Fertilizer Dosing Aquascape - Panduan EI Method, Lean Dosing, dan Root Tabs

Introduction

Fertilizer aquascape seperti vitamin untuk manusia—kekurangan menyebabkan defisiensi (daun kuning, pertumbuhan lambat), kelebihan menyebabkan keracunan (algae outbreak, tanaman mati). Menemukan balance yang tepat adalah kunci untuk planted tank yang sehat dan indah.

Banyak aquascaper pemula yang bingung: pupuk apa yang harus dipakai? Berapa dosis yang tepat? Kapan harus dosing? Apakah aquasoil sudah cukup atau butuh tambahan fertilizer? Artikel ini akan menjawab semua pertanyaan tersebut dengan detail.

Anda akan belajar dua filosofi utama dalam fertilizer dosing—EI Method (Estimative Index) untuk high-tech tank dengan growth maksimal, dan Lean Dosing untuk low-tech tank yang lebih sustainable. Plus, panduan root tabs untuk tanaman root feeder seperti Cryptocoryne, dan iron supplementation untuk tanaman merah aquascape.

Untuk menghitung dosis exact, gunakan Calculator Dosing Fertilizer kami. Dengan pemahaman nutrient basics dan dosing schedule yang tepat, tanaman Anda akan tumbuh lush dan sehat tanpa algae problem. Mari mulai dengan memahami nutrient essentials dalam maintenance aquascape.

Nutrient Basics - NPK & Micronutrients

Macronutrients (NPK)

Tanaman membutuhkan tiga macronutrients utama dalam jumlah besar:

Nitrogen (N / NO3)

Fungsi: Komponen utama chlorophyll dan protein, essential untuk pertumbuhan daun
Target Level: 10-20 ppm untuk planted tank
Sumber: KNO3 (potassium nitrate), fish waste, uneaten food
Defisiensi: Daun tua menguning, pertumbuhan lambat, tanaman kerdil
Excess: Algae bloom (terutama green water, hair algae)

Phosphorus (P / PO4)

Fungsi: Energy transfer (ATP), root development, flowering
Target Level: 1-2 ppm untuk planted tank
Sumber: KH2PO4 (mono potassium phosphate), fish waste
Defisiensi: Pertumbuhan stunted, daun tua gelap/ungu, root lemah
Excess: Green spot algae (GSA), green dust algae (GDA)

Potassium (K)

Fungsi: Enzyme activation, water regulation, overall plant health
Target Level: 10-30 ppm
Sumber: K2SO4 (potassium sulfate), KNO3, KH2PO4
Defisiensi: Lubang di daun (pinholes), daun tepi kuning/coklat, weak stems
Excess: Jarang terjadi, bisa interfere dengan Ca/Mg uptake

Micronutrients (Trace Elements)

Dibutuhkan dalam jumlah kecil tapi tetap essential:

Iron (Fe)

Fungsi: Chlorophyll synthesis, essential untuk tanaman merah (anthocyanin production)
Target Level: 0.1-0.5 ppm (0.5-1 ppm untuk red plants)
Defisiensi: Daun muda kuning/putih (iron chlorosis), red plants turn green
Form: Fe chelated (EDTA, DTPA) untuk stability di planted tank

Magnesium (Mg)

Fungsi: Central atom dalam chlorophyll molecule
Target Level: Part of GH, 5-10 ppm
Defisiensi: Yellowing between leaf veins (interveinal chlorosis)
Sumber: MgSO4 (epsom salt), GH booster

Calcium (Ca)

Fungsi: Cell wall structure, root development
Target Level: Part of GH, 10-30 ppm
Defisiensi: Twisted/deformed new growth, weak roots
Sumber: CaSO4 (gypsum), tap water, GH booster

Trace Elements

Boron (B): Cell division, flowering
Manganese (Mn): Photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism
Zinc (Zn): Enzyme function, growth hormones
Copper (Cu): Photosynthesis (caution: toxic to shrimp in high doses)
Molybdenum (Mo): Nitrogen fixation

Deficiency Identification Table

Symptom	Likely Deficiency	Solution
Old leaves yellow, new leaves green	Nitrogen (NO3)	Increase NO3 dosing (KNO3)
Holes in leaves (pinholes)	Potassium (K)	Add K supplement (K2SO4)
New leaves yellow/white	Iron (Fe)	Dose iron chelate
Yellow between veins (old leaves)	Magnesium (Mg)	Add GH booster or MgSO4
Stunted growth, dark leaves	Phosphorus (PO4)	Increase PO4 dosing (KH2PO4)
Twisted/deformed new growth	Calcium (Ca)	Check GH, add Ca supplement
Red plants turn green	Iron (Fe) deficiency	Increase Fe dosing
Transparent/pale leaves	Multiple deficiencies	Check all macro/micro levels

EI Method (Estimative Index)

Philosophy: Dose Excess, Remove Excess

EI method, developed by Tom Barr, menggunakan prinsip sederhana:

“Dose excess nutrients so plants are never limited, remove excess via large weekly water change”

Ini adalah non-limiting approach—tanaman selalu punya akses ke semua nutrients yang dibutuhkan. Excess yang tidak terpakai dibuang via 50% water change weekly.

