaves will remain small in size and light in colour, as they will not be able to complete their development.
The mobile elements, on the other hand, can be transferred from one part to another, by means of the sap, according to the needs of the plant itself.
These elements are:
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Molybdenum.
If these elements are missing, however, you will observe the older leaves die early, to leave the new leaves the nutrients necessary for their development.
These nutrients must be balanced with each other, as a wrong proportion of a single element can compromise another.