Hi Guys...

Talking about trace elements, and in loose ferts... What is that actually?
and i wonder whats CSM+B...i saw most of the forums are posting this, but i still wonder what's that.
Mind to point me the way to leave the darkness?
hehehe

Regards,
John

Trace elements = micronutrients = elements needed for plant growth but in extremely small quantities only. Large amounts will normally cause toxicity. There are normally 6 elements in this group: B (Boron), Fe (iron), Cu (copper), Mn (Manganese), Zn (Zinc), Mo (Molybdenum) although some trace mixes have some other elements as well.

Loose ferts are chemicals like KNO3, KH2PO4, K2SO4 where you can control each nutrient somewhat independently from the rest, something that you cannot do with commercial premixed fertilizers.

CSM is one of the many trace element mixes available. Unfortunately, I have never seen it in Malaysia before. It is very popular because the PMDD formula (one of the first DIY fert formulas) uses CSM as the micro component. CSM+B is the trace mix with Boron.

Most of these trace element mixes were meant for conventional argriculture as well as hydroponic farming. They were never meant for aquarium use but all plants have similar requirements so they work!

I see...
Thank you Ruslan for taking the time to type out and explain it!
Now i get a better idea!

As i know that loose ferts are in powder form...for the N-P-K, in KNO3, KH2PO4 and K2SO4...So what about the trace elements A.K.A micronutrients? Where can we source that? And how to use it? Is it like using the loose ferts by dosing dry or mixing into solutions?
Thanks in advance!

Regards,
John

Dear John,

That is why I started this thread for. Either use commercial micro nutrients (trace elements) like JBL Ferropol, Hagen..errr..see the list in the first post... or use the loose or dry ferts for micro nutrients, but as far as I know, loose ferts for micro nutrients difficult to find here in Malaysia. If can get, then we can figure out how to use it, mixing and dosing it. But right now the best available options for micro nutrients seems to be the commercial ready made micro nutrients.

Best Regards

I See.....
Thanks Nasfish...

Sigh...
WE are so way behind technology....
SIGH..........

Regards,
John

er...actually if you take the effort to look up hydroponics in yellow pages, you'de be able to find everyhing you need.

__________________
So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

The micronutrient is not difficult to find. Wet yr finger and browse thru the yellow pages. All those chemical products are widely used in the vegetable or flower farm. Especially Cameron Highland.

Hi,

Yes it is true, I can browse through the yellow pages for dry chemicals for micro nutrients. But one thing, you have to buy in huge amount and actually to find the exact place to buy is one another thing. I have been searching through this Malaysia Yellow Pages website Malaysia Yellow Pages website and still not able to find one as easy as buying from LFS, yes I can go as far as Muar, Johore to get it but for average hobbyist, this is difficult since everything usually bought from nearby LFS.

Maybe I can buy from you instead. Bought my macros from you Dom, maybe I can buy micro nutrients (trace elements) from you too? If have any, please tell me. Like overseas user, they use Greg Watson's CSM etc, or better yet TMG for micro nutrients. Maybe I can get this too?

Best Regards

ah.....
now i know i'm way behind...
haha...
how silly i am that i didn't know that the farmers are using that too!
*wack head*
argh!

Thats good to hear that we are improving! I mean we as hobbiest, we get to have cheaper alternatives already/sooner or later!

Regards,
John

nasfish, the price you spent in those commecial fert might higher than to get a big pack -25kg KNO3. and yes...i hv the trace element for sale. (read on the buy sell thread)This offer till end of this month. otherwise, the lfs gonna screw me...

difficult to find? not really. just depends on whether you want to go around n find or not. There are few shops in KL, PJ, Seremban selling it.

but then be carefull with those micros... you need to know how to mix them correctly. a bit extra might giving you headache and you gonna grow the algae. As i m giving up using them inside my aquarium. mostly use for my orchids n other flowers.

I believe quality stuff with good QC and giving better result. I can tell you...i seldom go n buy the other brands of fert. And i nvr use those commercial base fert. coz non of them able to make me feel like they are real good to use with.

But then...ADA really giving me shocks. All of their products was tested, run thru lot of experiments, etc. I m feeling lucky coz we got chances to use such a good product. And now, i m buying their product every month. One product per month. muahaha...

I am using their Bacter ball which is the same with Bacter 100. (Bacter 100 is the powder form) My tank water was like the klang river. i was told that is good. So, share half bottle with standoyo... first week dump in 3 pieces. but can't really see the result. But water do stable and no died fish. 2nd week dump in 2 more pieces... and damn. overnight only. i saw the tank water crystal clear. muahaha... can't stop looking at my tank now.