Rusting Metal As Iron Supplement?

[reefs4lifee]

Hey guys, I know this may sound like an odd question but I feel like it may be something worth testing if it hasn't been tested yet. So yesterday I was cleaning my chaeto and in the middle of it I found a rusting screw. I must have accidentally dropped it in there while doing some work on the tank. Now I know this is probably not the safest thing to do, however, wouldn't this be considered iron dosing? I mean if it's safe or if something else can be used, such as a purer form of metal rather than an everyday screw, wouldn't it work as timed-release form of iron dosing? If it has been tried before I would love to see some documentation but if it hasn't would anyone think this is something worth trying? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Fortunato.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

As mentioned in the other thread, the big concern as that all commercial materials like screws contain lots of metals other than iron, and many are toxic. A relatively pure iron item could be useful, but is likely going to be harder to find than an inexpensive iron supplement (such as Fergon tablets from the local drug store).

 

[apexkeeper]

I agree with randy, It's practically impossible to find "pure" iron in industrial products. It almost always has alloying elements in it like nickle, zinc, copper, carbon, silicon, sulfur etc and alot of other things you wouldn't want in your tank. Not worth the risk in my opinion when iron supplements are readily available.