iron for macro-algae

[boxfishpooalot]

Randy, wich supplement should I buy to dose iron to my macro-algae?

Even a chemical I can get.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I make my own as described here:

First Iron Article: Macroalgae and Dosing Recommendations
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/chem.htm


Kent's iron supplement (also has manganese) and Seachem's ferrous gluconate are both probably OK.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

"The preferred solution ratio of iron to phosphorus is between 1:100 and 1:1250 for coastal species of phytoplankton, and about 1:10,000 for open ocean species, suggesting that the open ocean species have developed better mechanisms for collecting and/or using iron"

Does that mean that iron lower than 1:100 becomes limiting, or anything over that is not preffered?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Not necessarily. What is limiting depends on the concentrations, and not just the ratios. Concentrations in aqauria can be far different than in seawater.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

How can I use that fact to my advantage? If there is any usefullness to it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't think the amount of iron dosed is critical. As long as it is not limiting, there is no advantage to adding more.

 

[wet reefer]

Randy can you be a little more specific on your home made suppliment?
thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The article gives details. Do you mean more than that?

 

[wet reefer]

I went back and reread the article. Didnt see the part about the chemicals not being readily available. Thanks anyway.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

FWIW, the commercial iron additives are pretty inexpensive as you use so little.

You can buy my exact recipe here, I think, for less than $10:

http://billsreef.safeshopper.com/35/cat35.htm?455