Iron supplementation

[christa]

I am still learning about keeping macro. I have caulerpa in my fuge (which has had some big die off for some reason) and I just added some chaeto. Do I need iron supplements? Are these two compatible together? Thanks for the help.

 

[Plantbrain]

They are fine together.
Fe additions have a few issues. Most use ETDA as chelator, that has a optimal pH of about 6.0. Not good for marine systems.

Adding Fe with a good chelator with pH ranges from 7.5-9.0 or so is wise. You will get a lot more out of it.
The other stuff precitates out and never makes it to the plants.

Adding it will help increase growth and help with colors also. Deep green etc. Try to add little amounts at leats 3x a week.

Note, this will also help the corals and the other algae.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[christa]

Do I need to test water for Fe when I dose it? Thanks for the help!

 

[Plantbrain]

No, you can estimate the Fe level via dosing however.

It preciptates and is removed rapidly, and there is little corrleation between growth and ppm's, and the test kits do not measure bioavailable Fe.

Quiet a few issues really.
But the ppms are not long lasting so it really depends on how long after you dose that you take the measurent.

Basically a residual ppm reading is not going to be of much help.
Dosing several times a week will relieve Fe limitation.
How much?

Maybe 0.1ppm 3-4x a week ought to do.
Depends on what type of chelator though.
DTPA chelator is much stronger and longer lasting.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[christa]

Thanks for your help Tom! I will do that!

 

[lilchris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10371012#post10371012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Plantbrain
They are fine together.
Fe additions have a few issues. Most use ETDA as chelator, that has a optimal pH of about 6.0. Not good for marine systems.

Adding Fe with a good chelator with pH ranges from 7.5-9.0 or so is wise. You will get a lot more out of it.
The other stuff precitates out and never makes it to the plants.


Adding it will help increase growth and help with colors also. Deep green etc. Try to add little amounts at leats 3x a week.

Note, this will also help the corals and the other algae.

Regards,
Tom Barr

What is Chelator?

 

[Plantbrain]

Wiki it or google.

Regards,
Tom Barr