Nutrient enrichment

[Subsea]

Because I commercially produce macros and corals, I run high nutrient systems. In my outside growout systems I use CO2 as a carbon source. On my inside growout systems I use 5% vinegar as a carbon source.

Instead of using food as a nutrient source, I choose to use commercial fertilizers: iron, iodine, manganese, dipotassium phosphate, NH4 as a nitrogen source. For trace mineral addittion, I use liquid kelp concentrate.

In researching my options for fertilizer sources, I continue coming back to all purpose Miracle-Gro. With the exception of iodine, Miracle-Gro has everything macro needs to grow abundantly. While the ratio of nitrogen to phosphate is 3:1, I would supplement NH4 to get nitrogen concentration up to 30:1 which is the labarotory chemical analysis of Gracilaria Parvispora that I had analyzed.

While the MSDS sheet and the manufactures "Guaranteed Analysis" sheet list the chemicals as water soluble, does that mean that these chemicals are bio available for macro uptake?
Patrick

http://www.eldoradochemical.com/MSD...IRACLE_GRO_ALL_PURPOSE_PLANT_FOOD_24-8-16.pdf

 

[billsreef]

They should be bio available The big thing to look at is the copper and zinc concentrations. They are quite elevated compared to Guillards. While it is not likely a problem for getting your macros to grow, it could be an issue with the end your product in terms of use.

 

[Subsea]

They should be bio available The big thing to look at is the copper and zinc concentrations. They are quite elevated compared to Guillards. While it is not likely a problem for getting your macros to grow, it could be an issue with the end your product in terms of use.

Bill,
I was surprised with a copper concentration of 20% for Red Ogo seaweed. Two seperate industrial/agricultural labs showed zero copper in groundwater analysis. Macro algae must like copper. I think everything in nature uses cooper & zinc in proper amounts. When working with municipal wastewater treatment, a sustainable reuse of dehydrated sewage sludge was part of a "beneficial reuse program". Green golf courses were of immediate benefit.
I was reading the link you posted in the DSB thread. Very informative with the complicated chemistry and biology of sand beds. It is an example of recycling as practiced by nature. Nature does not waste energy. The differrent progressions of nitrate redox, iron redox and sulphate redox all happen in their automatic processes as maintained by "dynamic equilibrium". When maintained with the proper micro inverts like bristle worms and amphipods to increase bioturbiation and irrigation within the matrix of the substrate our sandbeds manufacture much live food for our reef tanks.
Patrick

 

[billsreef]

It really is quite fascinating all the variations in nature. Macro's defiantly suck up copper and other metals. In areas where nori is grown in polluted harbors (asia), arsenic concentrations are quite high. I forget the citation now, but I read an interesting paper on that subject some years ago. Sort of thing to make you think twice about that imported nori in the asian market.

 

[Subsea]

It really is quite fascinating all the variations in nature. Macro's defiantly suck up copper and other metals. In areas where nori is grown in polluted harbors (asia), arsenic concentrations are quite high. I forget the citation now, but I read an interesting paper on that subject some years ago. Sort of thing to make you think twice about that imported nori in the asian market.

Why would arsenic build up in polluted industrial areas? What is arsenic used for in the industrial community?
Patrick

 

[billsreef]

It's used in some metal alloys, notably some of the brass alloys, lead, and gallium arsenide used for semi conductors in electronics. It's also a common pollutant from smelting operations and coal burning. Still used in CCA for treated lumber in many parts of the world as well.