I have decided to remake this thread because answers to this will help reefers all over the world: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/culturing-phytoplankton-without-fertilizer.767227/
Guillards F2 Fertilizer is American made. Which means anyone outside of America has to import it. I have been endlessly searching the internet for substitutes to F2 Fert, some say Liquid Plant Fert is the next best thing but can throw off your Reef Parameters [Apparently, I have seen no cases of this in forums]
I'm never going to pay $45 postage on top of the F2 Fert cost. Someone please help me, I want to grow Phyto but I am new to reefing and don't really know the possibilities.
My brain has just been totally affixed on creating a self sustaining Copepod Culture but Guillards F2 absolutely ruins it for it's unavailability and no real information on ANY other option..
Please Do Not Recommend Guillards F2 Fertilizer In This Thread. Not Everyone Lives In Your Country.
Guillards F2 Fertilizer is American made. Which means anyone outside of America has to import it. I have been endlessly searching the internet for substitutes to F2 Fert, some say Liquid Plant Fert is the next best thing but can throw off your Reef Parameters [Apparently, I have seen no cases of this in forums]
I'm never going to pay $45 postage on top of the F2 Fert cost. Someone please help me, I want to grow Phyto but I am new to reefing and don't really know the possibilities.
My brain has just been totally affixed on creating a self sustaining Copepod Culture but Guillards F2 absolutely ruins it for it's unavailability and no real information on ANY other option..
Please Do Not Recommend Guillards F2 Fertilizer In This Thread. Not Everyone Lives In Your Country.
One of the best answers to this thread online I have found so far.
@andrewkw , I'm located in the States, any sources up in Canada?
And no. It's not possible to culture phytoplankton without fertilizer. The phytoplankton we work with are not diazotrophs (take in atmospheric N2 nitrogen), and thus need nitrogen supplementation as well as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and a couple of other things. You could try culturing with skimmate as a fertilizer, or better, miracle grow liquid fertilizer, but reallyGuillard's F/2 is highly recommended.