The best fertilisers for a low-tech planted tank in 2026
A low-tech tank grows slowly, so it needs less fertiliser — not none. These all-round liquids give easy plants like Anubias, Java fern and crypts the nutrients tap water and fish waste miss, without pushing algae in a no-CO2 setup.
- 1
- 2
- 3
Frequently asked questions
How often should I dose fertiliser in a low-tech tank?
Usually once or twice a week is plenty. Without added CO2 plants grow slowly and use fewer nutrients, so you dose lightly — start at half the bottle's stated rate, watch the plants for a couple of weeks, and only increase if you see deficiency signs like pale or holey leaves.
Can too much fertiliser cause algae?
In a low-tech tank the bigger algae trigger is usually light and CO2 imbalance, not fertiliser. That said, dosing far more than slow-growing plants can use leaves nutrients sitting in the water, which can help algae. Dose to the plants' demand and do regular water changes.
Do I need root tabs as well as a liquid fertiliser?
It depends on your plants. Water-column feeders like Anubias, Java fern and floating plants are happy with a liquid alone. Heavy root-feeders such as Amazon swords and many crypts do better with root tabs pushed into the substrate, alongside a light liquid dose.
Found your model? Buy it at the right price.
UniverTrack tracks the real price of your aquarium gear across several retailers, spots fake discounts and warns you when it's genuinely the right moment to buy — with an AI assistant to guide you.