Plants are an important part of any freshwater aquarium. They look good and provide benefits to the tank’s inhabitants by making the environment healthier for fish and other aquatic life.
There are different species of live plants that can be used in almost all kinds of aquariums, including saltwater, tropical, goldfish, or cichlid tanks.
Some plants are very easy to maintain, while others need more attention. But in general, live plants are considered beneficial for the fish habitat.
Aquarium owners who want to add live plants in their tanks should choose them carefully. To help you out, here is a guide on how to select freshwater aquarium plants.
When choosing which plant you want, especially if you are a beginner or new to the hobby, it’s good to buy an easy plant that doesn’t require much care.
But of course, plants should also look nice and attractive for your tank.
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Osmocote vs. Osmocote Plus
You may have seen several kinds of live freshwater plants in the market. Some are ready to be planted in your tank right from the store, while others need some preparation before they can be submerged into the water if you want a plant that is already prepared for your freshwater aquarium.
Osmocote is one of the best live plant fertilizer brands in the market. It’s very useful for freshwater aquariums because it contains the right amount of fertilizers that plants need to make them grow healthy and strong.
The Osmocote or Osmocote Plus formula is a time-released fertilizer that works for 12 weeks. It feeds the plants slowly and naturally.
Meanwhile, if you want to buy aquatic plants online, Java Moss is commonly sold and recommended for your aquarium.
This type of moss only grows under certain conditions and needs special attention. If you are wondering why this plant is so special, here are some of the reasons why you should have these plants in your freshwater tank.
The Major Difference Between Osmocote and Osmocote Plus?
Osmocote is a slow-release fertilizer. Osmocote contains 14% N, 8% P, 5% K, and 0.4% C for 12 weeks, while Osmocote Plus contains 13-13-13 with traces of macroelements for 12 weeks.
For this reason, we can say that there is no major difference between Osmocote and Osmocote Plus as they both offer the same amount of nutrients to your plants.
The difference is only with the ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium which differs slightly from one type to another.
If you want a more detailed comparison of these plant fertilizers, then you should check out the official comparison chart provided by Scotts Miracle-Gro.
It shows how different aquatic plants grow when given different amounts of Osmocote nutrient solutions. This chart will show you whether or not your aquarium’s water quality needs an adjustment based on what kind of fish inhabit it.
For example, suppose you have soft water. In that case, you will need to use soft water fertilizers, or if you have a water hardness of 30 ppm, your fertilizer will require a higher concentration of phosphorus to buffer the hardness.
Where Can I Find Osmocote Aquatic Fertilizer?
Osmocote is available in most local garden shops, or you can also buy it online. One of the best places to get Osmocote is Amazon.
It offers fast service and good prices. It ships quickly, usually on the same day if you live in major cities like New York or Chicago. There are also different Osmocote products that you can use for different aquatic plants.
It’s important that whatever type of plant fertilizer you use, all follow the label instructions so your fish will have clean water to live healthy lives.
How Do I Use Osmocote Plant Fertilizer?
You can easily find instructions on using this fertilizer on its label. It is a vital aspect because it will affect the growth and development of your fish.
The basic instructions are:
Water should be soft or medium hard – if you use a hard-water Osmocote fertilizer, then there’s a good chance your water quality will increase to alkalinity (a term used to describe the amount of carbonate in water). It can cause ph fluctuations which are dangerous for your fish.