Miracle grow Vs. F/2

wildeone · 08-01-2006, 12:12 AM

We are having a little discussion in this thread about F/2 and miracle grow. Can you jump in and offer your input on the subject? Thanks in advance!

Culturing Phyto - Video Podcast Episode 39

m8298 · 08-01-2006, 07:34 PM

You know after reading that thread, I read my Miracle-Gro bottle and it lists 0.10% Chelated Iron. I read somewhere that Celated Iron was good for something in an aquarium, I just don't remember what, or where I read it. I think it had something to do with battling hair algae, but I'm not sure. Is 0.10% a lot?

That thread has me thinking of changing, I just really like being able to go to the store and but Miracle-Gro, as opposed to having to order online.

I have had really good results with it in the few weeks since I started my culture. I first got the idea of using MG from Melev's web site: http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html
And he was using tap water.

wildeone · 08-01-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m8298

I have had really good results with it in the few weeks since I started my culture. I first got the idea of using MG from Melev's web site: http://www.melevsreef.com/phytoplankton.html
And he was using tap water.

I love that website, but if he was using tap water, then that explains why Miracle grow was no big deal, it was the least of the worries.

LOL

m8298 · 08-01-2006, 09:08 PM

I kinda thought the same thing. lol Melev is a wizard with acrylic, I love the page on his sump designs.

I use RO in mine. The phtyo gets nice and dark, it seems to get there faster. It also seems like I need to shake a little more. I can probably solve that with a bigger air pump.

***Rob*** · 08-01-2006, 11:05 PM

if you read more of his stuff you also notice he went through weeks of crashing cultures for reasons he couldn't explain... i dont remember what the cause was, i thing it was the amounts of MG he was using.. not sure... but make sure you get that info so you don make the same mistakes he did.. learn from his mistakes..

m8298 · 08-03-2006, 06:47 PM

Yeah I saw that. I'm glad you mentioned it though in case anyone else reads the thread.

JeffDubya · 10-30-2006, 04:49 PM

Just remember... whatever you grow your phyto with ends up in your tank. (Unless you are growing phyto to feed other things, like copepods)

So, if you wouldn't use tap water in your tank, don't use it for phyto. I started doing my phyto (as did many others) with Miracle Gro. A 10 minute conversation with Erik from Alga-Gen and I switched to his F/2 product. Bottom line, MG is fertilizer for critters of a more terrestrial origin. F/2 is extremely inexpensive, works great (better in my opinion) and I just could not see any potential negatives for using this product.

F/2 rocks!

veriann · 10-31-2006, 05:29 AM

is it to much of a trade secret to ask what F/2 is made of? & how it differs on the chemical level to MGrow with absorbtion.