Measuring Or Calculating Fe

[mibson]

I am not confident with my FE tests. Does anyone know now to do the calculations for adding FE to a tank? I do have tests that I dont trust. I like the generalizations available for adding ferts based on tank size - for eg add 5g of Potassium nitrite per 80g (just an eg-numbers not exact). I need to get an idea of how much FE chelate to add to my 55g and 90g planted tanks with co2 each week..

Thanks so much

 

[Themuleous]

FE tests are probably the most inaccurate of them all. Ive never used one and don't intend to.

You have two options.

Option 1 - run the ferts, which will include the iron, according to the EI principle. You cant really overdose iron or the rest so this method would ensure you have plenty of iron in the tank.

Option 2 - set a dose rate and run it for a few weeks, then if the plants show signs of iron deficiency double the rate and see how things go.

Sam