Easy Green vs APT Complete
Two all-in-one liquid fertilisers that both carry NPK, iron and traces in one bottle — but for different keepers. Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green is the forgiving, pump-dosed beginner default; 2Hr Aquarist APT Complete is the concentrated, competition-grade pick for demanding aquascapes. Here's which bottle your tank wants.
The quick verdict
Both are excellent, and both are shrimp-safe — the split is about how demanding your tank is. For a low- to medium-light planted tank where you want one bottle that just works with no measuring, the Easy Green is close to foolproof. For a high-light, CO2-injected aquascape chasing colour, carpets and fast growth, the more concentrated, precisely balanced APT Complete is worth the premium.
| Easy Green | APT Complete | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains NPK + Fe + traces | Yes | Yes |
| Concentration | Standard | High |
| Ease of dosing | Pump top, 1 mL/press | Measured by mL |
| Shrimp-safe (low copper) | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Cheaper (≈ $15) | Premium (≈ $37) |
| Best tank | Low–medium light | High-light / CO2 |
| Best for | Beginners, low-tech | Enthusiast aquascapes |
Ease vs precision
The everyday experience is the clearest difference. Easy Green is built to remove guesswork: the pump top doses one millilitre per press (roughly the dose for 40 L), there's a simple chart, and it's genuinely hard to get wrong on a low- to medium-light tank. APT Complete is aimed higher — it's more concentrated and more carefully balanced to feed fast-growing, brightly-lit plants steadily without handing algae an easy meal. On a demanding, CO2-injected scape that steadier balance shows up as better colour and cleaner growth; on a simple low-tech tank it's simply overkill.
Value and where each fits
Easy Green is cheaper up front and covers most planted tanks for months. APT Complete costs more but is concentrated, so doses are small and a 500 mL bottle lasts a mid tank a long time — you're paying for capability, not just volume. Both are water-column feeders, so pair either with a root tab under heavy root-feeders. Whichever you dose, start at the label rate, watch the plants, and adjust only if you see deficiency signs.
Our pick
For a first planted tank or any low-tech setup, the pump-dosed Easy Green is the sensible default — cheap, forgiving and effective. Graduate to APT Complete when a bright, fast-growing aquascape is outpacing a basic liquid. Read the full Easy Green review and APT Complete review, or compare every option on our plant fertilizers hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Easy Green or APT Complete better?
They target different tanks. Easy Green is the forgiving beginner default: one pump-bottle of balanced NPK plus traces, dosed by the press, ideal for low- to medium-light planted tanks. APT Complete is the concentrated, precisely balanced enthusiast pick for high-light, CO2-injected aquascapes chasing colour and fast growth. Low-tech: Easy Green. High-tech aquascape: APT Complete.
Are both safe for shrimp?
Yes, both are formulated with low copper and are safe for cherry and Caridina shrimp at the recommended dose. As always with sensitive shrimp, ease in gradually rather than adding a big dose at once, and start at half rate if you're nervous.
Do I still need root tabs with either one?
Both are water-column fertilisers, so both do nothing directly at the roots. For most stem plants, mosses and epiphytes like Anubias and Java fern, the liquid alone is enough. Heavy root-feeders such as Amazon swords and larger crypts still want a root tab pushed into the substrate near their base, whichever liquid you dose.
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