Phosphate and Nitrate Free Nutrient Solution

Instructions:

Dose 5 ml of this solution per 10 gallons water each week, testing regularly with an accurate CO2 test kit; alternately, you may dose 0.15 to .3 ml (2-4 drops) per 10 gallons daily. After observing the effect of this product on ornamental aquatic plants over a period of 2-3 weeks, adjust dosage accordingly.

Background:

One of the most widely used terms in the freshwater aquarium hobby is “nutrients”, but just what is a nutrient? For plants, a nutrient may be considered any substance that is required for plant growth, from a seed or cutting through the completion of the plant's life, resulting (at some point) in the production of new seeds. These substances are essential to the daily and long-term function of the plants. Macronutrients and micronutrients differ only in the relative amounts that they are utilized in by plants. Without these nutrients in adequate concentrations, plants will suffer and die.

Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants. Botanica Grow provides macronutrients as well as many micronutrients, in concentrations that are widely regarded by aquatic horticulturists as beneficial to most species of ornamental aquatic plants. Grow uses ingredients of the highest quality, and is free of gluconates and growth hormones. Grow was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Fe, K, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, KH+, and Vita supplements. While this product does provide a source of carbon, the use of a CO2 dosing system may be desired to further increase the rate of growth. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

Sources of Nutrients: Muriate of Potash, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Citrate, Iron EDTA.

Other Ingredients: Potassium Iodide

Micronutrient Solution

Instructions:

Dose 5 ml (1 capful from 8 oz. or 16 oz. bottle) of this solution per 10 gallons water once each week; alternately, you may add 0.8 ml (7 drops) per 10 gallons daily. After observing the effect of this product on ornamental aquatic plants over a period of 2-3 weeks, adjust dosage accordingly.

Background:

One of the most widely used terms in the freshwater aquarium hobby is “nutrients”, but just what is a nutrient? For plants, a nutrient may be considered any substance that is required for plant growth, from a seed or cutting through the completion of the plant's life, resulting (at some point) in the production of new seeds. These substances are essential to the daily and long-term function of the plants. Macronutrients and micronutrients differ only in the relative amounts that they are utilized in by plants. Without these nutrients in adequate concentrations, plants will suffer and die.

Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants. Botanica Micro provides several micronutrients in concentrations that are widely regarded by aquatic horticulturists as beneficial to most species of ornamental aquatic plants. Micro uses ingredients of the highest quality, and is free of gluconates and growth hormones. Micro was formulated to work in conjunction with Kent Botanica Nitro+, Phos+, Grow, Fe, K, GH+, KH+, and Vita supplements. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

Sources of Nutrients: Boric Acid, Cobalt Chloride, Copper Sulfate, Manganese EDTA, Sodium Molybdate, Zinc EDTA.

Other Ingredients: Rubidium Chloride, Sodium Metavanadate

Bio-Available Iron Supplement

Instructions:

Dose 1 ml (9 drops) of this solution per 10 gallons (40 L) every 3 days, testing regularly with an accurate iron test kit to maintain a concentration of 0.1 mg/L; alternately, you may dose 0.33 ml (3 drops) per 20 gallons daily. After observing the effect of this product on ornamental aquatic plants over a period of 2-3 weeks, adjust dosage accordingly. While plants and algae need more than just iron to proliferate, iron is often considered a biolimiting nutrient; that is to say, a sudden addition of iron to a system formerly lacking has a potential to “grow wild”. For that reason, it is always wise to add iron supplements at ½ the recommended dosage for the first two weeks until you are satisfied that the system is in balance.

Background:

Many aquatic plants take in nutrients not only through through their roots, but also through their leaves. This being the case, liquid supplements that contain the nutrients essential to the health and long-term maintenance of these plants can be used. There is a major benefit to using liquid supplements versus solid root additives: you can dose a liquid daily and calculate to within a small percentage how much of a given substance is in the system and available to plants. This is typically not the case with tablet fertilizers, which dissolve at different rates. The amount of supplement required depends on the stocking density of the aquarium, light intensity, and whether or not CO2 is supplemented.

