Thrive® Aquarium Fertilizer

Thrive is a concentrated all-in-one liquid fertilizer for freshwater planted aquariums. It supplies macro and micronutrients in a single dose, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron and trace elements. The original formula is based on the Estimative Index approach, which keeps essential nutrients available so plant growth is not limited by a missing element.

Original Thrive is the general-purpose choice for most planted freshwater aquariums. Thrive+ is intended for high-tech tanks around pH 7 or below. Thrive C uses lower nitrate and phosphate levels for low-tech tanks or aquariums with a high bioload. Thrive S is formulated specifically for planted shrimp tanks.

Thrive works across a broad range of planted tanks and pH levels. Thrive+ is aimed at high-tech aquariums around pH 7 or below and contains more iron plus two forms of nitrogen. At the standard dose, Thrive adds about 6 ppm nitrate and 0.25 ppm iron per 10 gallons. Thrive+ adds about 7.5 ppm nitrate and 0.4 ppm iron per 10 gallons.

Thrive C is designed for lower-tech planted aquariums and tanks where fish load already keeps nitrate relatively high. It provides the rest of the nutrient profile without adding as much nitrate and phosphate as the stronger Thrive formulas. Thrive C also contains a non-glutaraldehyde source of bioavailable carbon.

Thrive S is built around the maintenance requirements of shrimp-focused aquariums. Its formula contains no added copper and uses lower nitrogen and phosphate concentrations than the main Thrive formulas. This allows plants to receive broad nutrition without requiring the same high-input fertilization and water-change routine commonly used in plant-focused aquascapes.

Yes. Thrive, Thrive+ and Thrive C can be used in aquariums containing shrimp. Thrive S exists for tanks where shrimp are the primary focus and water stability takes priority over aggressive plant fertilization. For a plant-focused aquarium that happens to contain shrimp, one of the other Thrive formulas may still be the better fit.

For most aquariums, a Thrive all-in-one formula is intended to cover the main macro and micronutrient requirements without separate bottles of nitrate, phosphate, potassium or trace fertilizer. Soft water and RO/DI setups are the main exception. These tanks may need additional calcium and magnesium through a GH booster.

For original Thrive, one pump is 2 mL and treats 10 gallons. That dose adds approximately 6 ppm nitrate, 1.1 ppm phosphate, 5 ppm potassium and 0.25 ppm iron. Actual frequency can be adjusted for plant mass, lighting, CO2 and nutrient consumption rather than assuming every aquarium needs the same schedule. Thrive+ is dosed at one pump per 10 gallons, 1 to 3 times weekly. Thrive C uses one 1 mL pump per 5 gallons, generally 1 to 2 times weekly. Thrive S is dosed at one pump per 5 gallons, 1 to 3 times weekly.

A 500 mL bottle can treat up to 2,500 gallons of cumulative water volume at the standard dose. The 2,000 mL refill treats up to 10,000 gallons, and the 4,000 mL size treats approximately 19,000 gallons. Calendar life depends on tank size and dosing frequency, so a bottle can last many months in a smaller aquarium.

No. Low- and medium-light planted aquariums can use Thrive without pressurized CO2. As light intensity increases, plants grow faster and carbon demand rises. In a high-light aquarium, atmospheric CO2 alone may eventually become the limiting factor even when fertilizer is available.

Sometimes, but usually not for a tank with meaningful plant growth. Fish food and waste can supply substantial nitrogen and phosphorus, particularly in low-tech aquariums, but they are comparatively poor sources of potassium and iron. As plant mass or light intensity increases, relying entirely on livestock waste becomes less reliable.

Yes, but the water may also need remineralization. Thrive supplies some magnesium and calcium, and a GH booster is recommended for soft water and RO/DI setups to provide adequate amounts of those minerals. Fertilizer dosing and water remineralization solve different problems, so one should not be treated as a substitute for the other.

ThriveCaps are root-zone fertilizer capsules placed directly into aquarium substrate. They contain concentrated Thrive nutrients combined with iron-rich clay and mineralized topsoil. A capsule can be placed near an individual plant or spaced approximately every 5 to 6 inches through a planted area, then replaced after about 3 to 4 months as needed. They are particularly useful for established rooted plants that can draw substantial nutrition from the substrate.

Yes. They feed plants through different parts of the aquarium. Liquid Thrive distributes nutrients through the water column, while ThriveCaps concentrate nutrients around the roots. Using both can make sense in tanks that combine water-column feeders with heavily rooted species. Dose according to actual plant demand rather than automatically maximizing both sources.

Thrive is made by NilocG Aquatics. The company began as a small aquarium hobby operation centered on simplifying planted-tank fertilization. It later expanded from an extra bedroom into a 6,000-square-foot facility with four full-time employees, serving direct customers and other businesses and producing custom private-label products.