Fulvic acid is a 100% natural substance with a complex of essential minerals and vitamins.
It is also a natural cell regenerator and a strongly alkalizing substance of plant origin. With over 70 minerals, vitamins, electrolytes and organic acids, it is able to penetrate cell membranes and deliver all these nutrients directly to the cell. In addition to eliminating heavy metals, its molecular composition helps initiate the regeneration process in each cell. No other substance works on these three levels. In addition, fulvic acid is 100% natural and has not been altered or chemically preserved. It does not contain any additives, stabilizers or preservatives. Its high, alkaline pH makes it naturally preserved! After using fulvic acid, the germination of fungi, bacteria and other pathogens is simply impossible in it!
What exactly does it do?
The main function of fulvic acid is to nourish every cell of the body by providing it with minerals and vitamins, electrolytes and organic acids. Colloquially, we can call it a natural "transporter".
How is it with aquariums?
Crystal clear, undisturbed water in the aquarium - is not always an ideal condition for fish, other living organisms and plants. There is information among aquarists, sometimes less precise, that the use of fulvic acids in water promotes the health of fish and plants. We will try to present it in a simple way how it really is, where they come from and what impact they have on the inhabitants of your aquarium. Do they work or are they ok or maybe not……. How do they affect the quality of water, do they prevent diseases when added to it, does it strengthen the immune system of aquatic organisms, and even stimulate spawning?
Humic substances
Fulvic acids belong to the group of humic substances. Humic substances with a high molecular weight are formed in the process of humification - i.e. decomposition of organic, mainly plant material. Humic substances and fulvic acids are abundant in all the waters of the world. Particularly high concentrations are found in the black rivers of the Amazon. This is where they play an important role: the pH value of the black rivers is only 3 or 4, and the mineral deficiency is huge - not a good basis for animal life. Only due to the presence of humic substances, small amounts of nutrients are present in a complex form, which plants and animals can absorb more effectively.
Fulvic acids are ubiquitous in nature
Humic substances - and therefore also fulvic acids - occur in all ecosystems of the world. In most inland waters, the ratio of humic substances to organisms is 10:1 - in seawater even 100:1. It can therefore be assumed that fish and aquatic plants are accustomed to the presence of humic substances and fulvic acids, which are necessary for optimal development. Particularly for animals from blackwater habitats, they are actually essential for survival.
Nice theory, but what about practice or maybe some credibility?
Aquatic ecologist Dr. Christian Steinberg from the Humboldt University of Berlin has been conducting research on the effect of fulvic acids in aquaculture for years. According to his findings, fulvic acids exert a slight, permanent chemical stress on organisms, which produces a vaccination-like effect. This causes multiple resistance to stress in animals, which, among other things, may have an impact on extending life - they become more resistant to destructive environmental influences and potential causes of diseases.
Steinberg and his team also observed that fish and other aquarium inhabitants became more colorful, produced more offspring, were generally healthier, and recovered from ailments more quickly. Details are outlined on the university website for review and analysis.
Fulvic acids – universal agents for water, plants and animals
The use of humic substances in general and fulvic acids in particular also has a positive effect on the water itself. They act as a natural pH buffer and thus prevent, for example, a shift in the material balance related to the pH value at low carbonate hardness (KH). But it should be noted here that it will never act as a long-term buffer in RO water.
Aquarium plants benefit from the comprehensive properties of fulvic acid as natural ligands: It binds and precipitates heavy metals while increasing the availability of important nutrients such as iron. Nitrogen and phosphorus can also be better absorbed by plants.
Fulvic acids – Benefits:
- Provides living organisms with more elements necessary for life compared to unsupplemented water,
- Improves the absorption of trace elements from the water into the fish's body
- Improves the quality and quantity of hatching eggs,
- Increase progeny survival through prophylactic treatment of eggs and larvae
- Positive effect on fish's immune system
- Blocks secondary infection
- Improve fish condition through high stress resistance
- Poprawia kondycję ryb dzięki wysokiej odporności na stres
Humin Fulvic – Aquarium preparation is also great for supplementing minerals, but in addition to humic compounds contains fulvic acid, has a dark brown color is odorless, does not affect the pH in the tank where it is applied:
Fulvic acid +/- 20%
pH 8,0 – 8,4
Calcium (Ca) 0.6 g / l
Sodium (Na) 33.6 g / l
Iron (Fe) 112 mg / l
Manganese (Mn) 3 mg / l
Magnesium (Mg) 58 mg / l