Phytoplankton culture w/ miraclegro QuickStart???

[dingodan87]

Accidentally bought miracle gro quick start transplanting solution instead of the all purpose plant food! Anyone know if it's fine to use? What's the difference? I've lost the receipt so I can't return it

[gogo7]

split your culture and try it on a little bit.
what are you usually using?

[dingodan87]

This is my first attempt following a recipe from online. First thing I noticed is that reef nutrition's live phyto is extremely concentrated. Had to split it a few times to see a difference in color.

[billsreef]

Your far better off ditching the Miracle Gro and getting some proper Guillards media such as Florida Aquafarms Micro Algae Grow (http://florida-aqua-farms.com/shop/micro-algae-grow/). It will grow a vastly superior (nutritionally) phytoplankton, and not really cost any more.

[dingodan87]

Yea I heard about them but assumed they don't ship to Canada..I'll look into it

[billsreef]

Live cultures might be problematic, but I'd expect the "dry goods" should ship to Canada. Worth giving them a call.

[dingodan87]

Know of any sources about what exactly phyto requires for food? Nitrogen, phosphate etc?

[billsreef]

Google "Guillard's f/2 media" for the ingredients. It isn't just what makes the phyto grow, but also the ingredients that make it nutritious for what you feed the phyto to. Comes down to the old "you are what you eat".