Has anyone ever made their own iron supplement using the chemicals referenced in Randy's first iron article (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/chem.htm)? I think I've located the ferrous sulfate heptahydrate and the of sodium citrate dihydrate. Or, has anyone ever made a supplement from other chemicals, like maybe sodium feredetate?
DIY Iron Supplement?
- Thread starter radiata
- Start date
Well, I have many times 
, but I've recently gone to recommending a DIY using Fergon tablets from the drug store:
Take 1 tablet and dissolve in 100 mL RO/DI (overnight soak). Let the solids settle out and use the liquid. Then I dose about 1-5 mL to my 200 gallons (dose is not critical) occasionally.
, but I've recently gone to recommending a DIY using Fergon tablets from the drug store:Take 1 tablet and dissolve in 100 mL RO/DI (overnight soak). Let the solids settle out and use the liquid. Then I dose about 1-5 mL to my 200 gallons (dose is not critical) occasionally.
Nope, just a cheap iron supplement. Look for that brand, however, as some ferrous gluconate supplements may have undesirable ingredients to allow tablet formation. 
HighlandReefer
Team RC
The Fergon tablets when dissolved in rodi water do contain some organics, which can allow bacterial growth if contaminated. IME, I did get bacterial growth after about a month of storage at room temperature. I would make up small batches with perhaps 1/2 a tablet, since it does not take much to dose every week. If you see bacterial growth, I would dispose it. Keeping the mixed solution in the refrigerator will help retard bacterial growth, but will not stop it completely. 
Randy has stated that he did not get any bacterial growth when mixed. Using a sterile container and sterile rodi water will help along with protecting the tablets from bacterial contamination.
Randy has stated that he did not get any bacterial growth when mixed. Using a sterile container and sterile rodi water will help along with protecting the tablets from bacterial contamination.
I tried the Fergon, but have gone back to 1/2 gallon Kent iron jugs simply because of ease of use. I went through 2 jars of Fergon, but I needed to order it through the internet because no local stores carry it. And, just for a little heresy... I wound up putting the tablets directly into felt filter bags in my sumps with no apparent issues, not even any green residue. I have a decent amount of water, so you may want to cut the tablets if you try this. (I was using up to 10 tablets weekly to maintain the iron level between .01 and .05 ppm.)
Matt_Wandell
New member
I make the ferrous sulfate + sodium citrate solution.
Dumb question: Does it matter if I make a sodium citrate solution and then add the ferrous sulfate, or vice versa? I vaguely recall someone mentioning the order the salts are dissolved in matters, but that sounds a bit hokey to me.
Anyway, enough salt for about 100 years worth of iron dosing on a typical tank cost me about $100.
Dumb question: Does it matter if I make a sodium citrate solution and then add the ferrous sulfate, or vice versa? I vaguely recall someone mentioning the order the salts are dissolved in matters, but that sounds a bit hokey to me.
Anyway, enough salt for about 100 years worth of iron dosing on a typical tank cost me about $100.
I would only dose iron if you grow macroalgae. It does not usually cause an algae bloom, but in some circumstances it might.
Tropicmoneypit
New member
I know this is fairly old, but I googled pure iron powder because I have a fairly large system and the tablets are pretty expensive where I live. Anyways when I googled pure iron powder, the first one that came up was from thechemicalstore and I was wondering if this would be alright to use.
Ferrous Gluconate
Ferrous Gluconate
I've been dosing ferrous gluconate dissolved in distilled water. I had been using Seachem's Flourish (tm) iron supplement - the analysis on the bottle is 1% water soluble iron derived from ferrous gluconate.
I bought the ferrous gluconate from PureBulk.com for $28.25 for 500g. I've been using it for six months with no issues. (I test for Fe with a LaMotte Smart 2 colorimeter.) PureBulk sells this as a dietary supplement for humans, and was hesitant to sell it to me as one could easily overdose with it (the "serving size" is just 130 milligrams - 3846 servings in the container). I convinced them it was only for growing macroalgae, and they were OK with that.
Ferrous Gluconate
I've been dosing ferrous gluconate dissolved in distilled water. I had been using Seachem's Flourish (tm) iron supplement - the analysis on the bottle is 1% water soluble iron derived from ferrous gluconate.
I bought the ferrous gluconate from PureBulk.com for $28.25 for 500g. I've been using it for six months with no issues. (I test for Fe with a LaMotte Smart 2 colorimeter.) PureBulk sells this as a dietary supplement for humans, and was hesitant to sell it to me as one could easily overdose with it (the "serving size" is just 130 milligrams - 3846 servings in the container). I convinced them it was only for growing macroalgae, and they were OK with that.
[welcome]
I'd go with a chelated form of iron. Actual powdered iron would be very reactive in saltwater, and likely wouldn't work all that well. The gluconate might add some alkalinity, but it might be okay.
This article has a DIY formula:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/8/chemistry
I'd go with a chelated form of iron. Actual powdered iron would be very reactive in saltwater, and likely wouldn't work all that well. The gluconate might add some alkalinity, but it might be okay.
This article has a DIY formula:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/8/chemistry
BTW, the ingredients for Randy's DIY formula above are available here. I just did a search and this seems to be the most affordable. Just placed an order myself: http://www.chemicalstore.com/ (I have no affiliation with them except as a customer)
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Tropicmoneypit
New member
Ive been looking on the net but cant seem to find any chelated iron powder. I tried ferrous gluconate pills crushed up but there is a lot of solids left so I didnt want to use it. Im trying to get powder due to less additives and binders. When I google chelated iron it comes up with fertilizers which i belive hase zinc, copper, mag, potassium and a few other metals and adds in it. Im thinking the ferrouse gloconate powder from purebulk might be the best bet. I will also be dosing potassium chloride (also from purebulk) later once I get more sps if that makes a difference which iron I use.
wolfoholic
New member
I believe chelation only occurs in solution
So you are saying if I dose my iron carbonyl it could chelate with carbonyl to form pentacarbonyl again?
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wolfoholic
New member
None of the ingredients in your pills have phosphates do they? Just checking.
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