Vita
Description: Broad-Range Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
Type: Freshwater Vitamin

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BV8, BV16, BV4, BV640

Background: Vitamins are considered to be essential organic nutrients; they are utilized to facilitate enzymatic and metabolic processes (energy regulation), maintain proper immune system function (protection), and directly influence growth.

Botanica Vita provides high quality vitamins for the well-being of ornamental aquatic species; it contains no gluconates or other sugars, and requires no refrigeration. Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants. Vita was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Grow, Fe, K, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, and KH+ supplements. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of inorganic carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

Phos+
Description: Phosphate Supplement for Optimal C:N:P Ratio
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BP8, BP16, BP4, BP640

Background: True aquatic plants, as well submersed marsh plants, share in common many things, among them the approximate ratio of carbon to nitrogen to phosphorus (C:N:P, or Redfield-Richards Ratio). In conditions of optimal light, temperature, adequate available carbon and micronutrient concentrations, maintaining a N:P ratio of 10 to 20:1 (10 to 20 nitrogen atoms per 1 phosphorus atom) keeps plant growth steady; all other things being equal, greatly reducing this N:P ratio (particularly by having an overabundance of phosphate with all other nutrients present) may encourage algae growth. As a well-maintained planted aquarium ages and the concentration of exuded phenolic compounds increases, the likelihood for clean higher plant growth increases. Maintaining the recommended N:P ratio is simply a way to help achieve greater plant growth while maintaining a cleaner system.

Nitra plus
Description: Nitrogen Supplement for Optimal C:N:P Ratio
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BN8, BN16, BN4, BN640

Background: True aquatic plants, as well as submersed marsh plants, share in common many things, among them the approximate ratio of carbon to nitrogen to phosphorus (C:N:P, or Redfield-Richards Ratio). In conditions of optimal light, temperature, adequate available carbon and micronutrient concentrations, maintaining a N:P ratio of 10 to 20:1(10 to 20 nitrogen atoms per 1 phosphorus atom) keeps plant growth steady; all other things being equal, greatly reducing this N:P ratio (particularly by having an overabundance of phosphate with all other nutrients present) may encourage algae growth. As a well-maintained planted aquarium ages and the concentration of exuded phenolic compounds increases, the likelihood for clean higher plant growth increases. Maintaining the recommended N:P ratio is simply a way to help achieve greater plant growth while maintaining a cleaner system.

Micro
Description: Micronutrient Solution for Aquatic Plants
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BMI8, BMI16, BMI4, BMI640

Background: One of the most widely used terms in the freshwater aquarium hobby is “nutrients”, but just what is a nutrient? For plants, a nutrient may be considered any substance that is required for plant growth, from a seed or cutting through the completion of the plant's life, resulting (at some point) in the production of new seeds. These substances are essential to the daily and long-term function of the plants. Macronutrients and micronutrients differ only in the relative amounts that they are utilized in by plants. Without these nutrients in adequate concentrations, plants will suffer and die. Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants.

KH+
Description: Stabilizes pH, Raises Alkalinity or Buffering Capacity
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BKH8, BKH16, BKH4, BKH640

Background: Alkalinity, also called carbonate hardness (from German Karbonat Haerte or KH) or acid neutralizing capacity or buffering capacity is the ability of a liquid (in this case water) to prevent pH from dropping, hence keeping pH stable. The ions largely responsible for this buffering ability are carbonate and bicarbonate, which bond with aqueous hydrogen ions and acids that would otherwise acidify the solution (decrease pH). Therefore, alkalinity is a measurement of the concentration of these alkaline ions, and is conveyed in units of milliequivalents per liter (meq/L), mg/L CaCO3, or German degrees of carbonate hardness (dKH). Kent Botanica KH+ provides alkalinity to minimize pH instability and will have a tendency to increase pH, as well.

K
Description: Potassium Supplement for Aquatic Plants
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BK8, BK16, BK4, BK640

Background: Many aquatic plants take in nutrients not only in their roots, but also through their leaves. This being the case, liquid supplements that contain the nutrients essential to the health and long-term maintenance of these plants can be used. There is a major benefit to using liquid supplements versus solid root additives: you can dose a liquid daily and know exactly how much is in the system and available to plants. This is typically not the case with tablet fertilizers. By adding a liquid supplement daily, you are assured that all of the plants in the system are receiving the necessary ions. The amount of supplement used depends on the stocking density of the aquarium, light intensity, and whether or not CO2 is supplemented. Potassium is used by plants in many ways, such as during protein synthesis and the operation of stomata. However, one of its major functions may be in regulating the water balance within the plant. A severe imbalance of potassium could cause cell tissue to swell and rupture, damaging cell tissue. Formula K provides 40,000 mg/L of high quality potassium for your plants, however, without the use of any gluconate or hormones. Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants. Formula K was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Grow, Fe, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, KH+, and Vita supplements. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of inorganic carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

