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APT Complete (3)

Artful Intelligence. The all-in-one liquid fertilizer for demanding planted aquariums. APT's concentrated, calibrated Capstone Formula grows the hobby's most demanding plants. Keeps the simplest tank thriving too. Complete NPK, micro & trace elements.

Volume

Regular price $20.99
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Artful Intelligence

Built for plants. Backed by science.

Three things APT gets right so your tank actually thrives.

Lush, dense plant growth

Power

Each drop of APT is packed with concentrated plant nutrition, formulated for modern planted tanks. APT contains 5× the amount of Phosphorus (P) and 6× Potassium (K) per ml, compared to older big-brand alternatives. Your plants get more nutrients for every drop.

Vivid red Rotala / Ludwigia

Balance

More isn't always better. APT's nutrient ratios are tuned to bring out the deep reds and oranges in your plants without starving them of what they need to grow.

Healthy fresh new leaves and pearling

Form

What's on the label and what plants actually absorb are two different things. APT's nutrients stay available across a wide range of water conditions so more of every drop reaches the plant.

The 2HR Method

Built for tanks that actually grow.

APT Complete was developed by Dennis Wong, the planted aquarium scientist behind 2HR Aquarist's research approach. Every ratio is calibrated against real world growth data, not marketing assumptions.

It's the fertilizer we use in our own demanding tanks. High light, pressurized CO₂, dense planting, weekly water changes. If it didn't work for us, it wouldn't ship.

"We don't sell a fertilizer that requires a chemistry degree to use. APT Complete is what most aquariums actually need. Nothing more, nothing less." Dennis Wong, founder of 2HR Aquarist
APT Complete (3)
20+
countries · used by thousands of aquarists, IAPLC champions, and the Trident Circle ambassador network.
Dosing made simple

Find your daily dose.

3ml per 100L, once a day. That's the baseline. The 300ml pack ships with a calibrated 1ml/press pump so you can't get it wrong.

Daily dose by tank size · 3ml per 100L
S
Nano · ≤ 60L
2 ml
~2 presses of the calibrated pump.
M
Standard · 100L
3 ml
The baseline. Most tanks live here.
L
Large · 200L
6 ml
Larger displays with moderate planting.
XL
Show tank · 400L+
12+ ml
High light, high CO₂, demanding species.

→ More fish, fewer plants?

Try APT 1, comprehensive nutrition without nitrates and phosphates. Best for new tanks under 3 months and fish heavy setups.

→ Heavy plant load · Dutch style?

Step up to APT e, supremely concentrated and expertly balanced for users who run EI methodology.

⚠ Seeing algae?

Algae usually means too much light or unstable CO₂, not too much fert. Reduce photoperiod first, dose second.

Calculate yours

My tank is...

Your daily dose 3.0ml / day 21 ml weekly · 90 ml monthly
Recommended bottle
300ml Standard ~3 months
The APT range

Pick the formula that matches your tank.

Three formulations for three kinds of tank. Most aquariums need APT Complete, but if yours is special, we have you covered.

1

APT 1

Fish heavy & new tanks
  • More fish, fewer plants
  • New tanks (under 3 months) with aquasoil
  • No nitrates / phosphates
  • Maximum algae control
Shop APT 1 →
e

APT e

Dutch style · EI methodology
  • Heavily planted Dutch style tanks
  • Estimative Index dosers
  • Supremely concentrated
  • Expertly balanced ratios
Shop APT e →
Honest expectations

When APT might not work.

Most fertiliser brands won't tell you this. We'd rather you buy once and succeed than buy twice and quit.

In new tanks (< 6 months)

Algae outbreaks in young tanks are normal. Most are caused by inadequate cycling, not fertiliser. APT can't compensate for skipped steps. Plants take 2 to 3 months to adapt without CO₂. Look for improvement in new leaves, not old ones.

If you switch dosing too fast

Going from very lean to very rich (or vice versa) forces plants to reprogram their cells, and that almost always triggers algae. Transition over 2 to 3 weeks. The longer slow growers have adapted to your tank, the harder it is to switch.

If your mature tank has hidden organic waste

In mature tanks, plants adjusting to better nutrition release proteins that feed algae. Combined with accumulated waste on mosses and slow growers, this can briefly trigger blooms. Do a thorough water change after replanting to release trapped organics safely.

