Recommendations for an all-in-one fertilizer

[NC AL]

As the title suggests, I would appreciate recommendations from you experts for a good all-in-one fertilizer. My plan is to dose daily using a dosing pump (with additions after water changes.)

Preferences:
Can buy in larger quantities, 500 or more.
Can be purchased somewhere local or with free shipping
Reasonable price is always appreciated.

Links are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Unexpected]

Make your own and save money. Kits available on Green Leaf Aquariums and other places. Every single AIO is just too expensive for what you get.

 

[FatPleco]

Make your own and save money. Kits available on Green Leaf Aquariums and other places. Every single AIO is just too expensive for what you get.

Any brand of dry salts to recommend in Asia or Europe ?

 

[JayP]

I'm making the switch to @Burr740's dry ferts at Burr Aqua and he has an all-in-one dry fert.

I have been using APT 3 from @Dennis Wong's 2HR Aquarist up until now and will to continue using it until it runs out. It and the other APT products are great but the price can weigh you down after awhile, especially if you have a lot of tanks.

 

[Unexpected]

Any brand of dry salts to recommend in Asia or Europe ?

You'll have to ask around locally who might know. Unless a few folks here are from your area. I believe a some are and they'll chime in shortly. Here it's readily available even off Amazon.

 

[Koan]

Any brand of dry salts to recommend in Asia or Europe

Here's a discussion on that at UKAPS.. geographically UK is still part of Europe

UK Source for dry ferts, recipe and dosing

Hi all, I'd like to start mixing my own fertiliser for a 180L heavily planted tank. I've read loads of threads on here and elsewhere, but wanted something really simple: I'm in the UK - what's the best place to buy the dry ferts (links welcome). By "best" I mean quality and value for money...

www.ukaps.org

 

[NC AL]

Make your own and save money. Kits available on Green Leaf Aquariums and other places. Every single AIO is just too expensive for what you get.

I am newer to planted tanks, so for now I am sticking to premade. I am a DIY guy, it one thing at a time.

I'm making the switch to @Burr740's dry ferts at Burr Aqua and he has an all-in-one dry fert.

For my convenience it needs to be liquid. Could it be mixed and stay dissolved in a liquid for lengthy periods of time?

 

[JayP]

For my convenience it needs to be liquid. Could it be mixed and stay dissolved in a liquid for lengthy periods of time?

I think his dry packs, once mixed with distilled water, have a shelf life of up to 5 years. He does recommend shaking them before use though. I just recently purchased the packs that make a 1 gallon batch. His official online storefront isn't open yet but you can message him here in the forum to place orders.

 

[Unexpected]

I am newer to planted tanks, so for now I am sticking to premade. I am a DIY guy, it one thing at a time

NilocG is well balanced. It's called Nilocg Thrive. I do believe he sells larger volumes for some savings.

 

[TRyan]

I am newer to planted tanks, so for now I am sticking to premade. I am a DIY guy, it one thing at a time.



For my convenience it needs to be liquid. Could it be mixed and stay dissolved in a liquid for lengthy periods of time?

Yes, it has an in solution shelf life of 5+ years. The most economical approach is to get the gallon pack of whatever you want: you just buy a gallon of distilled water and add the packet to it

pick your dosing style
(High light CO2 injected) or
(Low light non CO2), OR
(Complete low energy) Which also includes micros.

Here's some details instructions:

 

[Pepere]

I am newer to planted tanks, so for now I am sticking to premade. I am a DIY guy, it one thing at a time.

Well just keep in the back of your mind that a premixed bottle of All in One fertilizer that costs about $24.00 might only have under $2.00 of fertilizer salts in it.

And literally it takes maybe 15 minutes to weigh and mix the compounds yourself to make a comparable liquid solution…

Premixed solutions offer convenience especially for someone with a smaller tank who doesnt have co2 injection and is not doing large weekly water changes. Ie if I only had a single 20-30 gallon tank with simple plants and no CO2 I would find the convenience of an all in one compelling and the cost savings of mixing my own, not worth the bother…

There is a bit of a learning curve to mixing your own…. And initially the thought of it was overwhelming, but after I had done it a few times I wished I had started it months earlier.

