HOW TO 2025.03.28
Idea for nutrient additions in Nature Aquarium
In Nature Aquarium, beautiful aquascapes are created by growing healthy aquatic plants. Although the liquid fertilizers and additives are to be used to grow healthy aquatic plants, aquatic plants will not grow in healthy conditions if the liquid fertilizers and additives are added to aquarium tanks without consideration. In order to grow healthy aquatic plants, it is necessary to add adequate types and amounts of liquid fertilizers to aquarium tanks while properly using aquarium tank systems such as substrate, filter, lighting equipment and CO2 system etc. The basic idea for nutrient additions in Nature Aquarium is that “Adding nutrients that are deficient makes aquatic plants absorb excessive nutrients”. For the substrates for planting aquatic plants, Power Sand series and Aqua Soil series are used, and they contain basic nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). And because nitrogen and phosphorus are supplied from food and excrement of fish and invertebrates in aquarium tanks, nitrogen and phosphorus tend to be excessive in the aquarium tanks. And it is one of the causes of algae outbreaks. Even a small amount of phosphorus can promote algae growth. To prevent algae from increasing, the key is to use Aqua Conditioner, Clear Water in the aquarium to remove as much phosphorus as possible. For that reason, phosphorus is not contained in the current ADA liquid fertilizers (phosphorus required for the growth of aquatic plants is supplied from substrates). In contrast to nitrogen and phosphorus which have a tendency to be excessive in aquarium tanks, nutrients to be easily deficient are potassium (K), sulfur (S) and iron (Fe) as well as trace elements such as magnesium (Mg) and boron (B). In Nature Aquarium, by diligently adding these nutrients that have a tendency to be deficient to aquarium tanks, it promotes nutrient absorption of aquatic plants and makes aquatic plants quickly absorb nitrogen and phosphorus that tend to be excessive in aquarium tanks. And because the current ADA liquid fertilizers are categorized depending on ingredients contained in the fertilizers, the fundamental principal is to add a combination of appropriate types depending on the conditions of aquarium tanks.
Brightly K / Green Brighty Neutral K
In Nature Aquarium, the first nutrient noticed to be added to the water was potassium (K). Although potassium is a nutrient that many plants need as well as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), unlike nitrogen and phosphorus that are supplied greatly from fish food and excrement, it had been a cause for limiting the growth of aquatic plants because there is not an efficient source of supply. Brighty K is a liquid fertilizer developed by getting hints from wood ash which contains a lot of potassium. And by adding it to an aquarium tank, aquatic plants immediately absorb potassium from the leaf surfaces. The potassium absorbed by aquatic plants functions as coenzyme to help various reactions of enzymes in the cells. Therefore, if potassium is deficient, aquatic plants cannot grow in healthy conditions. And Brighty K which has its origin in an aqueous solution of wood ash is strong alkaline liquid. For that reason, when it is added to an aquarium tank, it temporarily increases pH, and some aquatic plants don’t grow well depending on types. Especially with stemmed plants from South America that prefer acidic water such as Syngonanthus sp., the impact can be seen noticeably. After improving the issue, a neutral liquid fertilizer developed in order to control pH is Green Brighty Neutral K. The effect for supplying potassium is the same for both. And because some aquatic plants such as Hemianthus micranthemoides prefer neutral to slightly alkaline water, Brightly K and Green Brighty Neutral K are appropriately used depending on types of aquatic plants to be grown in the current Nature Aquarium.
Brightly K – Product Information
Green Brighty Neutral K – Product Information
In Nature Aquarium, the first nutrient noticed to be added to the water was potassium (K). Although potassium is a nutrient that many plants need as well as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), unlike nitrogen and phosphorus that are supplied greatly from fish food and excrement, it had been a cause for limiting the growth of aquatic plants because there is not an efficient source of supply. Brighty K is a liquid fertilizer developed by getting hints from wood ash which contains a lot of potassium. And by adding it to an aquarium tank, aquatic plants immediately absorb potassium from the leaf surfaces. The potassium absorbed by aquatic plants functions as coenzyme to help various reactions of enzymes in the cells. Therefore, if potassium is deficient, aquatic plants cannot grow in healthy conditions. And Brighty K which has its origin in an aqueous solution of wood ash is strong alkaline liquid. For that reason, when it is added to an aquarium tank, it temporarily increases pH, and some aquatic plants don’t grow well depending on types. Especially with stemmed plants from South America that prefer acidic water such as Syngonanthus sp., the impact can be seen noticeably. After improving the issue, a neutral liquid fertilizer developed in order to control pH is Green Brighty Neutral K. The effect for supplying potassium is the same for both. And because some aquatic plants such as Hemianthus micranthemoides prefer neutral to slightly alkaline water, Brightly K and Green Brighty Neutral K are appropriately used depending on types of aquatic plants to be grown in the current Nature Aquarium.
