Is this iron reef safe?

[aquariusgine]

I’ve attached its certificate.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I can't comment on its safety but will include my observations:

1. The "Other Names" has no mention of zinc, but just above that it states, "IRON EDTA, Zn-15%." Also, there is no mention of zinc in the analysis. What are the chances that iron supplement is similar to needed zinc supplement...approximately 13% iron and 15% zinc.

2. I'm not crazy about the lead content. Natural seawater has lead at parts per trillion. Even considering dilutions, you're still looking at considerable amounts of lead. I looked up Seachem's chelated iron and found their iron concentration in their product at 0,5% iron. I found no info on their lead content.

If it was me and I needed to supplement iron, i'd stick with commercial products.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

2. I'm not crazy about the lead content. Natural seawater has lead at parts per trillion. Even considering dilutions, you're still looking at considerable amounts of lead. I looked up Seachem's chelated iron and found their iron concentration in their product at 0,5% iron. I found no info on their lead content.

If it was me and I needed to supplement iron, i'd stick with commercial products.

That is ppm of the dry product, which one already adds at below ppm levels, pushing lead (if any) super low

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve attached its certificate.

I’m not a super fan of strongly chelated iron since it needs to be chemically broken to be bioavailable, but it is likely ok. Odd product being mixed with zinc.

 

[aquariusgine]

I can't comment on its safety but will include my observations:

1. The "Other Names" has no mention of zinc, but just above that it states, "IRON EDTA, Zn-15%." Also, there is no mention of zinc in the analysis. What are the chances that iron supplement is similar to needed zinc supplement...approximately 13% iron and 15% zinc.

2. I'm not crazy about the lead content. Natural seawater has lead at parts to trillion. Even considering dilutions, you're still looking at considerable amounts of lead. I looked up Seachem's chelated iron and found their iron concentration in their product at 0,5% iron. I found no info on their lead content.

If it was me and I needed to supplement iron, i'd stick with commercial products.

I just saw on their website that it’s safe for freshwater aquaria. Not sure if it can be trusted. I'll message them about the Zinc. But it's 15% zinc, wouldn't that make it completely unsuitable for a reef tank?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just saw on their website that it’s safe for freshwater aquaria. Not sure if it can be trusted. I'll message them about the Zinc. But it's 15% zinc, wouldn't that make it completely unsuitable for a reef tank?

No necessarily unsuitable, but odd. I would add an iron only supplement without measuring. I would not add a zinc supplement without measuring.

 

[EnterName]

I would not add a zinc supplement without measuring.

Especially when there already is 46.6µg/L Zn in the tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Especially when there already is 46.6µg/L Zn in the tank

Good point. lol

 

[aquariusgine]

I’m not a super fan of strongly chelated iron since it needs to be chemically broken to be bioavailable, but it is likely ok. Odd product being mixed with zinc.

I tried Seachem Flourish Iron yesterday and as expected, the Botryocladia macroalgae produced a different form. It’s fatter and double the size of what it usually is.

It did the same thing and was double the size when I used it months ago (the entire macroalgae).

In the image is the new growth overnight.

I also tested iron levels with Seachem’s recommend dose and it was 3-4x higher than what was expected. After dosing, iron was at 0.35 ppm, dropped to 0.1ppm in the evening and 0 ppm the next day.

Today I dosed much less and there was no cloudiness (which was one of the problems) so I think I’ll switch to ferrous iron, or use a mix. I think to maintain 0.1ppm without a big spike, I should dose twice a day.

Currently, my only concern is that there is something extra in Flourish Iron other than pure ferrous gluconate, do you think they would have a reason to include anything? If not I’d like to keep using it as it’s very cost effective.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My guess is that the higher iron concentration caused the growth, rather than a different ingredient, but I cannot be sure. I doubt they intentionally add anything else.