Fe - how much do you add?

[Larry]

Got a phosphate kit and Fe kit. Phosphates were ok. Iron was not
registering even though I put in 15 ml of "Plant Zone" yesterday. My
Swords are looking a bit worn down.

For those who have fully planted tanks, how much do you add weekly?

Looks like I might have to add it more than once weekly(as bottle
suggests). I have small/med gravel so maybe that means I'll have to
add it more than if I had an other substrate.

Your thoughts and advice appreciated.

Larry

[Elaine T]

Larry wrote:
> Got a phosphate kit and Fe kit. Phosphates were ok. Iron was not
> registering even though I put in 15 ml of "Plant Zone" yesterday. My
> Swords are looking a bit worn down.
>
> For those who have fully planted tanks, how much do you add weekly?
>
> Looks like I might have to add it more than once weekly(as bottle
> suggests). I have small/med gravel so maybe that means I'll have to
> add it more than if I had an other substrate.
>
> Your thoughts and advice appreciated.
>
> Larry

Enough to bring iron levels to 0.2 ppm for flourite tanks and between
0.2-0.5 ppm for gravel bottom tanks, depending on what plants you have.
Red plants, swords and crypts need more. For me, the bottle dose is
usually enough because I'm not running super-high light or CO2. Are you
sure your test kit meaures chelated iron (the kind in fertilizers) and
not only free iron?

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Larry]

>Enough to bring iron levels to 0.2 ppm for flourite tanks and between
>0.2-0.5 ppm for gravel bottom tanks, depending on what plants you have.
> Red plants, swords and crypts need more. For me, the bottle dose is
>usually enough because I'm not running super-high light or CO2. Are you
>sure your test kit meaures chelated iron (the kind in fertilizers) and
>not only free iron?

Hi Elaine,

The kit does measure both. I hate to admit it but I did the test
incorrectly. I did the guy thing(as my other half would say) and
skimmed the instructions. I left the test tube for 30s and read it.
Instructions said wait 30 MINUTES. DUHHHH!

Anyway I have iron in my tank now!! Did a partial water change after
I realized my error.

With the added iron, high light, water changes and liquid CO2 my tank
is slowly becoming a jungle. I also gave my SAE's and pleco a raise in
pay and they are working harder ;-}

Think I'm winning the battle with algae(knock on wood) Now I have to
get my scissors going.

Larry