Brightly K – Product Information
Green Brighty Neutral K – Product Information
Green Brighty Mineral
Terrestrial plants simultaneously absorb nutrients and water from the roots. However, aquatic plants that grow underwater are able to absorb nutrients not only from the roots but also the surfaces of leaves and stems. This is the biggest ecological characteristic of aquatic plants, and a valid reason for adding liquid fertilizers to aquarium tanks. Although the common key nutrients for all plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), there are various trace elements as nutrients essential for the growth of plants besides them. In Nature Aquarium, the trace elements are dissolved from substrates such as Power Sand and Aqua Soil, and minerals such as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contained in tap water are replenished by changing the water. Types and amounts of the trace elements are unbalanced with just them, and there is a chance that aquatic plants don’t grow in healthy conditions. The trace elements absorbed by aquatic plants are essential for the function of compounding amino acids and proteins in cells, the function of activating various enzymes and the function of creating structures such as cell walls of aquatic plants themselves. For that reason, if it’s deficient, poor growth, chlorosis and xanthosis of leaves, and dysplasia of new buds and leaves would be seen. Green Brighty Mineral is a liquid fertilizer to supply trace elements such as sulfur (S), iron (Fe), boron (B), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) which all tend to lack in aquarium tanks. By adding appropriate amounts to an aquarium tank daily where all the conditions such as substrates, lightings and CO2 systems are met, colors of aquatic plants improve, and they can grow in healthy conditions.
Green Brighty Mineral – Product Information
Green Brighty Iron
Among trace elements indispensable for the growth of healthy aquatic plants, iron (Fe) is especially important. The iron dissolved in water exists in two forms such as ferrous iron (Fe2+) and ferric iron (Fe3+). But a form of iron that plants can absorb and use is only ferrous iron. Consequently, many plants except Poaceae plants absorb iron after changing ferric iron to ferrous iron in the roots. If it is an aquatic plant that can absorb nutrients in the water directly from the leaf surfaces, the absorbent becomes faster by supplying iron in ferrous iron form because this process can be omitted. But the ferrous iron immediately becomes ferric iron or iron hydroxide in aquarium tanks, and it would be unable for aquatic plants to absorb iron directly from the leaf surfaces. With Green Brighty Iron, in order to stably supply ferrous iron to aquatic plants, the absorption efficiency is enhanced by combining chelated iron and acid. The chelated iron is iron that chemically altered (chelated) to avoid ferrous iron from combining with other substances, and when the chelated iron comes in contact with leaf surfaces of aquatic plants, the ferrous iron is immediately absorbed. Because the chelated iron stably function in the acidic water condition, it becomes readily available for the plants to use when adding it with acid to aquarium tanks. Because the iron absorbed by aquatic plants is used for synthesis of chlorophyll essential for photosynthesis and electron transport chains in chloroplasts, colors of leaves become faded, and photosynthesis cannot be performed sufficiently if there is a lack of iron. And iron is used together with sulfur (S) in chloroplasts. Because Green Brighty Iron contains sulfur, it can be simultaneously supplied with iron. Iron and sulfur are contained also in Green Brighty Mineral because the demand volume increases as aquatic plants grow. Please add it combining with Green Brighty Iron when the aquatic plants start thriving after 1~2 months from the initial planting (※Green Brighty Iron does not contain any trace elements except iron and sulfur).
Green Brighty Iron – Product Information
Terrestrial plants simultaneously absorb nutrients and water from the roots. However, aquatic plants that grow underwater are able to absorb nutrients not only from the roots but also the surfaces of leaves and stems. This is the biggest ecological characteristic of aquatic plants, and a valid reason for adding liquid fertilizers to aquarium tanks. Although the common key nutrients for all plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), there are various trace elements as nutrients essential for the growth of plants besides them. In Nature Aquarium, the trace elements are dissolved from substrates such as Power Sand and Aqua Soil, and minerals such as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contained in tap water are replenished by changing the water. Types and amounts of the trace elements are unbalanced with just them, and there is a chance that aquatic plants don’t grow in healthy conditions. The trace elements absorbed by aquatic plants are essential for the function of compounding amino acids and proteins in cells, the function of activating various enzymes and the function of creating structures such as cell walls of aquatic plants themselves. For that reason, if it’s deficient, poor growth, chlorosis and xanthosis of leaves, and dysplasia of new buds and leaves would be seen. Green Brighty Mineral is a liquid fertilizer to supply trace elements such as sulfur (S), iron (Fe), boron (B), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) which all tend to lack in aquarium tanks. By adding appropriate amounts to an aquarium tank daily where all the conditions such as substrates, lightings and CO2 systems are met, colors of aquatic plants improve, and they can grow in healthy conditions.
