What Aquarium Plant Food Is High in Manganese and Iron?

Aquariums are delicate ecosystems which lack the natural minerals of a natural habitat. Raising thriving plants in an aquarium requires providing the proper nutrients. Fertilizers come in three forms: granular fertilizer that is mixed into the substrate, tablets which release over time, and liquid fertilizer that is added into the water; most of these contain iron and manganese. It's important to monitor the pH levels and water hardness levels to keep your plants healthy and to determine whether a sickly plant's problem is overfeeding or water quality.

  1. Granular Fertilizer

    • The aquarium pictured uses stone gravel, and would need artificial fertilizers.

      Most professional aquarium stores offer granular fertilizers, but they're less common than liquid fertilizers. A majority of online aquarium stores offer independently manufactured substrate fertilizers, and they have a chemical analysis available to identify iron and manganese content. Granular fertilizers should be used in conjunction with natural substrate, like gravel made specifically for a planted aquarium; Flourite and most porous clay gravel contain high levels of iron and manganese.

    Tablet Fertilizers

    • Tablet plant fertilizers are more commonly available through major pet stores. These fertilizers last longer than liquid fertilizers. Tablets are placed at the bottom of the aquarium and need to be replaced once they've dissolved. Tablets should not be used as the primary source of nutrition for a planted aquarium. While tablets are commonly used for ponds, CrystalClear, Aquascape and API offer root health tablets high in iron and manganese for use in an aquarium.

    Liquid Fertilizers

    • Liquid fertilizers are added in during every water change to ensure proper fertilization, and they're available in specific elemental concentrations for your specific needs. The hazard for overfeeding your plants is higher with liquid fertilizers, so follow the directions carefully. Numerous liquid plant fertilizers include iron and manganese, but Kent Marine offers an iron and manganese liquid fertilizer specifically made to increase the concentrations of these minerals.

    Considerations and Risks

    • Increasing one set of minerals over another may decrease a plant's uptake of other important minerals; unless your plant specifically calls for higher levels of iron and manganese, it's best to stick to a balanced diet. Check to make sure that your aquarium's pH level is appropriate for the particular species you're growing, and visually check them regularly. Algae can cause significant problems to plants, but using proper levels of minerals in your tank may decrease its growth.