Local source for dry fertilizer?

[mn355]

I'm interested in starting to use the EI method to fert my planted tank. It seems that many are happy users of mail order for the ingredients, but is there a local place to buy the stuff? Preferably in small amounts. Buying a 40 lb bag of the stuff before I know if it will work out for me is kind of silly I think. Just trying to figure out an 'easy' way to get started with this.

KNO3 - Salt Peter right? Think I've seen that in small quantities, but I sure can't remember where.
KH2P04 - Non-sodium water softener stuff? Don't want huge bags of it, any other way?
Trace Elements - SeaChem Flourish (liquid I know, but maybe a way to start)?

Any info appreciated, thanks.

[sendthis]

I actually asked this question a while back... I think most people order it online.

You might try the hydroponics stores. There's one near my house in Dayton. Can't remember where or the name, but we pass it every now and then running errands. I think it used to be a K-mart.

[mn355]

Ah bugger, figured that was going to be the case.

I called a local hydroponic place and they said that they did not carry the raw ingredients. Looks like they do carry a few liquid frets that are much the same thing, but I think I'll end up breaking down and ordering the dry ingredients.

Thanks for the info.

[Pyro]

If you want to go mail order: I've been using http://aquariumfertilizer.com/ without any issues. It looks like http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizer.html might be a bit cheaper though...

I've used both places and never had an issue with either. Nice, small, manageable quantities. A little bit goes a long way with the pure stuff!

[mn355]

Thanks, Green Leaf seems like a good source too. Might give them a try.

[sendthis]

I"m kind of surprised there aren't any farm stores that sell that around here... some of the bulk ingredients can be bought, but it's kind of a pain, by understanding your ingredient and what it's used for though.

For instance, tree stump remover is potassium nitrate. I would have mentioned this earlier, I think someone in another thread or my thread even did. The problem with this is that you really have to be comfortable with reading labels and company MSDS when available. The reason is, there are some products that do the same thing that ARE NOT what you're hoping it to be or the purity might not be at the level that's safe. In fact, I was pretty sure people were going to call the police on me when I asked if they sold 50lb bags of KNO3 and they said no, "What do you plan to do with it?" I want to buy it for my aquarium... lol. I figured

I'm still on the lookout and if you do manage to find somewhere (aka farm supply store) taht sells it I would appreciate the heads up. I went to a few of them but they didn't have it in pure or near-pure form. I didn't think to ask for a special order though, so I might try next time.

[jonathan03]

I'd be careful what you buy if you get it from a nursery/landscaping store. I used ironite because I had plants that needed lots of iron. It's mined from a mountain with traces of arsenic, mercury and all kinds of heavy metals other than what you want. Lawn/flower fertilizers can be a bad mix for the aquarium. I would look for a chemistry supply store or science related source. Thats the best chance of knowing what you're getting is pure.

It also makes sense to team up with people the forum and group buy. You need such a small amound of fertilizer at a time.