Fergon and Ethanol

[rushbattle]

Hi there Randy, and others!

One more hopefully quick question, this time about Fergon iron dosing. I am about to make my iron dosing solution, and I was wondering if I could put some ethanol into solution as a preservative, and perhaps some ascorbic acid to prevent oxidation. Perhaps 10% ethanol by volume? Hows this for a recipe:

150ml RODI
50ml 40% ethanol solution (vodka)
2 tablets Fergon
200mg Ascorbic Acid

Do I soak the Fergon in the ethanol mixture or wait to add until after decanting off of the settled solids?

Thanks for the help in advance!!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi there Randy, and others!

One more hopefully quick question, this time about Fergon iron dosing. I am about to make my iron dosing solution, and I was wondering if I could put some ethanol into solution as a preservative, and perhaps some ascorbic acid to prevent oxidation. Perhaps 10% ethanol by volume? Hows this for a recipe:

150ml RODI
50ml 40% ethanol solution (vodka)
2 tablets Fergon
200mg Ascorbic Acid

Do I soak the Fergon in the ethanol mixture or wait to add until after decanting off of the settled solids?

Thanks for the help in advance!!!

Not entirely simple question.

The ascorbate may bind the iron. I'm not sure which is a better chelator for iron, gluconate from the Fergon or ascorbate. That said, it also may not matter which it is.

I cannot be sure which oxidizes faster with O2, Fe++ iron or ascorbate. It might help protect the iron from becoming Fe+++. Or not.

10% ethanol should be fine to add at any stage, but after decanting might be best to avoid solubilizing any more of the "inert" ingredients.

 

[rushbattle]

Not entirely simple question.

The ascorbate may bind the iron. I'm not sure which is a better chelator for iron, gluconate from the Fergon or ascorbate. That said, it also may not matter which it is.

I cannot be sure which oxidizes faster with O2, Fe++ iron or ascorbate. It might help protect the iron from becoming Fe+++. Or not.

10% ethanol should be fine to add at any stage, but after decanting might be best to avoid solubilizing any more of the "inert" ingredients.

Seems like I should leave out the ascorbic acid for the time being. I am guessing that if I see any rust color in the solution that would mean it is oxidizing to Fe+++? So in other words, unless I see rust color it should be fine?

Thanks for all of your amazing help!!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Seems like I should leave out the ascorbic acid for the time being. I am guessing that if I see any rust color in the solution that would mean it is oxidizing to Fe+++? So in other words, unless I see rust color it should be fine?

Thanks for all of your amazing help!!!

Yes, and I never noticed any in my vials that were around for a few weeks, but the ferrous citrate that I made in bulk did turn brown after a year or so.

Even if it is Fe+++, as long as it is chelated and still soluble (not precipitated like GFO) it should be a useful additive.

 

[rushbattle]

Yes, and I never noticed any in my vials that were around for a few weeks, but the ferrous citrate that I made in bulk did turn brown after a year or so.

Even if it is Fe+++, as long as it is chelated and still soluble (not precipitated like GFO) it should be a useful additive.

Great, thanks so much for all of your help!!!!