Target Nutrient Levels (EI)

Nutrient	Target Range	Weekly Accumulation
NO3	20-30 ppm	+20 ppm per week
PO4	2-3 ppm	+3 ppm per week
K	20-30 ppm	+30 ppm per week
Fe	0.5-1 ppm	Dose 2-3x per week
Micros	Trace	Dose 3x per week

EI Dosing Schedule (60L Tank Example)

Day	Fertilizer	Dose (60L)	Notes
Monday	Macros	KNO3: 1/4 tsp, KH2PO4: 1/16 tsp	After lights on
Tuesday	Rest	-	-
Wednesday	Macros	KNO3: 1/4 tsp, KH2PO4: 1/16 tsp	Repeat Monday
Thursday	Rest	-	-
Friday	Macros	KNO3: 1/4 tsp, KH2PO4: 1/16 tsp	Third dose
Saturday	Micros	CSM+B: 1/16 tsp or Plantex: 1/8 tsp	Trace elements
Sunday	50% Water Change	Reset nutrients	Mandatory

Alternative Schedule (Separate Macro/Micro Days):

Day	Dose
Mon	Macros (NPK)
Tue	Micros (Fe + trace)
Wed	Macros
Thu	Micros
Fri	Macros
Sat	Rest
Sun	50% water change

Scaling for Different Tank Sizes

EI Dosing Formula:

KNO3: 1/4 tsp per 40L, 3x per week
KH2PO4: 1/16 tsp per 40L, 3x per week
K2SO4 (optional): 1/4 tsp per 40L, 3x per week
CSM+B or Plantex: 1/16 tsp per 40L, 3x per week

Examples:

30L tank: 3/4 of 40L dose = KNO3 3/16 tsp
80L tank: 2x of 40L dose = KNO3 1/2 tsp
120L tank: 3x of 40L dose = KNO3 3/4 tsp

Pros and Cons of EI Method

Pros:

✅ Maximum plant growth (never nutrient-limited)
✅ Simple (no precise measuring, just estimate)
✅ No need to test parameters (except troubleshooting)
✅ Ideal untuk high-tech tank (high light + CO2)
✅ Prevents most deficiencies

Cons:

❌ High nutrients = algae risk jika light/CO2 tidak balanced
❌ Requires 50% water change weekly (mandatory, tidak bisa skip)
❌ Not suitable untuk low-tech tank (excess nutrients + slow growth = algae)
❌ Lebih banyak waste water

Best For:

High-tech planted tank dengan CO2 injection
High light intensity (PAR >50)
Fast-growing stem plants
Competition aquascape (maximum growth)

Lean Dosing Method

Philosophy: Dose Minimal, Match Plant Uptake

Lean dosing adalah opposite dari EI—dose hanya yang dibutuhkan tanaman, avoid excess:

“Dose minimal nutrients to match plant uptake, test regularly to adjust”

Ini adalah limiting approach—nutrients diberikan sesuai kebutuhan, tidak berlebih.

Target Nutrient Levels (Lean)

Nutrient	Target Range	Notes
NO3	5-10 ppm	Lower than EI
PO4	0.5-1 ppm	Minimal
K	10-15 ppm	Moderate
Fe	0.1-0.3 ppm	Lower than EI

Lean Dosing Schedule

Weekly All-in-One Approach:

Day	Activity	Dose
Sunday	30% water change	-
Sunday	All-in-one fertilizer	1 pump per 10L
Wednesday	(Optional) Half dose	If plants show deficiency

All-in-One Fertilizers untuk Lean:

Seachem Flourish Comprehensive
Tropica Premium Nutrition
Easy Green (Aquarium Co-op)

Bi-Weekly Micros (Optional):

Iron supplement 2x per week jika ada red plants
Trace elements 1x per week

Monitoring and Adjusting

Lean dosing butuh regular testing untuk avoid deficiency:

Weekly Testing:

NO3 level (target 5-10 ppm)
Visual inspection (leaf color, growth rate)

Adjust Dosing:

Jika NO3 <5 ppm → increase dosing
Jika algae muncul → decrease dosing
Jika deficiency signs → add specific nutrient

Pros and Cons of Lean Dosing

Pros:

✅ Lower algae risk (minimal excess nutrients)
✅ Less water changes needed (30% weekly sufficient)
✅ Cheaper (less fertilizer used)
✅ More sustainable (less water waste)
✅ Suitable untuk low-tech tank

Cons:

❌ Slower plant growth
❌ Risk of deficiencies jika dosing terlalu lean
❌ Requires monitoring (test kit essential)
❌ More complex (need to adjust based on observation)

Best For:

Low-tech tank (no CO2 atau low light)
Tanks dengan algae issues
Established mature tanks (6+ months)
Slow-growing plants (Anubias, Bucephalandra)

Root Tabs for Root Feeders

What Are Root Tabs?

Root tabs adalah slow-release fertilizer capsules (baca panduan lengkap root tabs) yang ditanam di substrate dekat akar tanaman. Berbeda dengan liquid fertilizer yang diserap via daun (column feeders), root tabs menyediakan nutrients langsung ke root system.

Plants That Need Root Tabs

Heavy Root Feeders:

Plant Type	Examples	Root Tab Frequency
Cryptocorynes	C. wendtii, C. parva, C. balansae	Every 2-3 months
Echinodorus	Amazon Sword, Red Flame	Every 2 months
Vallisneria	V. spiralis, V. nana	Every 3 months
Aponogeton	A. crispus, A. ulvaceus	Every 2 months
Nymphaea	Tiger Lotus, Red Lotus	Every 2 months

Plants That DON’T Need Root Tabs:

Stem plants (Rotala, Ludwigia) - column feeders
Epiphytes (Anubias, Bucephalandra, Java Fern) - absorb from water column
Floating plants - absorb from water surface

How to Use Root Tabs

Placement:

Insert 1 tab per 10-15cm² substrate area
Push 2-3cm deep near plant roots (not touching directly)
Cover dengan substrate untuk avoid clouding water
Space tabs evenly untuk coverage

Frequency:

New setup: Insert saat planting
Maintenance: Replace every 2-3 months
Heavy feeders: Every 6-8 weeks

Signs You Need Root Tabs:

Cryptocorynes melting atau yellowing
Amazon Sword dengan holes di daun
Slow growth despite good lighting
Roots pale/weak (not white and healthy)

Root Tab Brands Comparison

Brand	Price (IDR)	Tabs per Pack	Duration	Notes
API Root Tabs	80-120k	10 tabs	2 months	Budget-friendly, effective
Seachem Flourish Tabs	120-180k	10 tabs	3 months	Premium, slow-release
Tropica Nutrition Capsules	150-200k	10 capsules	2-3 months	High quality, Danish brand
Aquarium Co-op Easy Root Tabs	100-150k	12 tabs	2 months	Good value, USA brand
DIY Osmocote Plus	20-50k	50+ balls	3-4 months	Budget option, effective

DIY Root Tabs (Budget Option)

Materials:

Osmocote Plus (slow-release fertilizer untuk tanaman darat)
Clay (tanah liat) atau gelatin capsules
Plastic wrap (optional)

Steps:

Ambil 5-10 Osmocote balls
Wrap dengan clay atau masukkan ke gelatin capsule
Insert ke substrate dekat roots
Replace every 3-4 months

Cost: Rp 20-50k untuk 50+ root tabs (vs Rp 100-200k untuk branded)

Caution: Osmocote bisa release nutrients ke water column jika tidak wrapped properly (algae risk).

All-in-One Fertilizers (Beginner-Friendly)

What Are All-in-One Fertilizers?

All-in-one fertilizers mengandung NPK macros + micronutrients dalam satu bottle. Ini adalah pilihan paling simple untuk pemula—no need to mix separate macro dan micro.

Top 5 All-in-One Fertilizers Indonesia

1. Seachem Flourish Comprehensive

Price: Rp 120-180k (250ml)
NPK: Low (0.07-0.01-0.37)
Micros: Rich (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo)
Dosing: 5ml per 60L weekly
Pros:
- Micro-rich (good untuk iron deficiency)
- Safe untuk shrimp
- Widely available
Cons:
- Low NPK (need separate macro dosing untuk high-tech)
- Expensive per liter

Best For: Low-tech tank, supplement untuk EI method (micros only)

2. Tropica Premium Nutrition

Price: Rp 150-250k (300ml)
NPK: Complete (balanced)
Micros: Complete
Dosing: 1 pump per 50L weekly
Pros:
- Complete NPK + micros
- Danish quality (trusted brand)
- Pump bottle (easy dosing)
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited availability

