The most expensive fertilizer mistake in the hobby is buying the wrong NilocG Thrive formula. Dose Thrive+ in a dim, no-CO2 tank and you feed algae instead of plants; dose low-demand ThriveC in a high-tech Dutch scape and your fast growers starve within weeks. Four formulas, one shelf — here is how to pick the right bottle for your aquarium.
Which NilocG Thrive Formula Fits Your Tank?
Pick the formula that matches your plant demand, not the "best" one. A CO2-injected tank burns nutrients far faster than a low-tech one — feeding both the same fertilizer is like feeding a marathon runner and a house cat the same dinner:
- CO2 + strong light + dense fast growers → Thrive+, the strongest macro delivery.
- Typical community tank, moderate light, no CO2 → Thrive, the balanced default.
- Low-tech, low-light, slow growers → ThriveC, a gentler formula for modest uptake.
- Shrimp colony first, plants second → ThriveS, built around shrimp maintenance.
Still comparing brands rather than formulas? Our roundup of the best liquid fertilizers for aquarium plants puts the whole Thrive line in context against Easy Green, APT, and Seachem.
| Formula | Built for | Dosing (per NilocG) | Shrimp note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrive | Most planted aquariums | All-in-one pump dosing per the bottle label | Shrimp-safe at label doses |
| Thrive+ | High-demand: high light, CO2, fast growers | 1 pump / 10 gal, 1–3x per week | Shrimp-safe at label doses |
| ThriveC | Lower-tech, moderate-demand tanks | 1 mL / 5 gal, 1–2x per week | Shrimp-safe at label doses |
| ThriveS | Shrimp-focused planted tanks | 1 mL / 5 gal, 1–3x per week | No added copper; built for shrimp routines |
Thrive: The All-Around Default
The original Thrive is NilocG's general-purpose all-in-one: complete macros and micros in one pump bottle, built for the wide middle of the hobby. In NilocG's official "Choose Your Thrive" guide, the company puts it plainly: "For most planted aquariums, Thrive is the easiest place to start."
Take that at face value. A community tank with moderate light, easy stems, crypts, and swords, and no CO2 needs consistency more than concentration — dose per the pump instructions on the bottle, on the same days each week. Our guide to dosing all-in-one fertilizers the right way shows how to settle into that rhythm without the algae rollercoaster.
Thrive+: For High-Demand, CO2-Driven Tanks
Thrive+ is the most concentrated formula in the line, built for tanks where plant demand outruns standard dosing: strong light, injected CO2, and densely packed fast growers. Starve it and deficiency shows fast: pale new growth, pinholes in older leaves, stalled carpets.
The numbers tell the story. Each dose (1 pump per 10 gallons, 1–3x per week) adds roughly 7.5 ppm nitrate, 5 ppm potassium, 1.3 ppm phosphate, and 0.4 ppm iron, per NilocG's listing. That is why Thrive+ is the wrong pick for a low-tech tank: unused nutrients become algae food. With RO or very soft water, pair it with a GH booster, since RO strips the calcium and magnesium the formula assumes your tap water provides.
ThriveC: For Low-Tech, Lower-Demand Tanks
ThriveC is the mirror image of Thrive+: a deliberately moderate formula (NPK 1.24-0.53-5.06) for lower-tech aquariums — 1 mL per 5 gallons, 1–2x per week, with NilocG's official ThriveC FAQ suggesting weekly 20–30% water changes to keep things reset.
One myth to kill before you buy: ThriveC is not nitrate-free. Its official guaranteed analysis lists 1.24% nitrate nitrogen (derived from potassium nitrate) — anyone claiming otherwise has not read the label. And if you are still on the fence about fertilizing a low-tech tank at all, read our honest take on do aquarium plants really need fertilizer first.
ThriveS: For Shrimp-First Tanks
ThriveS is formulated for shrimp-focused planted tanks and their stability-first routines — smaller or less frequent water changes than a planted-tank purist runs. Dose 1 mL per 5 gallons, 1–3x per week, without adding water-change burden beyond normal shrimp-tank maintenance.
The headline feature is copper: NilocG formulates ThriveS without added copper, stating that the current ingredient list includes no copper source. And here is the honesty the manufacturer insists on: all four Thrive lines are shrimp-safe when dosed as directed. Thrive, Thrive+, and ThriveC are fine in planted tanks that contain shrimp — ThriveS simply puts shrimp at the center instead of treating them as a side constraint. Do not claim "copper-free" for any bottle but ThriveS; copper is a micronutrient, and shrimp need trace amounts from their diet.
What About ThriveTabs and ThriveCaps?
For completeness: ThriveTabs and ThriveCaps are root-zone tabs that feed the substrate directly. Liquid formulas feed through the water column — perfect for stems, mosses, and epiphytes — but heavy root feeders like Amazon swords genuinely draw most of their food from the substrate. NilocG's own FAQ says root tabs can be used alongside any liquid formula: if your swords yellow despite a solid liquid routine, push a tab near the roots and move on.
If dosing days keep slipping, pair them with your water changes on a weekly fertilizer schedule — the simplest way to never miss a dose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular Thrive in a shrimp tank?
Yes. Per NilocG's own FAQ, all four Thrive formulas are safe for planted aquariums containing shrimp when dosed as directed. ThriveS is the shrimp-focused pick (no added copper, designed around shrimp routines), but regular Thrive will not harm your colony at label doses. Never exceed the label.
Thrive vs Thrive+: which one should I buy?
Buy Thrive for a typical planted community tank with moderate light and no CO2 — the balanced default. Buy Thrive+ only for injected CO2, strong light, and fast-growing species: each dose adds 7.5 ppm nitrate, 5 ppm potassium, 1.3 ppm phosphate, and 0.4 ppm iron. In a low-tech tank that extra nutrition mostly feeds algae.
Does ThriveC contain nitrates?
Yes — despite the forum myth, its official analysis lists 1.24% nitrate nitrogen (from potassium nitrate), within an NPK of 1.24-0.53-5.06. ThriveC is a moderate formula for lower-tech tanks — gentler than Thrive+ — but it does supply nitrogen. Always trust the manufacturer's analysis over forum posts.
How should I dose NilocG Thrive for the first time?
Start at the lowest labeled frequency. For Thrive+, that is 1 pump per 10 gallons once per week before adding a second or third weekly dose. For ThriveC, dose 1 mL per 5 gallons 1–2x per week; for ThriveS, 1 mL per 5 gallons 1–3x per week. Watch new plant growth for two to three weeks between adjustments, and pair dosing days with your weekly 20–30% water changes.
Do I still need root tabs if I use liquid Thrive?
For most plants, no — liquid Thrive feeds through the water column, covering stems, mosses, and epiphytes completely. But heavy root feeders like Amazon swords draw most of their nutrition from the substrate — NilocG's ThriveTabs and ThriveCaps feed the root zone and can be used alongside any liquid formula.
Match the bottle to your light, CO2, and livestock, dose on schedule, and give your plants a month.