Use Aquarium Water For Plants

Tip: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

My garden plants are all situated rather close to my home, as it has no outdoor spigot. I discovered a great way to water and feed my plants at the same time! I keep several sizes of aquariums, and use a Python siphon with a 50 ft. long 1/2 inch flexible plastic tube to do weekly water changes (big fish!).

In order to water the tomatoes, peppers, flowers, and whatever else I have growing each season, I place the "out" tube at desired areas from the door or even windows all around the house, start the siphon action with the Python, and out nutrient-rich water flows!

No waiting for buckets to fill, then slosh to the plants outside, and my lovely fish fertilize my plants! Organic and home-grown. Pythons are easy to find at most pet stores that carry fish; it wouldn't be practical for a small tank, but they do come in smaller sizes.

By Srenee from Liberty, NC

Tip: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

Use your water that you've cleaned out from the fish tank to water plants. It's like natural fertilizer!

By noonles from Savannah, GA

Feedback:

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

I have goldfish aquariums in which salt is added for the fishes' health. That water will kill plants. (05/29/2009)

By wasshrunk

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

This is such a great idea! Thanks! Just make sure that no additives or things toxic to plants have been added to the water. (06/01/2009)

By Cyinda

Tip: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

When I clean out my aquarium, I save the dirty aquarium water to water my plants. The water is full of free fish emulsion which houseplants just love! It's free vitamins and minerals for the plants. Saves on having to buy additives.

By Adrienne from Cleveland, OH

Feedback:

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

Doesn't it smell funky? (07/11/2007)

By hsorbits

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

If you change your water on a regular basis, it really doesn't smell bad at all, sort of like a woodland lake. I would be careful about using water if it is being medicated, say for some sort of bacterial or fungal infection.

We have three tanks, a 20 gallon, a 37 gallon and a 50 gallon, so they take a lot of water. We do about a 10% water change every week or, at worst, two. We water all our houseplants then take buckets out to the flowerbeds or the younger shrubs and trees. They all seem to love the extra boost in nutrients (07/11/2007)

By jess

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

There is never a funky smell to our tank water! In fact after watering the plants with fish water, one of our very stubborn Christmas cacti bloomed for the very first time! Nothin' like good ole fish manure! (07/12/2007)

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

Plants LOVE IT, especially house plants. We have a turtle in a 20 gallon tank of rocks/wood/water, OUTSIDE. The algae and turtle waste needs twice a week changing, and that water is DARK GREEN from residual pet food the plants seem to love as well.

Yes, yes, yes, by all means, don't waste it since plants CHEER UP AND ALMOST SPEAK with it. God bless you for your recycling and not wasting. : ) (07/12/2007)

By lyndagayle62

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

I use the water from my 10 gal fishtank to water my houseplants and I use water from my fish pond to water the plants outside. My rose bushes love it, they have more buds this year than I have ever seen before! (04/26/2009)

By kshanahan

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

I have an aquarium in which goldfish live. I add a tablespoon of aquarium salt each time I change some of the water. This salt will KILL plants. (04/26/2009)

By wasshrunk

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

I also go a step further, and run a drain hose from my garden pond to my veggie garden when I change the water. I had great tomatoes last year! (04/26/2009)

By NCTyphoon

RE: Use Aquarium Water For Plants

Is this safe for plants that yield veggies and fruits that you are going to eat? (04/27/2009)

By arippo