Best For: Medium-tech tank, all-in-one solution

3. Easy Green (Aquarium Co-op)

Price: Rp 100-150k (250ml) if available
NPK: Balanced (2-1-13)
Micros: Complete
Dosing: 1 pump per 10L weekly
Pros:
- Balanced formula
- USA brand (quality control)
- Good value
Cons:
- Availability di Indonesia terbatas (import)

Best For: General planted tank, beginner-friendly

4. NilocG Thrive

Price: Rp 120-200k (500ml)
NPK: EI-level dosing
Micros: Complete
Dosing: 1 pump per 10L, 2-3x per week
Pros:
- EI-level nutrients dalam all-in-one
- Large bottle (good value)
Cons:
- High dosing (algae risk jika tidak balanced)
- Import only

Best For: High-tech tank yang mau all-in-one convenience

5. Local Brands (Aquascape Indo, Green Aqua)

Price: Rp 50-100k (250-500ml)
NPK: Varies (check label)
Micros: Varies
Dosing: Follow bottle instructions
Pros:
- Cheap
- Locally available
- Support local business
Cons:
- Inconsistent quality
- Limited info on exact composition

Best For: Budget-conscious hobbyists, experimental

How to Use All-in-One Fertilizers

Basic Schedule:

Water change 30-40% weekly
Dose all-in-one fertilizer setelah water change
Dosing: 1 pump per 10L (follow bottle instructions)
Observe plant response over 2-3 weeks
Adjust dosing jika perlu

Signs of Under-Dosing:

Slow growth
Yellowing leaves
Deficiency symptoms

Signs of Over-Dosing:

Algae outbreak (green water, hair algae)
Livestock stress
Cloudy water

Iron Supplementation for Red Plants

Why Iron for Red Plants?

Red plants seperti Ludwigia, Rotala, Alternanthera membutuhkan iron (Fe) tinggi untuk produce anthocyanin (red pigment). Tanpa iron cukup, red plants akan turn green atau pale.

Target Iron Level

Tank Type	Fe Target	Dosing Frequency
General planted	0.1-0.3 ppm	1-2x per week
Red plant focused	0.5-1 ppm	3x per week
Competition scape	1-2 ppm	Daily

Iron Products

Seachem Flourish Iron

Price: Rp 80-120k (250ml)
Fe Content: 1% (10,000 ppm)
Form: Fe gluconate (chelated)
Dosing: 5ml per 200L, 2-3x per week
Pros: Safe, chelated (stable), widely available
Cons: Moderate price

Tropica Specialized Nutrition

Price: Rp 150-250k (300ml)
Fe Content: High (plus NPK)
Form: Fe chelated
Dosing: 1 pump per 50L, 2-3x per week
Pros: Complete formula dengan high Fe
Cons: Expensive

DIY: Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO4)

Price: Rp 20-50k (500g)
Fe Content: 20% Fe
Form: Not chelated (unstable)
Dosing: 1/16 tsp per 100L (careful!)
Pros: Very cheap, concentrated
Cons:
- Toxic jika overdose
- Precipitates quickly (not chelated)
- Stains substrate/hardscape

Recommendation: Seachem Flourish Iron untuk safety dan stability.

Iron Dosing Schedule

For Red Plant Tank:

Day	Fertilizer	Notes
Sun	Water change 40%	-
Sun	Macros (EI)	After WC
Mon	Iron supplement	5ml per 200L
Tue	Macros	-
Wed	Iron supplement	Repeat
Thu	Micros (CSM+B)	Includes trace Fe
Fri	Iron supplement	Third dose
Sat	Rest	-

Tips for Maximum Red Color:

High light (PAR >60)
CO2 30+ ppm
Iron 0.5-1 ppm
Nitrate limiting (10-15 ppm, not 20+)
Cool temperature (23-24°C better than 26°C)

Detail tanaman merah ada di Tanaman Merah Aquascape.

Comparison Table: EI vs Lean vs All-in-One

Aspect	EI Method	Lean Dosing	All-in-One
NPK Levels	High (20/2/20 ppm)	Low (5-10/0.5/10 ppm)	Medium (varies)
Best For	High-tech, fast growth	Low-tech, algae-prone	Beginners, general use
Water Change	50% weekly (mandatory)	30% weekly	30-40% weekly
Cost/Month	Rp 50-100k (bulk powder)	Rp 30-60k	Rp 80-150k (bottles)
Difficulty	Medium (mixing powders)	Easy (minimal dosing)	Easy (pump & go)
Algae Risk	Medium-High	Low	Medium
Testing Needed	No (except troubleshoot)	Yes (weekly NO3)	Optional
Plant Growth	Maximum	Moderate	Moderate
Flexibility	High (adjust ratios)	High (adjust based on test)	Low (fixed formula)

FAQ Fertilizer Dosing Aquascape

Fertilizer apa terbaik untuk pemula?

