Trace Elements

Trace elements in the aquarium, for aquatic plants and for animals. Learn useful information and use this useful information to close your knowledge gaps. You will be surprised what there is to say all about this.

A drop of water forming a column with another drop at the top. Blurred, coloured reflections on a water surface in the background.

IN THE AQUARIUM

Firstly, the differences in the significance of the various bulk elements (N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg: 0.05 - 8 % in dry matter) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, Co, Ni, B: 0.2 - 7000 ppm in dry matter) must be worked out. There are various approaches to such definitions, but they all have the same problem, namely the difficulty of defining a clear boundary.

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FOR AQUATIC PLANTS

Essential Elements

At present, silicon, sodium and cobalt have been proved necessary for only a few cultures; they are otherwise considered to be useful, as are - with some restrictions - aluminium and selenium.

Two rose tetras are swimming in the water. The fish have orange-red fins and a black dot behind the gills. Green plants can be seen in the background.

FOR ANIMALS

Proven essentiality using boron as an example

Only in the last 15 years has it become clear that boron is also essential for human and animal nutrition.