Miracle Grow for Plankton culture?

[Ding2daDong]

Does the miracle grow have any ill effects on the reef? I hear many people use it for there phytoplankton cultures with great results. On the other hand I hear people saying not to buy phytoplankton grown with miracle grow.

I think this is the right forum for this topic.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

-Matthew

[kau_cinta_ku]

it does work well but the merical grow also contains alot of phosphates which is why alot of ppl don't like to use it

[Samala]

Kau's right, the proportion of phosphate in Miracle Grow doesn't usually line up well with the growing needs of phytoplankton. The end result is usually an overabundance of phosphates in the growing water. If you pour the culture water into the tank, along with the phyto, then you've effectively added a bunch of fertilizer to the tank. You can also add ammonia to the tank this way, as well as heavy metals from the Miracle Grow which corals may not appreciate it.

If you must use Miracle Grow to culture phyto, then concentrate down the cells of the phyto as much as possible before feeding out to the reef. That way you can decrease the amount of culture water (and any excess nutrients).

The best fertilizer to use on phytoplankton, I've found, is the f/2 guillard's formula. It has a better proportion of needed nutrients, and includes vitamins and other trace minerals that Miracle Grow usually doenst have. So, in theory (since I havent had it tested) you get better fed - and hopefuly more nutritious - phytoplankton for the reef.

This formula is pretty widely available, you can check out Florida Aqua Farms and Aquatic Ecosystems for it, or even www.aquaculturestore.com.

>Sarah