Untuk pemula, all-in-one fertilizer seperti Seachem Flourish atau Tropica Premium adalah pilihan terbaik. Dosing simple (1x per week setelah water change), tidak perlu mixing powders, dan risk algae lebih rendah dibanding EI method. Setelah familiar, bisa upgrade ke EI untuk maximum growth.

Apakah wajib pakai fertilizer untuk aquascape?

Tergantung setup:

Aquasoil baru (<6 bulan): Tidak wajib, soil masih kaya nutrients
Aquasoil tua (>6 bulan): Wajib, soil sudah depleted
Inert substrate (pasir, kerikil): Wajib dari awal
Low-tech tank: Minimal dosing (all-in-one 1x/week)
High-tech tank: Wajib heavy dosing (EI method)

Berapa kali dosing fertilizer per minggu?

Method	Frequency	Notes
EI Method	6x per week	Macros 3x, micros 3x
Lean Dosing	1-2x per week	All-in-one after WC
All-in-One	1x per week	After water change
Root Tabs	Every 2-3 months	Insert dan forget

Beda EI method dan Lean dosing?

EI Method: Dose excess nutrients (high), remove excess via 50% water change weekly. Maximum growth, higher algae risk.

Lean Dosing: Dose minimal nutrients (low), match plant uptake. Slower growth, lower algae risk.

Pilih EI untuk high-tech tank dengan CO2 dan high light. Pilih Lean untuk low-tech atau tank dengan algae issues.

Apakah bisa overdose fertilizer?

Ya, overdose fertilizer menyebabkan:

Algae outbreak (green water, hair algae, BBA)
Livestock stress (high nitrate >80 ppm)
Nutrient imbalance (excess satu nutrient block uptake nutrient lain)
Water quality issues (cloudy water, smell)

Solusi: Large water change 50-70%, stop dosing 1 week, resume dengan dosis lebih rendah.

Tanaman merah butuh pupuk khusus?

Red plants butuh iron (Fe) tinggi untuk produce red pigment. Gunakan:

Iron supplement (Seachem Flourish Iron) 2-3x per week
Target Fe 0.5-1 ppm (higher than general tank)
Plus high light (PAR >60) dan CO2 30+ ppm

Detail ada di Tanaman Merah Aquascape.

Root tabs atau liquid fertilizer lebih baik?

Keduanya dibutuhkan untuk different plants:

Root tabs: Untuk root feeders (Cryptocorynes, Amazon Sword, Vallisneria)
Liquid fertilizer: Untuk column feeders (stem plants, epiphytes)

Ideal setup: Root tabs untuk substrate + liquid fertilizer untuk water column. Jangan pilih salah satu—use both!

Dimana beli fertilizer aquascape murah?

Online:

Tokopedia/Shopee: Search “fertilizer aquascape” atau “pupuk planted tank”
Aquascape groups Facebook: Sering ada group buy (bulk discount)

Offline:

Toko aquarium lokal (Jakarta: Jatinegara, Surabaya: Bratang)
Toko tanaman hias (untuk Osmocote DIY root tabs)

Budget Options:

DIY dry ferts (KNO3, KH2PO4, K2SO4) - Rp 50-100k untuk 6-12 bulan supply
Osmocote root tabs - Rp 20-50k untuk 50+ tabs
Local brand all-in-one - Rp 50-100k per bottle

Kesimpulan

Fertilizer dosing adalah balance act antara providing enough nutrients untuk plant growth dan avoiding excess yang menyebabkan algae. Untuk pemula, mulai dengan all-in-one fertilizer (Seachem Flourish atau Tropica Premium) dosed 1x per week setelah water change.

Setelah familiar dengan plant response, bisa experiment dengan:

Lean dosing untuk low-tech tank (sustainable, lower algae risk)
EI method untuk high-tech tank dengan CO2 injection (maximum growth)
Root tabs untuk Cryptocorynes dan root feeders (essential)
Iron supplementation untuk red plants (Ludwigia, Rotala)

Key principles:

Start low, increase gradually (easier to add than remove)
Observe plant response (growth rate, leaf color)
Balance dengan light dan CO2 (the balance triangle)
Consistent schedule lebih penting dari “perfect” dosing

Untuk troubleshooting deficiency atau algae issues, baca Maintenance Aquascape dan Mengatasi Algae. Selamat dosing!