Will Iron help me?

[RioReefer]

My Calupra and Cato is growing like mad. I pull out about a quart-gallon of it a week But dose Iron Help it grow faster or is it not need unless your macro wont grow. If it would make mine grow even faster that would be that many more nutrents I have pullng out. At first I was scared to harvest this much cause I didnt want to loos my pods cause I have manderian and a six line. But since I have been pulling more out I have seen more growing in the main tank and the Refug. So if iron will help to grow faster why not.

[billsreef]

The only why to find out if adding iron will help push growth in your system is to experiment with it. Pick up a small bottle of iron supplement from your LFS and start out with low dosage, than gradually ramp up on a weekly basis and observe the effects. I find a dosage just slightly lower than one that starts promoting excessive diatom growth on the glass to be best in most cases. However, if you system is growing macro's like mad now it might not be iron limited ;)

[Plantbrain]

I'd use Fe DTPA and add about 0.2ppm 2-3x a week (basic: known volume for the tank's volume and the solution's concentration strength you add, NOT TEST KIT RESIDUALS!!).

It'll also help some corals.
Just do not go plumb crazy, you can get a algae bloom in extreme cases.

I've tested that 2x and both times managed to get that, as well as a green water bloom, nothing a UV could not take care of.

But I dosed very high levels(2ppm etc).
I did not try various other ranges.

Generally, most labeled products are good for 5ml per 20 gallon of refugium.

You'll note darker richer green coloration.
Should take about 1-2 weeks to see it.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[sam75]

Ok, I'll hijack (sorry).

If you're running GFO for phosphate removal (which as I understand it is basically rusted iron?). Would there be any need to add an iron suppliment (or would you already have more iron than you need)?

Hmmm... I guess I could just start doesing and find out huh?

thx.
-S

[billsreef]

Not sure what the solubility is of the GFO's being used for phosphate control, but I'd expect they aren't very soluble.

[sam75]

Thanks, good to know!

"We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread..." :p