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 | A rather strange method of iron supplement |
Ironhand74   Hobbyist Posts: 95 Kudos: 69 Votes: 295 Registered: 11-Aug-2007   | I've been reading up on plant care in several books and other publications here and there, I have now seen this statement in 3 different "articles" that a method of introducing iron in a slow release manor, is by placing a paper clip in the filter box ( assuming that the authors meant to include as far away from the pump impellers as possible). I understand the concept of letting the paperclip rust, thus releasing iron oxides and a few other minerals used in the chroming process ( a few of which are trace elements), I just wonder if any of you have ever heard of/ tried this ?? |
 Posted 04-Dec-2007 00:36 |     |
FRANK      Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002  |  Edited by FRANKI've heard of everything from nails to paper clips. Personally I would never do that. The iron necessary for plants to thrive is too easily obtained, in the correct dosage, by using any of the plant supplements such as Flourish, or Tetra, or the dozen other manufacturers. It's available in tablets, pills, balls, or liquid, and easy to figure the correct dosage for the capacity of your tank. Or, you can use a substrate of 100% Sea-Chem Flourite, or you can do a "la of Laterite about an inch and a half thick covering the entire bottom of the tank, and then cap that with a la As with the old remedy of adding copper pennies to a filter for Ich treatment, there is no way to know how many nails or paper clips will = the correct amount of the DESIRED iron. As they rust they will release Iron, but some of it will simply be pollution, and a small amount of it will be something the plants can use. There is just no way to know how many #6 nails or jumbo staples will affect the water. Nor is there any way to know how many pennies will raise the copper level in the aquarium to the right saturation to kill off Ich. Use the correct medications, and the correct fertilizers. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Frank  -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
| Posted 04-Dec-2007 02:01 |  |
| Ironhand74 Hobbyist Posts: 95 Kudos: 69 Votes: 295 Registered: 11-Aug-2007 | Neither would I, I read this and had a good laugh, funny thing about pennies... nowdays (US pennies) are copper clad, ba Thanks for the heads-up Frank !! |
| Posted 04-Dec-2007 02:40 | |
keithgh   *Ultimate Fish Guru* Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003   | Old steel nails etc was a very common thing to use around lemon trees. Many things are spread under garden plants to start them off. Lambs liver is often used when planting some fruit vines, as it breaks down it acts as a fertilizer. Now that is totally different to a fish tank. Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith  Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?  VOTE NOW VOTE NOW |
| Posted 04-Dec-2007 04:45 | |
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