Using Dirty Fish Tank or Aquarium water to fertilize your plants

)

Few days ago, I sent an article on using whole fish or fish scraps to fertilize your crops which ensures you grow a healthy organic plants rich in nutrients see post here . Today I will center on fish tank or aquarium water which also has good effect on your home or garden plants.

For those that have both an aquarium and a few plants in the house or  even a garden,  you should consider using waste water from your fish tank or aquarium to water your plants. If you do, you are not only saving water by recycling but also saving money on expensive inorganic fertilizer. This water contains a lot of fish wastes and decaying fish food particles plus a lot of beneficial bacteria and nutrients which can assist your plants to grow well. 

)

Fish feces, uneaten food and decaying plant materials all builds up in the tank overtime which makes the fish tank water look dirty and may be potentially toxic to the fish in the tank if left unchanged for a long time. For those who own a fish tank or aquarium, changing the water regularly depends on the size of the tank, contents, filter plus other factors which includes number of fishes etc  may be necessary monthly, weekly or even several times a week. Changing the water is necessary to remove excess chemical and other materials that may be harmful to the fish if left to build up but this same water is beneficial to the plants. 

What does fish tank or aquarium water contain that is beneficial to your plant

)

Fish tank water accumulates nitrogen as such it’s a rich source of nitrogen needed by plant to produce chlorophyll which is a necessary component of photosynthesis. 

Aquarium or fish tank water contains phosphorus that ensures healthy root growth in plants, makes plants strong and assists them to retain water. 

Fish tank water contains useful bacterial that breaks down ammonia which provides nutrients to the soil. It also contains useful micro organisms which processes these materials.

For those with outdoor fish ponds, the sludge from the filters has many of same materials similar to the one in fish emulsion that is manufactured. It should be noted that fish tank water is a diluted version of those expensive inorganic fertilizers which can be used frequently to water and provide much needed nutrient to your plant for a blossom yield. Although using fish tank water may be a bit smelly but the odor usually fades in an hour so you need not worry too much.

Precautions on using fish tank or aquarium water

Fish tank water benefits both indoor plants and your outdoor garden, however, not all aquarium water can work for house plants or your garden plants.

Salt water from salt water tanks should not be used to  fertilizer your crop as it can harm your plants especially the potted ones.

Do not use the water on your fruits and vegetable plants you are growing for consumption if you have used certain chemicals to maybe adjust the water’s pH, ammonia or other chemical levels or fish medications to treat your fish for diseases.

For fish tanks which has been neglected and not changed for a long time and already very dirty and smelly, should be used in moderation so as to avoid over feeding the plants.

For outdoor ponds, sludge from filters can be applied to plant soil but use carefully or better dilute with water before applying it to the plant soil.

)

Conclusion: Since our health is our wealth, it is good for us to always use organic and natural sources to produce our foods either in plants and or animals. In this article I have explained the use of fish water from your fish tank /aquarium and or pond which are rich in essential nutrients needed by your plants. Also in this article I pointed out why this option is good and what you have to avoid or look out for while using this very option so as to have a safe and healthy plant.

Feel free to resteem this to help someone and support with your upvote. Follow for more and do send in your comments or experiences if you have used this same option.

Sources:

https://lifehacker.com/5867013/use-dirty-aquarium-water-to-fertilize-plants

http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/watering-houseplants-fish-tank-water

http://www.ehow.com/way_5554199_fish-tank-water-good-plants.html

Image source: Google