Terra Aquatica TriPart Micro | Micronutrient and Calcium Base for the 3-Part System

TriPart Micro is the foundation of the Terra Aquatica 3-part nutrient system. Every serious hydroponic grower in Australia using TriPart starts with this bottle. It supplies the calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, and molybdenum that plants need to absorb and utilise the macronutrients delivered by TriPart Grow and Bloom. Without Micro, the other two parts cannot perform. This is always the first bottle added to your reservoir, and it runs the full cycle from seedling through to final flush.

Why TriPart Micro Is Always Added First

The 3-part system is built on a specific chemistry principle: calcium and sulphates cannot coexist in concentrated form without precipitating into locked-out compounds. TriPart Micro contains the calcium. TriPart Grow and Bloom contain the sulphates. By keeping them separate until they are diluted individually in your reservoir, the system maintains 100 percent elemental bioavailability at all times. Nothing locks out, nothing precipitates, nothing is wasted.

This is why professional growers and licensed commercial horticulturalists have used the TriPart system for over 30 years. The chemistry is sound, the results are consistent, and the flexibility to adjust ratios at every growth stage makes it one of the most versatile nutrient programs available to Australian growers.

Soft Water vs Hard Water Formula - Which One Do You Need?

TriPart Micro is available in two formulations designed for different Australian water supplies.

The Soft Water formula is for source water with low mineral content, typically an EC below 0.4 mS/cm. This covers most Melbourne, Sydney, and south-east Queensland tap water. It adds supplemental calcium and magnesium to compensate for the low baseline mineral content in softer source water.

The Hard Water formula is for source water with higher mineral content, typically EC above 0.4 mS/cm. This is common in Adelaide, parts of regional Western Australia, and areas supplied by bore water. Calcium levels are adjusted downward to prevent over-supplementation and the nutrient imbalances that result from stacking high-calcium tap water with a calcium-rich soft water formula.

If you are unsure which applies to your local water, the soft water version is the safe default for most Australian growing areas. Your local water authority publishes EC and hardness data online for most metropolitan supply zones.

How to Use TriPart Micro

Add TriPart Micro to your reservoir water first, before Grow or Bloom. This mixing order is not optional. Adding Micro after other concentrated nutrient sources can cause immediate precipitation and nutrient lockout that cannot be reversed. Fill your reservoir with water, add Micro and stir thoroughly, then add Grow and stir, then add Bloom and stir. Check and adjust pH after mixing to your target range.

Typical ratios from the Terra Aquatica feed chart, per 10 litres of water:

Seedling and clone: 4ml Micro + 1ml Grow + 1ml Bloom
Vegetative: 3ml Micro + 3ml Grow + 1ml Bloom
Early flower: 3ml Micro + 2ml Grow + 3ml Bloom
Peak flower: 3ml Micro + 1ml Grow + 5ml Bloom

Start at the lower end of the EC range and build up as plants establish. Always calibrate your EC and pH meter before mixing. The Bluelab Combo Meter measures pH, EC, and temperature in one reading, which removes the guesswork from solution management across all three parts.

Compatible Growing Systems

TriPart Micro works across all hydroponic and growing media types including DWC, NFT, recirculating drip, ebb and flood, coco coir run-to-waste, and hand-watered soil and soilless mixes. It is the most widely used 3-part micronutrient base in professional Australian horticulture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use TriPart Micro without Grow and Bloom? No. Micro is one component of a 3-part system and is designed to be used with TriPart Grow and Bloom. It does not contain the full macronutrient profile plants need on its own.

Is Terra Aquatica TriPart the same as General Hydroponics Flora Series? Yes. Terra Aquatica was the European arm of General Hydroponics and later became an independent brand using the same core formulation principles. TriPart Micro maps directly to Flora Micro. Feed charts from either brand can be used interchangeably as a starting point.

What is the difference between TriPart Micro and NovaMax? TriPart is a 3-part system that gives you precise ratio control at each growth stage. NovaMax is a 2-part system designed for simpler feeding schedules. TriPart suits growers who want maximum control. NovaMax suits growers who want simplicity.