About Vivarium Soils: Can you use Miracle Grow in Vivariums debate

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

I put an abg type substrate in my crested gecko viv. It's the NEHERP brand, I got it from them. I assumed it would have all the necessary components to nourish my plants, but I've had to resort to using fertilizer because the plants just wouldn't grow, not most of them anyway. The snake plants are growing like crazy though. I just started using a liquid tropical houseplant fertilizer by Miracle Gro. The ingredients are just three types of nitrogen and some minerals, nothing that appears nefarious. Any advice? I plan on getting an organic fertilizer but couldn't one of those hurt the microfauna as well? I currently have dwarf isopods and springtails and they don't seem to be negatively affected. I'm not worried about the gecko, as it never hangs out on the substrate nor does it eat any of the plants. The NEHERP substrate looks great and has great components, drains well and retains moisture, so I'm quite disappointed since it isn't alone enough to sustain the plants. Nice reply. That guy sounds like a jerk know-it-all.

[@samf8894]

Since it's from a scientist (and this is such a common argument in the community), this vid or future videos could really do with some explanation of why you feel "chemical" fertilisers are bad. Bearing in mind that of course everything is "a chemical". I'm afraid you really glossed over it here, and this is one of the critical points isn't it?

[@orderanura134]

Is this a common argument? I rarely hear it. I think it’s more a money saving tactic that most abandon after some general logical research. Miracle grow contains a very night nitrogen content for a single purpose. Explosive plant growth. This nitrogen is not derived from natural sources. It is synthetic (I.e. made in s lab). Synthetic fertilizers used in miracle grow are derived from synthetic ammonium and water soluble nitrates, producing off-chemicals that are harmful to soil microbes, worms, and all other forms of life in the soil. Miracle grow is so strong that if used incorrectly, the fertilizer will actually burn the leaves and roots of your plants. Imagine what it could do to sensitive animals such as amphibians. Soil isn’t the only thing miracle grow impacts. Synthetic fertilizers are one of the main causes of water pollution in our country. They can also aid in detrimental algae blooms that can destroy entire ecosystems. Some miracle grow products contain crystals, usually blue in color. This is copper sulfate. Copper sulfate will kill fungi and bacteria. This may sound like a good thing, but it isn’t. These are both beneficial to a naturalistic enclosure. Yes there are exceptions with certain fungi and bacteria in a very rare instant. However copper sulfate is RARELY used in gardening, let alone around amphibians with porous skin. Frogs along with other amphibians and reptiles are NOT domesticated animals. They didn’t ask to be kept in our homes. It should feel like an honor to have such a beautiful piece of nature as part of our daily life. If a hobbyist or potential keeper isn’t willing to go above and beyond to ensure proper husbandry, this isn’t the hobby for them. A bag of ABG with proper micro fauna isn’t that expensive. Thanks Chase for dedicating your valuable time to this topic!

[@jmonahan1]

He may be sort of a self declared "scientist". Normally one does not label themselves as a scientist unless they have gone thru the PhD process and have a doctorate from a Research university. Of course, a "KZbin" scientist is an easier degree to attain :-)

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

I feel the same

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

Growing a tomato plant in a viv?! 😂 😂 😂

[@zxcvbnm33054]

everything you say about Joe is true 👍

[@jmonahan1]

Why did you duck out of our debate? You flaked after just a couple go rounds? I have to assume the back and forth debate style exposed too many of your false assumptions and illogical arguments? Im happy to pick up where we left off if you are willing.

[@houstonfrogs2627]

Well that's a projection if I ever saw one. I never got a reply back from you, so I didn't make another. If you want to continue, have at it and I'll respond