"Zombie" slow growers

Mosses, Bucephalandra, Crypts, Java Fern, and Anubias can sit in stalled "Zombie" states for months. When you improve conditions, they accelerate shedding old leaves, which attracts algae. This is normal recovery, not failure.

Pairs perfectly with

Complete the system.

These handle the edge cases that a single fertiliser can't.

APT Balance
Bacterial supplement

APT Balance

A live bacterial supplement designed for aquasoil tanks. Stabilises biological filtration and helps tanks cycle faster.

$29.99 Shop →
APT Fix
Algae treatment

APT Fix

Targeted treatment for stubborn algae outbreaks. Hits BBA, hair, fuzz, and filamentous algae at the source while staying gentle on plants, shrimp, and fish.

From $20.99 Shop →
APT Jazz
Root tabs

APT Jazz

A nitrate limiting root supplement that unlocks the deepest reds in Rotala, Ludwigia, and other demanding red plants. Slot it into the substrate and let it work.

From $25.74 Shop →
#TanksOnAPT

Real tanks. Real growth.

Every photo below is a tank dosed with the APT range. Tag @2hraquarist on Instagram and yours might be next.

@mannesmatthew
@mannesmatthewIAPLC '22 grand prize
@scaping.architect
@scaping.architectAustralia's #1 Aquascaper 23
@sid.scapes
@sid.scapesLondon urban scaper
@tom_ryan_aqua
@tom_ryan_aquaNAL team · IAPLC 25 Honour prize
@julienscape
@julienscapeFrance - IIAC 20
20,000+aquascapers20+countries worldwide11years of research & formulation
Common questions

Before you add to cart.

If you have a question that isn't covered here, our team replies to every email within one business day.

APT Complete (3) is the all rounder, built for tanks with more plants than fish, with full NPK plus macro, micro, and trace nutrition. It's the safe pick for the hobby's most demanding plants. APT 1 contains no nitrates or phosphates and is designed for fish heavy tanks or new tanks under 3 months with aquasoil, giving maximum algae control. APT e is the supremely concentrated formula for heavily planted Dutch style tanks and aquascapers running Estimative Index. If you're not sure which to pick, start with APT Complete.

Yes. APT Complete contains no copper or zinc above trace levels and is used safely in shrimp tanks worldwide, including with Crystal Reds and Caridina species. As with any fertilizer, dose accurately and observe your livestock for the first week.

At 3ml per 100L per day, a 300ml bottle lasts roughly 3 months on a 30 Gal / 115L tank. The 100ml Starter ships with a calibrated dropper, the 300ml Standard with a 1ml/press pump. The 1000ml bottle works out to the best price per ml, worth it for multiple tanks or larger displays.

Algae is almost always caused by excess light or unstable CO₂, not fertilizer. APT Complete's ratios are tuned to provide enough nutrition for healthy plants without leaving excess in the water column. Persistent algae usually means it's time to reduce your photoperiod or check CO₂ stability.

We ship across NZ with NZ Post (overnight to most cities) and offer DHL international shipping to Australia and the Pacific. Liquid fertilizer ships in protective packaging and is fully insured. Free shipping on NZ orders over $150.

Unopened bottles can be returned within 30 days for a full refund. If you're unhappy with your results after using the product, get in touch. We'd rather help you dial it in than lose a customer.

No. APT Complete works in tanks without CO₂ injection. Plants in non CO₂ tanks just take longer to adapt (typically 2-3 months instead of a couple of weeks), so look for improvement in new leaves, not old ones. Two small tweaks help in low tech setups: dose a bit less (e.g. 2ml per 100L daily, or 3ml every other day) since low light plants consume nutrients more slowly, and if your tank is fish heavy, APT 1 is a better fit with the same complete trace mix and no added nitrogen or phosphorus.

Lush plants. One bottle.

Most aquascapers see visible new growth within 14 days. A drop a day, in a tank that finally lives up to what you imagined.

One of the best all in one fertilizers I've used. Plants are thriving with rich color and steady growth. Noticeable improvement within a couple of weeks.

Joe G., verified buyer