Green Brighty Mineral – Product Information
Green Brighty Iron
Among trace elements indispensable for the growth of healthy aquatic plants, iron (Fe) is especially important. The iron dissolved in water exists in two forms such as ferrous iron (Fe2+) and ferric iron (Fe3+). But a form of iron that plants can absorb and use is only ferrous iron. Consequently, many plants except Poaceae plants absorb iron after changing ferric iron to ferrous iron in the roots. If it is an aquatic plant that can absorb nutrients in the water directly from the leaf surfaces, the absorbent becomes faster by supplying iron in ferrous iron form because this process can be omitted. But the ferrous iron immediately becomes ferric iron or iron hydroxide in aquarium tanks, and it would be unable for aquatic plants to absorb iron directly from the leaf surfaces. With Green Brighty Iron, in order to stably supply ferrous iron to aquatic plants, the absorption efficiency is enhanced by combining chelated iron and acid. The chelated iron is iron that chemically altered (chelated) to avoid ferrous iron from combining with other substances, and when the chelated iron comes in contact with leaf surfaces of aquatic plants, the ferrous iron is immediately absorbed. Because the chelated iron stably function in the acidic water condition, it becomes readily available for the plants to use when adding it with acid to aquarium tanks. Because the iron absorbed by aquatic plants is used for synthesis of chlorophyll essential for photosynthesis and electron transport chains in chloroplasts, colors of leaves become faded, and photosynthesis cannot be performed sufficiently if there is a lack of iron. And iron is used together with sulfur (S) in chloroplasts. Because Green Brighty Iron contains sulfur, it can be simultaneously supplied with iron. Iron and sulfur are contained also in Green Brighty Mineral because the demand volume increases as aquatic plants grow. Please add it combining with Green Brighty Iron when the aquatic plants start thriving after 1~2 months from the initial planting (※Green Brighty Iron does not contain any trace elements except iron and sulfur).
Green Brighty Iron – Product Information
Green Brighty Nitrogen
Among all the nutrients that aquatic plants absorb, nitrogen (N) is most demanded. And it is important not only because it is necessary for the healthy growth of leaves and stems but also it has an effect for activating photosynthesis. But in Nature Aquarium, because substrates such as Power Sand series and Aqua Soil series contain plenty of nitrogen, and it is always supplied from food and excrement of fish and invertebrates too, there aren’t many shortages. Although nitrogen can be supplied with Green Brighty Nitrogen, algae such as Spirogyra tends to increase if nitrogen is added excessively more than the absorption amount of aquatic plants. Therefore, it can be said that it is a nutrient that needs a special attention when it is added. The situations for Green Brighty Nitrogen to be added are a few months after an initial aquarium tank setup, when the growth speed of aquatic plants slows down due to a decrease of nitrogen supplied from substrates, the poor growth of aquatic plants caused by extremely low amount of fish and invertebrates in an aquarium tank. Forms of nitrogen that aquatic plants can absorb from its leaf surfaces are urea (CH4N20), ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate ion (NO3-). And because particularly urea can be easily absorbed from the leaf surfaces of plants, it is the main component of Green Brighty Nitrogen. Urea that doesn’t get absorbed by aquatic plants immediately transforms to ammonium or nitrate ion by the functions of bacteria attached on filter media in a filtration system. Even these forms can be absorbed by aquatic plants as well. For supplying nitrogen, Green Brighty Nitrogen is suitable for stemmed plants and tape shaped aquatic plants that actively absorb nutrients from the leaf surfaces. But for supplying nitrogen to aquatic plants such as Glossostigma and Cryptocoryne that perform well absorbent from the roots, use of Bottom Plus, stick type solid nutrient to be put in substrates is effective.
