Dennerle Plant Care P is a phosphate macronutrient fertiliser for planted and demanding aquaria.
Plants need phosphate to build numerous organic compounds. It plays a central role in energy metabolism (as ATP = adenosine triphosphate). In addition, it is an essential component of cell membranes and the genetic material DNA. Since phosphate is usually in short supply in the wild, plants have developed highly effective enrichment methods. The nutrient can be stored in the plant cells and remobilised when needed. The addition of phosphate is not necessary in normal, planted community aquariums, as it usually enters the aquarium in sufficient or often even too large quantities via the food and fish excretions. In demanding planted aquariums, however, (e.g. aquascaping aquariums, Holland aquariums) the situation is different. They have an above-average nutrient requirement, especially for macronutrients. This is due to the large proportion of aquatic plants and the low fish stocking in the aquarium.
In these types of aquariums, a phosphate deficiency can quickly develop. The plants then stop growing. The shoots remain short, the leaves are small and often turn dark green. Some species can also turn purple due to the accumulation of red leaf pigments (anthocyanins).
It is therefore very sensible for demanding plant aquariums to keep an eye on the phosphate content and supplement it if necessary. Every aquarium has a specific nutrient consumption depending on the amount of plants, plant species, animal stocking, feeding, water changes and growth conditions (amount of light, lighting time, CO2 addition, filter technology, etc.). The required amount of fertiliser should therefore be determined individually for each aquarium.
