Chemicals and Additives

Water care products fall into four groups. Tests show the state of the water, conditioners and bacteria make tap water safe for fish, fertilisers feed the plants, and absorbents, algae control and medicines deal with specific problems. Each group has its own job and one does not replace another.

Most trouble starts when products are added on a guess. Cloudy water or algae can come from overfeeding, a photoperiod that is too long or a weak filter, and no additive removes those causes. Test before and after a change and write the results down.

Absorbents and activated carbon work in the filter and bind excess substances, but also medicines, so take them out during treatment. Liquid fertiliser reaches plants through the water and suits stem plants; root tablets feed root-feeding plants such as cryptocorynes.