Iron is considered a micronutrient for plants. Like magnesium, iron is needed for production of chlorophyll and activates many enzymes used in metabolic reactions. Many plants with natural red pigmentation intensify in color when an iron supplement is properly utilized. Formula Fe provides high quality bioavailable iron for your plants. The Kent Botanica line presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants without the use of hormones. Formula Fe was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Grow, K, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, KH+, and Vita supplements. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of inorganic carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration.

Sources of Nutrients: Iron EDTA

Nitrogen Supplement

Instructions:

Novice: Add 1 to 5 ml per 10 gallons (40 L) aquarium capacity, 1 to 3 times per week, depending on the quantity of plants (9 drops equals 1 ml, a capful on 8 or 16 oz. bottle equals 5 ml). After observing the effect of this product over a period of 2-3 weeks, adjust dosage accordingly. Advanced: Each 1 ml of this solution contains 10 mg of nitrogen or 44.2 mg of nitrate; after determining the nitrogen concentration in your system, add this product daily to slowly reach a concentration between 1 to 2.25 mg/L nitrogen (5 to 10 mg/L nitrate) for best plant growth.

Background:

True aquatic plants, as well as submersed marsh plants, share in common many things, among them the approximate ratio of carbon to nitrogen to phosphorus (C:N:P, or Redfield-Richards Ratio). In conditions of optimal light, temperature, adequate available carbon and micronutrient concentrations, maintaining a N:P ratio of 10 to 20:1(10 to 20 nitrogen atoms per 1 phosphorus atom) keeps plant growth steady; all other things being equal, greatly reducing this N:P ratio (particularly by having an overabundance of phosphate with all other nutrients present) may encourage algae growth. As a well-maintained planted aquarium ages and the concentration of exuded phenolic compounds increases, the likelihood for clean higher plant growth increases.

Maintaining the recommended N:P ratio is simply a way to help achieve greater plant growth while maintaining a cleaner system. In heavily planted aquariums, particularly those with intense lighting and CO2 supplementation (10-15 mg/L), it is often necessary to supplement nitrogen, as well as many other nutrients, in order to facilitate steady plant growth. Kent Botanica Nitro+ provides nitrogen that is readily available to plants. Because there are many modes of entry for nitrogen into an aquarium, this product should be used in conjunction with a test kit. After testing, add Botanica Nitro+ to achieve the desired nitrogen concentration (see Instructions above). Hobbyists are encouraged to observe the effects of these products after initial dosing and make adjustments to the dosing amount as required. Botanica Nitro+ is formulated to be used with other Kent Botanica products to provide all of the nutrient needs for aquatic plants.

Potassium Supplement

Instructions:

Dose 1 ml (9 drops) of this solution per 10 gallons (40 L) each week; alternately, you may dose 0.15 ml (2 drops) per 10 gallons daily. After observing the effect of this product on ornamental aquatic plants over a period of 2-3 weeks, adjust dosage accordingly.

Background:

Many aquatic plants take in nutrients not only in their roots, but also through their leaves. This being the case, liquid supplements that contain the nutrients essential to the health and long-term maintenance of these plants can be used. There is a major benefit to using liquid supplements versus solid root additives: you can dose a liquid daily and know exactly how much is in the system and available to plants. This is typically not the case with tablet fertilizers. By adding a liquid supplement daily, you are assured that all of the plants in the system are receiving the necessary ions. The amount of supplement used depends on the stocking density of the aquarium, light intensity, and whether or not CO2 is supplemented. Potassium is used by plants in many ways, such as during protein synthesis and the operation of stomata. However, one of its major functions may be in regulating the water balance within the plant. A severe imbalance of potassium could cause cell tissue to swell and rupture, damaging cell tissue. Formula K provides 40,000 mg/L of high quality potassium for your plants, however, without the use of any gluconate or hormones.

Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants. Formula K was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Grow, Fe, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, KH+, and Vita supplements. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of inorganic carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

Sources of Nutrients: Sulfate of Potash

Humic and Tannic Acid

Instructions:

Dose 5 ml (1 capful) of this solution per 10 gallons weekly and after water changes. After observing the effect of this product on ornamental aquatic plants over a period of 2-3 weeks, adjust dosage accordingly.

