Diy Frets Question

[mike455555]

anyone know if its cheaper to make your own ferts for plants (not co2) but like the the trace elements which plants would need?
if so which chemicals would you need to buy and how much of each would you need?

 

[L_Plates]

Buy this starter pack buddy, http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fertilisers/dry-chemicals/starter-kits/ei-starter-kit.html

It is a lot cheaper that buying the ready made.

Its easy to make the mix as the kit comes with all the information needed.

LP

 

[mike455555]

thanks =] i might just try to buy bulk (mums a science teachers i could ask her to put a order in =D) but the price looks fairly good 500G of Potassium Nitrate is £7 online... the whole kit is only £18

 

[Mikaila31]

I'm not sure why but that kit doesn't have Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4) which is usually used in EI for K. I'm not sure why the prices are so different compared to the US, but a pound (500g being a little more) of KNO3 usually costs $4 or about 1/3 the cost. When it comes to dry fertilizers most are really cheap except the trace or micro fertilizer. It usually costs over 3 times as much as the macros per pound. When ever I order fertilizers usually the trace fertilizer makes up half of the final price.

I'm not sure why they have magnesium sulfate in there. You can use it, but most people don't need it. Also magnesium sulfate is the same as epsom salts and it would probably be cheaper at the local store. Walmart and target carry it over here, usually around a $1/lb.

 

[mike455555]

what about amounts of each...

and im new to ferts...(dont have any at the moment) what are the macro ferts and what are the micro and there chemical symbols?

 

[Mikaila31]

what about amounts of each...

and im new to ferts...(dont have any at the moment) what are the macro ferts and what are the micro and there chemical symbols?

Macro fertilizers are the ones that the plants need the most of, these for any plant are NPK or Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

For nitrogen we commonly use Potassium Nitrate(KNO3). Yes it has some potassium in and sometimes thats all the potassium you need but most usually need more. For adding just potassium you use potassium Sulfate (K2SO4). Then for Phosphates you use mono potassium phosphate (KH2PO4).

Micro or trace fertilizers are what plants need in smaller amounts, similar to vitamins and minerals I guess. Most common one I see used is CSM+B. You can use google to find a full analysis of what is in it.

 

[mike455555]

thank you that cleared alot of things up and i now know what id need =]