Fish water good for plants?

[mooseman]

OK, I swear my wife is making me post this thread.

She heard somewhere that the fish water I take out of my tank for the weekly water changes would be excellent to water her house plants with (lots of nutrients I guess) Does anyone have any idea if this is true or not. I guess it does make some sense that it could have some good fertilizer in it.

Anyway, thanks for your 2 cents worth.

 

[Faramir]

I can't imagine why it would be anything but good. All that nitrate and decomposing fish 'compost'.

 

[wetmanNY]

Absolutely. Pour it around the roses. Even house plants.

 

[JamisonBWolsh]

Nitrates are GREAT for plants. Its a natural fertilizer. It would be better for indoor plants. If you have plants, use it. Free fertilizer!!

 

[Anton Wernher]

Why would it be better for indoor plants?

 

[JamisonBWolsh]

I Knew someone would catch me on that!!! I would think because the indoor plants only water source is what you give them, so they reap 100 percent of the benefits. The outdoor plants (matter where you live) have alot more access to water sources, so the benefits would not be so good.

 

[Faramir]

And with outdoor plants, a lot of the nutrients you pour on them leach away, or are washed away, before the plant gets them.

 

[OrionGirl]

I use all of my water from changes on my plants. All the house plants get hit, and then the newest plants outside (ie newly planted shrubs/trees) then the peonies and the roses. I can tell a huge difference on the house plants, to a lesser degree on the outside plants. At work, everyone always is 'stealing' the water from my changes--I put it in 1 gallon buckets so it's easier to water my own work plants.

Not only is it great for plants, but it means your conserving water, which is always a plus. Using tank water also reduces the amount of chlorine your plants are exposed to (for those on city water), which helps them out as well.

 

[FishmasteR2002]

I figured it was good for plants but now I am definitely going to use my tank water on my garden.

 

[amy]

If you use salt in your tanks, you might want to think twice about watering your plants with fish water. If enough salt builds up in the soil, then your plants will die despite all the wonderful nitrates that are being added. If you have been watering your plants with salted fish water, don't worry too much. It usually takes an enormous amount of salt to kill a plant; and that which comes from a standard salted but freshwater tank is usually pretty dilute.