Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

[jonathan11]

I wanted to get an opinion on which type of trace fertilizer people prefer. I've used TMG and CSM+B. Lately, with a slightly different fert regimen, I've had very good results with TMG. Tom mentioned he used it, but didn't say why he preferred it. I've used CSM+B, can't beat the price-however, I seemed to have a yellowish appearance to the tank water. I've heard of using a combo of various ones, wondered if anyone has used that idea and what were the results. Finally, the best place to purchase TMG?-to date, Big Al's is the best place that I've found.
Thx in advance,

Walter :gw

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

Some have used CMS and TMG on alternating days etc, this gives you 2x the TMG use for the cheap cost of CMS.

I think TMG has a nicer sheen on many plant's leaves, it's subtle, I like the color, the over all health over time, it takes no less than 3-4 weeks of optimized conditions to really note trace distinctions.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[quenton]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

Some have used CSM and TMG on alternating days etc, this gives you 2x the TMG use for the cheap cost of CSM .

I think TMG has a nicer sheen on many plant's leaves, it's subtle, I like the color, the over all health over time, it takes no less than 3-4 weeks of optimized conditions to really note trace distinctions.


Regards,
Tom Barr

If I look at the CSM +B vs TMG contents as listed on the package, other than S which TMG contains (also K and Mg which I dose anyway), I don't see much difference.

CSM+B is about $0.15 per week -- I just priced TMG here (Ontario) and its $1.50 per week.

Do you have an analysis of why you like TMG better, or more of a "when I use it I get better results" analysis??

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

It's subtle, the main difference is the chelator.
DTPH vs ETDA, one has a better pH optimum and stays in solution pretty well, the contents of a trace will be similar in most cases, the ratios of traces mixed in are somewhat different.

That plus the small relative amounts needed, make it very hard to say one trace is better than another. I know I and others have fewer trace issues using TMG vs other brands and the over all look is nicer, many folks over the years have said this but it's just a subtle thing.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[quenton]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

It's subtle, the main difference is the chelator.
DTPH vs ETDA, one has a better pH optimum and stays in solution pretty well, the contents of a trace will be similar in most cases, the ratios of traces mixed in are somewhat different.

That plus the small relative amounts needed, make it very hard to say one trace is better than another. I know I and others have fewer trace issues using TMG vs other brands and the over all look is nicer, many folks over the years have said this but it's just a subtle thing.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Darn -- I saw that in the specs -- hoped is was not that. OK, at least I have now found that Big-Als Canada is stocking it.

Thanks tom.

 

[jonathan11]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

Just a note-Big Al's will get the 5L bottle around April 26th, or so I was told :gw

 

[quenton]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

Just a note-Big Al's will get the 5L bottle around April 26th, or so I was told :gw

Darn -- just got the 500ml today -- oh well - it should last for a bit anyway,
thanks.

 

[GroenSpook]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

In the original info around the Sears-Conlin paper the TE mix used was Plant-Prod® Chelated Micronutrient Mix.

In Canada it is fairly easy to obtain through hydroponics outlets. It supposedly uses both EDTA and DTPA. It also already comes with Boron in the mix.

Would this give an effect more like what you would get with TMG?

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Flourish Trace, Tropica Master Grow (TMG), CSM+B

A mix is nice in some respects because it allows slower release in two phases of chelating energy. this means the one chelator last longer,m but it is harder to removed by plants, the other is easier to utlilize but does not lasst as long.

Some have added SeaChem Fe, which is a very weak chelator complex and TMG.

But then you have tons of Fe, but not the other trace nutrients.........so you waste some of the Fe this way, but it can make the plants look a little better I suppose.

We have not really seen much effect from this here locally. Many added 1-2mls of SC Fe2x a week to be "sexy", but no one was ever sure it was really doing much.

The other traces are often not chelatored with the different chelators though, they tend to be ETDA for the rest of the trace metals.

regards,
Tom Barr