f/2 fertilizer

[max1221$]

Hello folks ,

So I have couples of questions come to my mind regarding fertilizer and culturing phytoplankton :

1- what the chemical formula of the f/2 fertilizer??

2- can we use any type of the iron which it’s chemical formula fe3o2 or iron (II) oxides like Kent product or brightwell FERRION
To culturing phytoplankton ???

Thanks in advance

 

[ChrisOFL]

Hello folks ,

So I have couples of questions come to my mind regarding fertilizer and culturing phytoplankton :

1- what the chemical formula of the f/2 fertilizer??

2- can we use any type of the iron which it’s chemical formula fe3o2 or iron (II) oxides like Kent product or brightwell FERRION
To culturing phytoplankton ???

Thanks in advance

Guillard's F/2 fertilizer is specially formulated to grow phytoplankton. You can make a "bootleg" version using kent trace elements and adding iron/nitrate but it's not cheaper than just buying the f/2. People also use miracle grow but I would advise against this because it contains copper. Since phytoplankton is a bottom food chain organism, any elements like copper will build up in your livestock that consume the phytoplankton and could potentially poison them over time (fish fry, corals, copepods, etc.) I personally use an algae grow formula from Aquaculture Nursery Farms. They have developed their own fertilizer for growing phytoplankton and it is working great for me so far.

 

[max1221$]

Guillard's F/2 fertilizer is specially formulated to grow phytoplankton. You can make a "bootleg" version using kent trace elements and adding iron/nitrate but it's not cheaper than just buying the f/2. People also use miracle grow but I would advise against this because it contains copper. Since phytoplankton is a bottom food chain organism, any elements like copper will build up in your livestock that consume the phytoplankton and could potentially poison them over time (fish fry, corals, copepods, etc.) I personally use an algae grow formula from Aquaculture Nursery Farms. They have developed their own fertilizer for growing phytoplankton and it is working great for me so far.

Thanks a lot for the info , so using only iron will not helping culturing phytoplankton??

The problem is i already got 2 bottle of phytoplankton but the fertilizer is delayed due to some issue during the transportation
And it’s hard to get those stuff locally.
I am worry the might not last tell I receive the fertilizer.

 

[ChrisOFL]

Thanks a lot for the info , so using only iron will not helping culturing phytoplankton??

The problem is i already got 2 bottle of phytoplankton but the fertilizer is delayed due to some issue during the transportation
And it’s hard to get those stuff locally.
I am worry the might not last tell I receive the fertilizer.

Keep it in the fridge if you haven't put it there already, most strains can last for about a month in the fridge some can last longer. Make sure you shake it up daily to prevent the phyto from settling. It should always have a seaweed like odor to the phyto, when you start smelling sulfur this means it is starting to die off. You should be able to start your culture once the fertilizer arrives.

 

[max1221$]

Keep it in the fridge if you haven't put it there already, most strains can last for about a month in the fridge some can last longer. Make sure you shake it up daily to prevent the phyto from settling. It should always have a seaweed like odor to the phyto, when you start smelling sulfur this means it is starting to die off. You should be able to start your culture once the fertilizer arrives.

I will wait and see how it’s going

One last question at what water temperature you culturing your phytoplankton??

 

[ChrisOFL]

I will wait and see how it’s going

One last question at what water temperature you culturing your phytoplankton??

Around 75-76F, basically whatever temperature my house is at. I keep my S.G. for the cultures around 1.020 because I also culture copepods for my tank and this salinity works out well for both.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

2- can we use any type of the iron which it’s chemical formula fe3o2 or iron (II) oxides like Kent product or brightwell FERRION
To culturing phytoplankton ???

Thanks in advance

I don't think any products would use Fe2O3 or iron (II) oxides. They would not be soluble.

Ferrion, for example, says it is chelated iron:

http://brightwellaquatics.com/products/ferriont.php

"Iron (Fe) (min) 0.40% Chelated Iron"

Same for Kent:

"Iron (Fe) 0.24% 0.24 Chelated Iron (Fe)"