Green Brighty Nitrogen – Product Information
Among all the nutrients that aquatic plants absorb, nitrogen (N) is most demanded. And it is important not only because it is necessary for the healthy growth of leaves and stems but also it has an effect for activating photosynthesis. But in Nature Aquarium, because substrates such as Power Sand series and Aqua Soil series contain plenty of nitrogen, and it is always supplied from food and excrement of fish and invertebrates too, there aren’t many shortages. Although nitrogen can be supplied with Green Brighty Nitrogen, algae such as Spirogyra tends to increase if nitrogen is added excessively more than the absorption amount of aquatic plants. Therefore, it can be said that it is a nutrient that needs a special attention when it is added. The situations for Green Brighty Nitrogen to be added are a few months after an initial aquarium tank setup, when the growth speed of aquatic plants slows down due to a decrease of nitrogen supplied from substrates, the poor growth of aquatic plants caused by extremely low amount of fish and invertebrates in an aquarium tank. Forms of nitrogen that aquatic plants can absorb from its leaf surfaces are urea (CH4N20), ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate ion (NO3-). And because particularly urea can be easily absorbed from the leaf surfaces of plants, it is the main component of Green Brighty Nitrogen. Urea that doesn’t get absorbed by aquatic plants immediately transforms to ammonium or nitrate ion by the functions of bacteria attached on filter media in a filtration system. Even these forms can be absorbed by aquatic plants as well. For supplying nitrogen, Green Brighty Nitrogen is suitable for stemmed plants and tape shaped aquatic plants that actively absorb nutrients from the leaf surfaces. But for supplying nitrogen to aquatic plants such as Glossostigma and Cryptocoryne that perform well absorbent from the roots, use of Bottom Plus, stick type solid nutrient to be put in substrates is effective.
Green Brighty Nitrogen – Product Information
ECA Plus / Green Gain Plus
In Nature Aquarium, besides Green Brighty series, liquid fertilizers to be added daily, there are liquid additives for use depending on the conditions of aquatic plants and aquarium tanks. ECA Plus is a liquid additive to improve chlorosis of aquatic plants by rapidly enhancing the concentration of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and sulfur (S) in the water. Basically, it is a high concentration version of Green Brighty Iron. The ferrous iron is easier to be absorbed by aquatic plants because organic acid is strengthened. And because magnesium (Mg) which is the main component of chlorophyll is also strengthened, the chlorosis of aquatic plants can be effectively improved. However, because ECA Plus has very high iron concentration, residual iron in the water after not being absorbed becomes iron hydroxide when used and maintained for a long time. As a result, brown colored stains will be left on surfaces of Bio Rio and diffusing surfaces of Pollen Glass. In order to avoid such a situation from occurring, when the chlorosis of aquatic plants improves after adding ECA Plus, please switch it to Green Brighty Iron that has concentration suitable for daily use (use Green Brighty Mineral simultaneously). Green Gain Plus is a liquid additive that contains cytokinin (a kind of plant hormones) derived from seaweed and betaine (a kind of amino acid). It has an effect for promoting new buds and nutrient absorbent. Accordingly, it should be added to aquarium tanks for the purpose of improving conditions of aquatic plants when they are severely stressed, for example stemmed plants immediately after being trimmed. Because boron (B) that is a trace element essential when forming new buds is strengthen, stemmed plants can be flourished faster after trimming. Because a lot of organic matters derived from seaweed are contained in Green Gain Plus, it may cause dirty water if used continuously for a long time. When new buds are formed to some extent, only regular nutrients should be added.
ECA Plus – Product Information
Green Gain Plus – Product Information
In Nature Aquarium, besides Green Brighty series, liquid fertilizers to be added daily, there are liquid additives for use depending on the conditions of aquatic plants and aquarium tanks. ECA Plus is a liquid additive to improve chlorosis of aquatic plants by rapidly enhancing the concentration of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and sulfur (S) in the water. Basically, it is a high concentration version of Green Brighty Iron. The ferrous iron is easier to be absorbed by aquatic plants because organic acid is strengthened. And because magnesium (Mg) which is the main component of chlorophyll is also strengthened, the chlorosis of aquatic plants can be effectively improved. However, because ECA Plus has very high iron concentration, residual iron in the water after not being absorbed becomes iron hydroxide when used and maintained for a long time. As a result, brown colored stains will be left on surfaces of Bio Rio and diffusing surfaces of Pollen Glass. In order to avoid such a situation from occurring, when the chlorosis of aquatic plants improves after adding ECA Plus, please switch it to Green Brighty Iron that has concentration suitable for daily use (use Green Brighty Mineral simultaneously). Green Gain Plus is a liquid additive that contains cytokinin (a kind of plant hormones) derived from seaweed and betaine (a kind of amino acid). It has an effect for promoting new buds and nutrient absorbent. Accordingly, it should be added to aquarium tanks for the purpose of improving conditions of aquatic plants when they are severely stressed, for example stemmed plants immediately after being trimmed. Because boron (B) that is a trace element essential when forming new buds is strengthen, stemmed plants can be flourished faster after trimming. Because a lot of organic matters derived from seaweed are contained in Green Gain Plus, it may cause dirty water if used continuously for a long time. When new buds are formed to some extent, only regular nutrients should be added.
ECA Plus – Product Information
Green Gain Plus – Product Information
