{"product_id":"aquavitro-activate","title":"AquaVitro Activate","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeds the plants without feeding the algae.\u003c\/strong\u003e AquaVitro Activate is a concentrated liquid phosphorus and potassium supplement for the freshwater planted aquarium. Phosphorus is one of the three macro nutrients - alongside nitrogen and potassium - a planted tank needs to grow well, and a shortage of it shows up as stalled growth even when light and CO2 are otherwise dialled in. Activate is dosed in small, deliberate amounts specifically so phosphate does not build up to the level that feeds algae instead of plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6,000 mg\/L phosphorus, 8,800 mg\/L potassium\u003c\/strong\u003e - a concentrated liquid made from potassium salts of various phosphates, so a small dose moves the tank's phosphate reading measurably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDosed against a stated tank volume, not guessed\u003c\/strong\u003e - 5 mL treats 680 L, raising phosphate by 0.15 mg\/L and potassium by 0.06 mg\/L per dose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePairs with synthesis nitrogen supplement\u003c\/strong\u003e - dosed in equal amounts the two land close to a 5:1 nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio, the balance most planted tanks target.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnder 1c per litre of tank water dosed\u003c\/strong\u003e - see the cost breakdown below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarked pipette included\u003c\/strong\u003e - the bulb base holds a 1 mL mark for dosing smaller tanks accurately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eActive constituents\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhosphorus 6,000 mg\/L; Potassium 8,800 mg\/L, as potassium salts of various phosphates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDose rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL per 680 L (180 US gal), twice weekly or as needed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEffect per dose\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaises phosphate by 0.15 mg\/L and potassium by 0.06 mg\/L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater, planted aquarium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack sizes stocked\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 mL, 350 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeasuring aid\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarked pipette, 1 mL graduation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCost per litre of tank water dosed\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause Activate is dosed against a stated tank volume rather than mixed into a fixed batch, the \"yield\" of a bottle is the number of 5 mL doses it holds multiplied by the 680 L each dose covers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDoses per bottle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLitres dosed over the bottle's life\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePrice\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCost per litre dosed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20,400 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$19.95\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e350 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e47,600 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$49.95\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder 1c per litre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth sizes land under a cent per litre, and the 150 mL bottle is marginally the cheaper of the two per litre dosed - the 350 mL costs proportionally more per millilitre, so buy the larger size for convenience and fewer reorders, not because it stretches further per litre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDosage and directions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDose 5 mL per 680 L of tank water, twice a week or as needed based on plant growth and phosphate test readings. Use the marked pipette at the bulb base for doses under 5 mL in smaller tanks. For balanced growth, dose alongside a nitrogen supplement in roughly equal amounts, which lands close to the 5:1 nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio most planted tanks run on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e freshwater planted aquariums running a full fertiliser programme, where phosphorus is confirmed to be the limiting nutrient by a test kit or by growth that has stalled despite adequate light, CO2 and nitrogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e tanks that are already testing high for phosphate, or fish-only and reef systems where added phosphate is a liability rather than a benefit - excess phosphate is a leading driver of nuisance algae and, in reef tanks, suppresses coral calcification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTest phosphate before increasing the dose beyond the stated rate. Because the effect per dose is small and deliberate, overdosing is the more likely failure mode with a concentrated product like this - more is not simply better, and pushing phosphate up faster than plants can use it is what feeds algae instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/aquavitro-carbonate\"\u003eAquaVitro Carbonate\u003c\/a\u003e - KH buffering for the same planted tank, dosed on its own schedule.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-prime\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e - dechlorinates tap water at every water change, independent of the fertiliser dosing above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1\u003c\/a\u003e - to confirm phosphate is actually the limiting nutrient before dosing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a consumable liquid additive, Activate is not covered by a manufacturer warranty term in the usual sense; your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply to any product that is faulty or not as described. It is not a dangerous good or oversized item and ships as standard parcel freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill Activate cause an algae bloom?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDosed at the stated rate it is designed not to - the dose is calibrated to move phosphate by a small, deliberate amount rather than push it to excess. Algae risk comes from overdosing relative to what the plants are using, not from the product itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use Activate in a reef or fish-only marine tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is formulated and dosed for the freshwater planted aquarium. Adding phosphate deliberately to a reef system works against coral health and is not what this product is for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I know if my tank needs it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTest for phosphate. If it reads at or near zero and plant growth has stalled despite good light and CO2, phosphorus is a likely limiting nutrient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's the difference between the 150 mL and 350 mL bottle on a cost basis?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth work out to under a cent per litre of tank water dosed. The 150 mL bottle is marginally cheaper per litre; the 350 mL is worth buying for fewer reorders on a larger planted collection, not for a lower unit cost.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AquaVitro","offers":[{"title":"150 mL","offer_id":55250156126499,"sku":null,"price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"350 mL","offer_id":55250156159267,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/aquavitro-activate-150ml-3000725-1600_3899427d-2156-419f-b5e0-31c613d9a4bf.jpg?v=1781837896","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/aquavitro-activate","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}