Iron supplement

blacktippr · Mar 9, 2016

Hi, once read at this forum that FERGON tablets could be used to supplement iron for macroalgae.

Does anybody know the dosage and what MG to get.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 9, 2016

I thought the Fergon tablets were all the same: 27 mg iron.

Put one pill in about 25 mL water (volume is not that important since dose is not that important for iron). Let it soak for a while or overnight until the tablet breaks apart.

Swirl it to mix. Let is settle overnight. Then use the clear greenish liquid.

I dose about 1 mL per 100 gallons once a week.

blacktippr · Mar 12, 2016

Could I spread the dose over 7 days with a doser. Have approximately 700 gallones total volume.

blacktippr · Mar 12, 2016

Would ferrous sulfate have the same effect, Fergon is iron Gluconate, I could not find it on Walgreens, I purchased Finest nutition Iron Supplement. It is 28mg of Ferrous Sulfate.

Please let me know as im ready to dose.

Thanks for your helpful advise

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 13, 2016

Ferreous sulfate will probably work to some extent, but the gluconate may be preferred because the gluconate part helps keep the iron in solution without precipitating from tank water. The hope with the sulfate is that the iron binds to an organic (like gluconate) that is naturally present in the tank water before it precipitates (which probably happens to some extent).

FWIW, I've also reviewed the other ingredients in Fergon to convince myself they are not a problem. I've not done that for other brands, but can if you post them.

If you cannot find Fergon at a local pharmacy, it is available on line at places like Walgreens:

http://www.walgreens.com/search/results.jsp?Ntt=fergon

joaocdestro · Jul 18, 2016

blacktippr said:
Could I spread the dose over 7 days with a doser. Have approximately 700 gallones total volume.

What is you dose regimen of Iron? do you mix with other element MG, AlK, CA? I'm thinking in mix this fergon solution in the AlK balling solution. What do you think?

blacktippr · Jul 18, 2016

I , just add on some every other night.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 18, 2016

joaocdestro said:
What is you dose regimen of Iron? do you mix with other element MG, AlK, CA? I'm thinking in mix this fergon solution in the AlK balling solution. What do you think?

It may be stable in a calcium solution or magnesium solution, but less likely in an alk solution where the pH is high.

I dosed it once a week or so.