Iron test question (ColinT's answer would be appreciated)

connorlindeman · Jun 21, 2022

I just got an iron test and accidentally put in a little too much of the second solution. Will this fudge the results? I know that @Colin_T used this test so if you could answer I would appreciate it

this is the kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00178NH6S/?tag=ff0d01-20

Colin_T · Jun 21, 2022

I don't recall the test kit having 2 reagents. Maybe it did, been a few years since I used one. But if you put 1 extra drop in it probably won't affect the results. If you put 5 or 10 more drops it, then dump the sample and do another test.

You want iron (Fe) levels at 1ppm (1 mg/l)

Fishmanic · Jun 21, 2022

The kit has enough for 75 tests. To be sure, just redo test.

itiwhetu · Jun 22, 2022

just out of interest why are you testing for iron?

Colin_T · Jun 22, 2022

itiwhetu said:
just out of interest why are you testing for iron?

plants like iron, so they can grow big and strong and show off to the female plants with their big flexy muscles

itiwhetu · Jun 22, 2022

Colin_T said:
plants like iron, so they can grow big and strong and show off to the female plants with their big flexy muscles

I have never tested for iron and my plants just grow, with light and some fish poo.

itiwhetu · Jun 22, 2022

Sometimes I think we over think this game of fish keeping, really it is just an exercise of water add fish and plants and leave it alone.

connorlindeman · Jun 22, 2022

itiwhetu said:
just out of interest why are you testing for iron?

M testing for iron so that my plants can grow as fast as possible. My shop on etsy is selling more than usually and I'm running low on stock.

connorlindeman · Jun 22, 2022

Colin_T said:
I don't recall the test kit having 2 reagents. Maybe it did, been a few years since I used one. But if you put 1 extra drop in it probably won't affect the results. If you put 5 or 10 more drops it, then dump the sample and do another test.

You want iron (Fe) levels at 1ppm (1 mg/l)

It does have two regents. A powder and a liquid. Last nights nest read 0. I added some iron and now it reads .5 mg/l. I just added some more iron and this should bring it up to 1 mg/l

Colin_T · Jun 22, 2022

When you first start using fertilisers (including iron), the plants might use it all up in a few days. This is normal and they are simply replacing what they need and building up reserves. Once they have had sufficient fertiliser for a period of time, they don't use it as quickly.

You should monitor it each day or every couple of days for the first few weeks and top up the levels as required. After a few weeks you might only need to check the levels once or twice a week.

connorlindeman · Jun 22, 2022

Colin_T said:
When you first start using fertilisers (including iron), the plants might use it all up in a few days. This is normal and they are simply replacing what they need and building up reserves. Once they have had sufficient fertiliser for a period of time, they don't use it as quickly.

You should monitor it each day or every couple of days for the first few weeks and top up the levels as required. After a few weeks you might only need to check the levels once or twice a week.

ok thanks