Macro and Micro nutrients.

cyclocross · 06-20-2012, 02:45 PM

After I had mixed my fertilizers for EI dosing, it occurred to me that I had read somewhere that you shouldn't mix both macro and micro nutrients, but searching threads I can't find anything about it. Is this the case? Do I need to throw out my existing mix?

Sierra255 · 06-20-2012, 03:17 PM

I think there's two reasons why you don't want to mix macros and micros in water.

1. The EI method of dosing calls for macros and micros to be dosed on alternating days, not at the same time. And there's a reason this method exists, because it works.

2. If I remember correctly, there is a conflict between the two that will cause one fert to precipitate out of solution. If it precipitates out of solution, it isn't getting added to the aquarium.

**nilocg** · 06-21-2012, 12:28 AM

You can add everything together other than phosphate(kh2po4) and anything with iron in it such as CSM+B

Diana · 06-22-2012, 02:54 AM

The timing on the dosing (alternating days for macros and micros) is not cast in stone. Use whatever timing works for you.

Not mixing the phosphate fertilizer with iron containing products is important. So set up at least 2 bottles. I have seen some pictures of the precipitate that happens when these 2 mix. Not toxic, but it locks up the fertilizers so they are not available to the plants.

Separating them as macros and micros is simply a convenient way to keep things organized. You can dose them one after the other in the tank, if that is how you want to do that.

06-20-2012, 02:45 PM	#1
cyclocross Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Eden Prairie MN Posts: 9	Macro and Micro nutrients. After I had mixed my fertilizers for EI dosing, it occurred to me that I had read somewhere that you shouldn't mix both macro and micro nutrients, but searching threads I can't find anything about it. Is this the case? Do I need to throw out my existing mix?

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06-20-2012, 03:17 PM	#2
Sierra255 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dickinson, TX Posts: 217	I think there's two reasons why you don't want to mix macros and micros in water. 1. The EI method of dosing calls for macros and micros to be dosed on alternating days, not at the same time. And there's a reason this method exists, because it works. 2. If I remember correctly, there is a conflict between the two that will cause one fert to precipitate out of solution. If it precipitates out of solution, it isn't getting added to the aquarium.

06-21-2012, 12:28 AM	#3
nilocg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (330/100%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PacNW Posts: 2,160	You can add everything together other than phosphate(kh2po4) and anything with iron in it such as CSM+B

06-22-2012, 02:54 AM	#4
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,078	The timing on the dosing (alternating days for macros and micros) is not cast in stone. Use whatever timing works for you. Not mixing the phosphate fertilizer with iron containing products is important. So set up at least 2 bottles. I have seen some pictures of the precipitate that happens when these 2 mix. Not toxic, but it locks up the fertilizers so they are not available to the plants. Separating them as macros and micros is simply a convenient way to keep things organized. You can dose them one after the other in the tank, if that is how you want to do that.