Introducing plant nutrient family 2hr APT

What plant nutrient to choose?

That is a question people often make. Is it necessary to add plant nutrients to an aquarium at all? After all, nobody does that to lakes and streams out there…. (hopefully)
That is a good point, but closed indoor systems are not self-sustaining, and their size is just one reason for that. And you will have to sustain a greater plant mass in your aquarium, most preferably in a perfect algae-free condition. Although such conditions may also be found in nature for longer or shorter periods, your goal is to maintain them permanently. Consequently, if you want to have in your aquarium something else than fish, you will have to provide enough nutrients for plants.
You can easily choose from the 2hr APT plant nutrients family designed in an „All in one” system”: you do not need to add any other nutrients, as all the ingredients are there in the bottle. Of course, this advantage has a drawback, too, as you cannot freely modify the proportion of the nutrients. However, the manufacturer assures that with this perfectly balanced mix, you will not need any modification. If you look for an easy-to-use, well-tested plant nutrient, 2hrAPT is for you. Just decide which one of the three methods offered below is the best for you. Let’s see the products!

2hrAPT Zero

„Zero” is the „lean fertilizer” category that uses the ADA system for slow and comfortable growth of the plants with little chance left for algae proliferation. It can also be used in aquariums without CO2 dosage dispensing and many fish swimming around plants. Curiously enough, it is also your best choice if you want to highlight the red colors in a high-tech aquarium. That will, of course, require quality soil, active soil, intense light, and CO2.

Dosage: 5 ml / 100 liters 4 times a week or 3 ml / 100 liters per day. Both methods must be combined with a 30% water change per week.
Shrimp friendly: yes
5ml/100 liters contain 3.8ppm Potassium (K), 0.05ppm Iron (Fe), 0.5ppm Magnesium (Mg), and a small amount of Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Zinc (Zn).

2hr APTe EI

In addition to the lean nutrition concept represented by Takashi Amano and ADA, there is another dosage dispensing method: the Estimative Index created by Tom Barr. There are few such products in the market; one of them is perhaps EI by Green Aqua. 2hr APTe EI uses the same concept but provides all the nutrients in one single bottle. The concept is based upon „overnutrition” that results in plants that never lack nutrients. This product is recommended for customers who have aquariums with plants and are willing to take care of their aquarium once a week, providing a 50% water change per week to obtain crystal clear water and an abundance of thriving plants. This method requires efficient bio filtering, intense light, and a pressurized CO2 system.

Dosage: 5 ml / 100 liters 3 times a week or 2 ml / 100 liters per day. Both methods must be combined with a 50% water change per week.
5ml/100 liters contain 6ppm Potassium (K), 6ppm Nitrogen (NO3), 1.5ppm Phosphorus (PO4), 0.16ppm Iron (Fe), and small amounts of Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Zinc (Zn).

But this is not the end: the nutrient family has more in store for you. There is a unique middle-ground solution between the carefreeness of Zero and the fullness of EI. This is:

2hr APT3 Complete

The middle ground is indeed the phrase that best characterizes this product that provides enough nutrients for your plants without a need for a 50% water change. The plants will grow beautifully, although not with the extreme speed often seen with the EI-type nutrients. Many aquarists will be pleased with the remarkable anti-algae effect. This is perhaps the product that any customer might want to try out right away, as it can hardly fail.

Dosage: 5 ml / 100 liters 4 times a week or 3 ml / 100 liters per day. Both methods must be combined with a 30% water change per week.
Shrimp friendly: yes
5ml/100 liters contain 4ppm Potassium (K), 1.5ppm Nitrogen (NO3), 0.7ppm Phosphorus (PO4), 0.03ppm Iron (Fe), 0.4ppm Magnesium (Mg), and smaller amounts of Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn) and Molybdenum (Mo), Zinc (Zn).

To sum it up: 2hr APT Zero is like a convertible car. It is cool to ride, but as a precaution, you’d better have a hat, a raincoat, and some suntan lotion on you. 2hr APTe EI is like a Ferrari: passionate love, unending care, and a unique experience. And finally, 2hr APT3 Complete can be compared to a reliable and versatile family estate car that delivers exactly what has been promised ;)