Background:

Humic acids and tannins are often present in water that has passed or been filtered through an organic derivative, such as peat, sphagnum moss, soil, decaying deciduous leaves, coconut fiber, etc, the acids and tannins being remnants of the decomposition of these and other organic materials. Bodies of water with relatively high concentrations of humic acids often appear stained, or tea-colored. The water is still transparent in many cases, just a deep orange or brown tint; water such as this is often termed “cedar water”, because of the color. It is typically mildly to extremely acidic, and has very low alkalinity. Because humic acid and tannins are organic derivatives, their presence in water is a source of nutrients to plants in and around lakes, rivers, streams, and aquariums. Many species of fish will spawn in response to the addition of humins and tannins.

Botanica Humic is derived from a source of fully-decomposed organic material over 10,000 years old. Humic will tint the water a light brown or yellow color, creating conditions much like those found in the Amazon region of South America as well as those present in Southeast Asia. Humic was formulated to work in conjunction with all other Botanica supplements. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

Ingredients: Naturally derived humic and tannic acids

Broad Range Vitamin and Mineral Supplement

Instructions:

Add several drops daily to dry pelleted or flake food or to live, fresh or previously frozen food. In the aquarium, dose 2 ml (18 drops) of this solution per 20 gallons each week; alternately, you may dose up to 0.3 ml (4 drops) per 20 gallons daily. After observing the effect of this product over a period of 2-3 weeks, adjust dosage accordingly.

Background:

Vitamins are considered to be essential organic nutrients; they are utilized to facilitate enzymatic and metabolic processes (energy regulation), maintain proper immune system function (protection), and directly influence growth.

Botanica Vita provides high quality vitamins for the well-being of ornamental aquatic species; it contains no gluconates or other sugars, and requires no refrigeration. Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants. Vita was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Grow, Fe, K, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, and KH+ supplements. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of inorganic carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

Ingredients: deionized water, ascorbic acid, vitamin A propionate, vitamin A palmitate, cholecalciferol, folic acid, inositol, choline chloride, niacin, calcium pantothenate, thiamine hydrochloride (B1), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6), calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, riboflavin (B2), vitamin B12, d-Biotin, tocopheryl acetate (E), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (K3).

General Hardness Builder

Instructions:

This product is primarily meant to be used on initial set up and when performing water changes. Each 5 ml of GH+ raises the general hardness of 5 gallons purified water by 2 degrees of General Hardness (dGH). See the chart below on the recommended GH of aquarium water prior to using this product. Then, add GH+ and mix until the target general hardness is achieved. To decrease the general hardness in an aquarium, dilute with distilled, deionized or reverse osmosis purified water. This product should be used in conjunction with an accurate GH test kit.

Background:

General Hardness (GH), from the German Gesamt Haerte meaning total hardness, is, most simply, a measurement of the sum of hardness cations, primarily calcium and magnesium, in solution. [This differs from total dissolved solids (TDS), which is the measurement of all conductive ions in solution.] The general hardness of a solution is most often measured in degrees of general hardness. So-called “hard” water has a high GH relative to “soft” water. The GH required in an aquarium is dictated by the geographic origins of the plants and fishes in the system, and is best determined by doing preliminary research or reading a book on the subject.

Botanica GH+ provides the ions necessary to increase general hardness. This product should be used in conjunction with an accurate test kit. General hardness is important because aquatic organisms have evolved under relatively stable conditions, barring seasonal and temporary changes in water chemistry. Therefore they do best over a fairly narrow range of general hardness values. In fact, many species of fish may not breed successfully nor even survive for extended periods of time if the hardness is not within an acceptable range. Plants are no different; extreme values in general hardness may hinder plant tissue production, and can eventually kill the organism. Botanica GH+ and KH+ are best used with reverse osmosis and/or deionized water during initial tank fill-up or during water changes, although dechlorinated tap water will work. Depending on species, changes in GH and KH over a period of several weeks may simulate seasonal variations that many fish use as spawning cues, and that cause many plants to flower and reproduce.
 

Stabilizes pH. Raises Alkalinity

Instructions:

Each 5 ml (1 capful on 8 or 16 oz. bottle) of KH+ raises the carbonate hardness of 5 gallons of water by 2 dKH. See the chart below on the recommended dKH, then, add Botanica KH+ and mix until the target alkalinity is achieved. To decrease the dKH in an aquarium, dilute with distilled, deionized or reverse osmosis purified water.

