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#1
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proper testing for FE
I just want to make sure I understand Iron in the planted tank corretly.
When testing for FE, I should be testing for chelated iron, correct? The non-chelated form of iron is not as easily used by plants, correct? I have the Hagen FE test kit that has the liquid and the powder. The powder is used with the drops when testing for chelated iron. Every since I've had this tank, I never get a reading for iron. I started PMDD 3 days ago, so I hope this will bring my iron levels up to .1 ppm. I had been using SeaChem's Iron supplement before. I also have 100% Florite for a substrate. Are there any other test kits for iron that might be better than the Hagen one? thanks. |
#2
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proper testing for FE
"SlimFlem" wrote in message news:pMqya.653616$OV.615899@rwcrnsc54...
I just want to make sure I understand Iron in the planted tank corretly. When testing for FE, I should be testing for chelated iron, correct? The non-chelated form of iron is not as easily used by plants, correct? I have the Hagen FE test kit that has the liquid and the powder. The powder is used with the drops when testing for chelated iron. Every since I've had this tank, I never get a reading for iron. I started PMDD 3 days ago, so I hope this will bring my iron levels up to .1 ppm. I had been using SeaChem's Iron supplement before. I also have 100% Florite for a substrate. Are there any other test kits for iron that might be better than the Hagen one? No, but this will help you get a better handle on iron in a planted aquarium. I have not found a test kit that works well. My advice is to stop worrying or attempting to maintain some residual level. This is likely more than you wanted to know but I don;t think you'll find this path of testing and trying to maintain 0.1ppm of Fe very fruitful. This residual concept was arbitrarily set at 0.1ppm for a low light(less than 2w/gal of NO FL lighting) moderately low CO2(10-15ppm) tank and limited PO4. But why would try and limit two things? If PO4 is limiting algae growth, then why would one limit the algae with Fe as well? How is it that I have 1.0ppm of PO4 and add it 3x a week and also add 5mls every 2-3 days of Flourish, or TMG etc to a 20 gallon tank with no algae? I can double each of these levels without algae also. Adding more did not increase plant growth more but it did not hurt either. When it stops improving the growth and health, then you back off and have found the optimal amount. More on it: http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.c...2&m=8546016682 Regards, Tom Barr |
#3
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proper testing for FE
LeighMo, if you are reading this thread, how do you go about monitoring Iron
levels, if at all? I was essentially quoting The Krib when I was mentioning the .1ppm of Iron when using PMDD. This came from their PMDD dosing page. When it stops improving the growth and health, then you back off and have found the optimal amount. Tom, so, do you just watch your plants and add enough iron to prevent yellow-ing of the leaves? What is your measuring factor to determine when plant growth and health stops improving? This residual concept was arbitrarily set at 0.1ppm for a low light(less than 2w/gal of NO FL lighting) moderately low CO2(10-15ppm) tank and limited PO4. well, this is for sure not the case in my tank. I have about 3.5w/gal, plenty of phosphate, and do inject CO2. However my CO2 levels are still coming up since I just started my CO2 just under a week ago. " wrote in message m... "SlimFlem" wrote in message news:pMqya.653616$OV.615899@rwcrnsc54... I just want to make sure I understand Iron in the planted tank corretly. When testing for FE, I should be testing for chelated iron, correct? The non-chelated form of iron is not as easily used by plants, correct? I have the Hagen FE test kit that has the liquid and the powder. The powder is used with the drops when testing for chelated iron. Every since I've had this tank, I never get a reading for iron. I started PMDD 3 days ago, so I hope this will bring my iron levels up to .1 ppm. I had been using SeaChem's Iron supplement before. I also have 100% Florite for a substrate. Are there any other test kits for iron that might be better than the Hagen one? No, but this will help you get a better handle on iron in a planted aquarium. I have not found a test kit that works well. My advice is to stop worrying or attempting to maintain some residual level. This is likely more than you wanted to know but I don;t think you'll find this path of testing and trying to maintain 0.1ppm of Fe very fruitful. This residual concept was arbitrarily set at 0.1ppm for a low light(less than 2w/gal of NO FL lighting) moderately low CO2(10-15ppm) tank and limited PO4. But why would try and limit two things? If PO4 is limiting algae growth, then why would one limit the algae with Fe as well? How is it that I have 1.0ppm of PO4 and add it 3x a week and also add 5mls every 2-3 days of Flourish, or TMG etc to a 20 gallon tank with no algae? I can double each of these levels without algae also. Adding more did not increase plant growth more but it did not hurt either. When it stops improving the growth and health, then you back off and have found the optimal amount. More on it: http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.c...12&f=915602079 2&m=8546016682 Regards, Tom Barr |
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