Miracle-Gro agar and Algae growth media

I created new algae growth media and agar per instructions in the YouTube videos in my last post.

The first video is for Simple Miracle Grow Isolation Media -   

summary -

 Published on Aug 15, 2013
This is a cheap but effective alternative for creating an isolation medium.
This medium deters bacterial and fungal growth. Keep in mind, this medium
also will deter the growth of some species of algae as it will not provide
the ideal growing habitat.



MiracleGro -  nkp = 24-8-16 + micronutrients


1 tbsp per gallon - appx 9grams Miracle Grow
1 Gallon Filtered Water - dechlorinated

Use PH up - base - appx 8ml potasium Hydroxid - bring to 7.0 Neutral



The second video - How to Isolate Algae - 

Published on Aug 15, 2013
This method allows you to isolate different algae species.
The growth medium resists bacteria and fungal growth (yeah).
Keep in mind there are millions of different species of green algae.
While a lot of them have similar requirements this media will not
allow them to all grow. That is, not only will this media prevent
bacteria and fungus from growing it will also stop some of your
algae from growing. That said, it is still a great way to isolate
large diverse populations of algae. You will probably have to repeat
the isolation step as it is unlikely you will get nicely separated
colonies on your first try.


7.5 g agar
500 ml miracle grow separation media

microwave to boiling

pour agar into petri dishes

Here are my results!! The Agar turned out very firm compared to the previous soil based recipe.

Well see what results i get .......with it and my improvements to my incubator - see next post.

Miracle growth media - before adjusting the ph

Purchased API ph deluxe kit from Petco.

checked the ph - QUESTION - IF THE LIQUID YOU ARE TESTING IS ALREADY COLORED - GREEN IN THIS CASE - DOES THAT EFFECT THE RESULTS OF THE COLOR BASED PH TEST??

The results showed acidic results - adjusted with PH UPto get close to neutral.

Ended up with a blue liquid growth media - it started out green and changed to blue when I added PH UP.

Followed recipe for agar and heated in microwave till boiling - 

and poured into petri dishes - 

FRESH new agar petri dishes and no where to put them - WARM - 

My next post I will show what improvements I did to the incubator................