 

[Kwyet]

Yes, it has an in solution shelf life of 5+ years. The most economical approach is to get the gallon pack of whatever you want: you just buy a gallon of distilled water and add the packet to it

pick your dosing style
(High light CO2 injected) or
(Low light non CO2), OR
(Complete low energy) Which also includes micros.

Here's some details instructions:
View attachment 16144

As an addition, here is a pic of the All-In-One directions.

 

[snowballs99]

I think his dry packs, once mixed with distilled water, have a shelf life of up to 5 years. He does recommend shaking them before use though. I just recently purchased the packs that make a 1 gallon batch. His official online storefront isn't open yet but you can message him here in the forum to place orders.

I recommend diluting it to half strength for the micros.
I noticed a lot of settling, but no settling once diluted, the mix is seems just barely on the cusp of soluability.

 

[NC AL]

Well just keep in the back of your mind that a premixed bottle of All in One fertilizer that costs about $24.00 might only have under $2.00 of fertilizer salts in it.

And literally it takes maybe 15 minutes to weigh and mix the compounds yourself to make a comparable liquid solution…

As long as it is a all in one mix, making the solution myself is not a problem. I do this with my reef tank. I am just not at a point where I have the knowledge to mix several ingredients and know what ratios. No yet anyway...

I recommend diluting it to half strength for the micros.
I noticed a lot of settling, but no settling once diluted, the mix is seems just barely on the cusp of soluability.

Great to know. This should make it more stable in solution for which would work best for me. I could easily adjust dosing amounts accordingly.

 

[Pepere]

I am just not at a point where I have the knowledge to mix several ingredients and know what ratios. No yet anyway...

There are plenty of recipes available just like cooking. In essence so many grams of this, so many milligrams of that…

You dont need to figure out the correct ratios yourself.

I make two 1,000 ml dosing bottles, one of macronutrients another of micronutrients and I dose both of them daily. For me it is just easier to feed the plants daily when I am feeding the fish…

@Burr740 gallon mix where Joe provides preweighed compounds that you simply add to a gallon of distilled water certainly has appeal due to convenience as well and is without a doubt a quality formulation

 

[BranchScape]

There is no right answer so much as just don't fall into the trap of some of the lower quality options like Seachem and the need for endless bottles.

For me the choice was APT3 or dry ferts from Burr and do a large batch every 6 months.

I do APT 3 and buy the largest container now, it lasts 1/2 a year. I do maybe 40ml a week between each tank. The cost of $100 a year doesn't move the needle for me relative to the time and thought of mixing and making sure I get rodi. Which is easy to do but it is one more step to make the 1 year supply of that and I don't need or own a RODI (my water is soft and I have a whole house filter that removes most things I don't want except PFAS). I am trying to dial in where I input my energy and where the min max side of the hobby has diminishing returns relative to time and thought to avoid burn out.

It's up to you to decide that for yourself. If I did a super high energy farm/garden tank like many here I would revisit this.

 

[NC AL]

I do APT 3 and buy the largest container now, it lasts 1/2 a year. I do maybe 40ml a week between each tank. The cost of $100 a year doesn't move the needle for me relative to the time and thought of mixing and making sure I get rodi. Which is easy to do but it is one more step to make the 1 year supply of that and I don't need or own a RODI (my water is soft and I have a whole house filter that removes most things I don't want except PFAS). I am trying to dial in where I input my energy and where the min max side of the hobby has diminishing returns relative to time and thought to avoid burn out.

It's up to you to decide that for yourself. If I did a super high energy farm/garden tank like many here I would revisit this.

I completely agree. I need this to remain a fun hobby and not become a chore. The last several years of reef keeping has made me realize this. I do have a rodi system, so a premix wouldn't be hard as long as it is stable in solution. Mixing a month at time wouldn't be an issue.