Humic
Description: Humic and Tannic Extract for Biotope Replication
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BH8, BH16, BH4, BH640

Background: Humic acids and tannins are often present in water that has passed or been filtered through an organic derivative, such as peat, sphagnum moss, soil, decaying deciduous leaves, coconut fiber, etc, the acids and tannins being remnants of the decomposition of these and other organic materials. Bodies of water with relatively high concentrations of humic acids often appear stained, or tea-colored. The water is still transparent in many cases, just a deep orange or brown tint; water such as this is often termed “cedar water”, because of the color. It is typically mildly to extremely acidic, and has very low alkalinity. Because humic acid and tannins are organic derivatives, their presence in water is a source of nutrients to plants in and around lakes, rivers, streams, and aquariums. Many species of fish will spawn in response to the addition of humins and tannins.

Grow
Description: Phosphate- and Nitrate-Free Multinutrient Solution
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BGR8, BGR16, BGR4, BGR640

Background: One of the most widely used terms in the freshwater aquarium hobby is “nutrients”, but just what is a nutrient? For plants, a nutrient may be considered any substance that is required for plant growth, from a seed or cutting through the completion of the plant's life, resulting (at some point) in the production of new seeds. These substances are essential to the daily and long-term function of the plants. Macronutrients and micronutrients differ only in the relative amounts that they are utilized in by plants. Without these nutrients in adequate concentrations, plants will suffer and die. Kent Botanica presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants. Botanica Grow provides macronutrients as well as many micronutrients, in concentrations that are widely regarded by aquatic horticulturists as beneficial to most species of ornamental aquatic plants. Grow uses ingredients of the highest quality, and is free of gluconates and growth hormones. Grow was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Fe, K, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, KH+, and Vita supplements. While this product does provide a source of carbon, the use of a CO2 dosing system may be desired to further increase the rate of growth. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration. For detailed information concerning the cultivation of ornamental aquatic plants and other Kent Botanica products, please visit out website at www.kentmarine.com.

GH+
Description: General Hardness Builder for Proper Water Chemistry
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BGH8, BGH16, BGH4, BGH640

Background: General Hardness (GH), from the German Gesamt Haerte meaning total hardness, is, most simply, a measurement of the sum of hardness cations, primarily calcium and magnesium, in solution. [This differs from total dissolved solids (TDS), which is the measurement of all conductive ions in solution.] The general hardness of a solution is most often measured in degrees of general hardness. So-called “hard” water has a high GH relative to “soft” water. The GH required in an aquarium is dictated by the geographic origins of the plants and fishes in the system, and is best determined by doing preliminary research or reading a book on the subject. Botanica GH+ provides the ions necessary to increase general hardness. This product should be used in conjunction with an accurate test kit. General hardness is important because aquatic organisms have evolved under relatively stable conditions, barring seasonal and temporary changes in water chemistry. Therefore they do best over a fairly narrow range of general hardness values. In fact, many species of fish may not breed successfully nor even survive for extended periods of time if the hardness is not within an acceptable range. Plants are no different; extreme values in general hardness may hinder plant tissue production, and can eventually kill the organism. Botanica GH+ and KH+ are best used with reverse osmosis and/or deionized water during initial tank fill-up or during water changes, although dechlorinated tap water will work. Depending on species, changes in GH and KH over a period of several weeks may simulate seasonal variations that many fish use as spawning cues, and that cause many plants to flower and reproduce.

FE
Description: Bio-Available Iron Supplement for Increased Coloration
Type: Freshwater Supplement

Available In: 8, 16, 64 oz & 5 gal

Part Numbers: BFE8, BFE16, BFE64, BFE640

Background: Many aquatic plants take in nutrients not only through through their roots, but also through their leaves. This being the case, liquid supplements that contain the nutrients essential to the health and long-term maintenance of these plants can be used. There is a major benefit to using liquid supplements versus solid root additives: you can dose a liquid daily and calculate to within a small percentage how much of a given substance is in the system and available to plants. This is typically not the case with tablet fertilizers, which dissolve at different rates. The amount of supplement required depends on the stocking density of the aquarium, light intensity, and whether or not CO2 is supplemented. Iron is considered a micronutrient for plants. Like magnesium, iron is needed for production of chlorophyll and activates many enzymes used in metabolic reactions. Many plants with natural red pigmentation intensify in color when an iron supplement is properly utilized. Formula Fe provides high quality bioavailable iron for your plants. The Kent Botanica line presents hobbyists with planted aquariums a range of supplements to help increase growth, coloration, and overall health of their aquatic plants without the use of hormones. Formula Fe was formulated to work in conjunction with Botanica Grow, K, Micro, Nitro+, Phos+, GH+, KH+, and Vita supplements. Plants require stable appropriate water parameters, nutrients, a source of inorganic carbon, and proper lighting (needs often vary by species) in order to grow, bloom, reproduce, and maintain health and coloration.