Iron supplement

[mort]

If it does not have undesirable excipients in the table, it will be fine.

The tablets finally arrived. Ingredients are bulking agents (dicalcium phosphate, cellulose), ferrous fumerate, anticaking agent (magnesium stearate). Do you think these will be OK?

Thanks in advance

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The tablets finally arrived. Ingredients are bulking agents (dicalcium phosphate, cellulose), ferrous fumerate, anticaking agent (magnesium stearate). Do you think these will be OK?

Thanks in advance

I'd prefer ones without the phosphate, but the amount added is likely low and it may not dissolve much in the fresh water anyway.

 

[mort]

I'll try a test with the water I draw off mixed with a little salt to bring it up to levels where my phosphate kit works, to see if there is much left in the solution.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you do not have an algae problem, it may not be and concern. Some folks intentionally dose phosphate.

 

[mort]

If you do not have an algae problem, it may not be and concern. Some folks intentionally dose phosphate.

I don't really have any undesirable algae but I like to know what i'm adding just so I don't encourage it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You can always stop adding if a problem develops.

 

[bing_ph]

I would suggest trying iron and see if it helps. Here's a DIY recipe:

Buy Fergon iron tablets from the drug store.
Put one pill in about 25 mL fresh 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.

Dose about 1 mL per 100 gallons once a week (dose is not critical).

Hi Randy (@Randy Holmes-Farley )

Since Fergon iron tabs are not avaialble in our country, will an over-the-counter generic ferrous sulfate tabs be used instead?

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi Randy (@Randy Holmes-Farley )

Since Fergon iron tabs are not avaialble in our country, will an over-the-counter generic ferrous sulfate tabs be used instead?

Thanks!

Probably yes. A form complexed to an organic such as ferrous gluconate may remain in solution longer, however.

 

[bing_ph]

Probably yes. A form complexed to an organic such as ferrous gluconate may remain in solution longer, however.

Thanks so much Randy (@Randy Holmes-Farley )

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks so much Randy (@Randy Holmes-Farley )

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Japtastic]

Sorry to bring this old thread up. Can't get Fergon here. Found some iron locally that contain these ingredients:

Ingredients
Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, recycling Ferrous Fumarate, Maltodextrin, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Colours (Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide), Glycerol.

Any good?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is probably Ok. Treat it like the fergon in terms of settling.

 

[Japtastic]

Awesome, thanks for the quick reply.

 

[Bph]

Hi Randy would 21st Century Ferrous Sulfate 65mg be ok to use following your suggestions?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi Randy would 21st Century Ferrous Sulfate 65mg be ok to use following your suggestions?

Ferrous sulfate is OK, but not as good as a chelated iron (e.g., ferrous gluconate that I recommend) that may stay is solution longer.

 

[Bph]

Ok thank you .

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok thank you .

You're welcome.

Happy reefing.

 

[Paul B]

I actually do throw nails in my tank. They rust pretty fast. If you dive, you will notice the best, biggest and most corals grow in iron shipwrecks. This is an experiment like everything I do. If my tank crashes, I will still call it a success

 

[piranhaman00]

I would suggest trying iron and see if it helps. Here's a DIY recipe:

Buy Fergon iron tablets from the drug store.
Put one pill in about 25 mL fresh 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.

Dose about 1 mL per 100 gallons once a week (dose is not critical).

Is this the right pill? Lots of ingredients.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes. Most of that other stuff will settle out of RO/DI water, and none of it is a significant concern.