Re: Microplex

["James Purchase" <jppurchase at rogers_com>]

Matt asked about using Microplex as a substitute for TMG.

You cannot "duplicate" TMG exactly using Microplex but you can get pretty
close.

Here is a comparison of "the numbers" (I got the TMG details from the KRIB).
I list 2 colums for Microplex - the "full strength" figures you quoted and
1/50th of that amount.

    | Microplex  |  | TMG  |
	FS    1/50
K  - 0               0.79%
Mg - 5.4%	0.108    0.39%
S  - 0               1.01%
Bo - 0.5%   0.01     0.004%
Co - 0.05%  0.001    0
Cu - 1.5%   0.03     0.006%
Fe - 4.0%   0.08     0.07%
Mn - 4.0%   0.08     0.04%
Mo - 0.1%   0.002    0.002%
Zn - 1.5%   0.03     0.02%

You used "Mb" as one of the constituents of Microplex - I assume this is a
typo, as there isn't any element with that symbol - did you mean "Mo"
(Molybdenum)?

The 2nd column is the percentage composition at 1/50th the concentration of
the dry chemical. The micronutrients match up pretty well, the only things
that might be in excess are Copper and possibly Boron. Be aware that if you
overdose this stuff to get, for example, a Fe level of 1.0 ppm, (as I have
seen recommended for high light tanks) you might be adding way too much Cu
to your tank, but if you dose to achieve 0.1 ppm Fe, you ought to be fine.

The presence (or absence) of macronutrients such as K, Mg and S in a
"micronutrient mix" is immaterial, as presumably you are adding these things
in larger quantities from other sources. Cobalt is only necessary for
legumes, so TMG isn't "lacking" in not having any.

Looks doable - I'll leave to do the rest of the math ;-).

James Purchase
Toronto