Background:

Alkalinity, also called carbonate hardness (from German Karbonat Haerte or KH) or acid neutralizing capacity or buffering capacity is the ability of a liquid (in this case water) to prevent pH from dropping, hence keeping pH stable. The ions largely responsible for this buffering ability are carbonate and bicarbonate, which bond with aqueous hydrogen ions and acids that would otherwise acidify the solution (decrease pH). Therefore, alkalinity is a measurement of the concentration of these alkaline ions, and is conveyed in units of milliequivalents per liter (meq/L), mg/L CaCO3, or German degrees of carbonate hardness (dKH).

Kent Botanica KH+ provides alkalinity to minimize pH instability and will have a tendency to increase pH, as well. This product should be used with accurate pH and Alkalinity (KH) test kits in order to be effective. The required alkalinity of an aquarium depends upon the pH you're trying to maintain. In aquariums with lower pH requirements, such as in Amazon, West African riverine, and Southeast Asian biotopes, the alkalinity can be between 1.5 and 3 dKH; Central and North American Biotope aquariums are often maintained at 3-5 dKH. Many aquarists strive to maintain the pH of a system at 5.0-5.5, largely owing to the natural water parameters at specific locations where the target species of fish and/or plant was collected, however a pH of 6.0-7.5 is often adequate to maintain plant and fish health in the long-term. In a heavily planted aquarium, alkalinity may be depleted by plants in need of a carbon source. In such cases the plants will chemically break carbonate and bicarbonate ions down to utilize the resultant CO2 for incorporation into cell mass (biogenic decalcification), and as a result pH may actually increase; the process reverses itself at night when plants are producing CO2, eventually causing pH to drop. A white residue on plant leaves is often an indication that this process is occurring; controlled CO2 supplementation is generally the best remedy for this potentially serious problem. Botanica GH+ and KH+ are generally used with reverse osmosis and/or deionized water during initial tank fill-up or during water changes. Depending on species, changes in GH and KH over a period of several weeks may simulate seasonal variations that many fish use as spawning cues, and that cause many plants to flower and reproduce.

Phosphate Supplement

Instructions:

 Novice: This product is designed to be used by advanced hobbyists only. Indiscriminate use may result in overgrowth of undesirable algae! Advanced: Each 1 ml of this solution contains 1.51 mg of phosphorus or 4.63 mg as phosphate. After determining the nitrogen concentration in your system, add this product daily to maintain the proper N:P ratio as described below.

Background:

True aquatic plants, as well submersed marsh plants, share in common many things, among them the approximate ratio of carbon to nitrogen to phosphorus (C:N:P, or Redfield-Richards Ratio). In conditions of optimal light, temperature, adequate available carbon and micronutrient concentrations, maintaining a N:P ratio of 10 to 20:1 (10 to 20 nitrogen atoms per 1 phosphorus atom) keeps plant growth steady; all other things being equal, greatly reducing this N:P ratio (particularly by having an overabundance of phosphate with all other nutrients present) may encourage algae growth. As a well-maintained planted aquarium ages and the concentration of exuded phenolic compounds increases, the likelihood for clean higher plant growth increases. Maintaining the recommended N:P ratio is simply a way to help achieve greater plant growth while maintaining a cleaner system.

In heavily planted aquariums, particularly those with intense lighting and CO2 supplementation (10-15 mg/L), it is often necessary to supplement nitrogen, as well as many other nutrients, in order to facilitate steady plant growth, health, and coloration. Kent Botanica Phos+ provides phosphorus that is readily available to plants. Because there are many modes of entry for phosphorus into an aquarium, it is desirable that this product be used in conjunction with a test kit that measures total nitrogen content of the water, and a phosphate test kit. Then, add Botanica Nitro+ or Phos+ to achieve the desired N:P ratio. Hobbyists are encouraged to observe the effects of these products after initial dosing and make adjustments to the dosing amount as required. Botanica Phos+ is formulated to be used with other Kent Botanica products to provide all of the nutrient needs for aquatic plants