High Iron. Problem?

MrParker · 10-08-2009, 08:29 PM

I dont have a kit to test iron or nutrient levels, but i discovered that the sand substrate in my tank has quite a bit of iron in it. I accidentally dropped a magnetic cleaner, it landed in the sand, and when i picked it up, it had quite a bit of iron stuck to it (as i assume thats all that could be attracted by a magnet).

is this a bad thing? or will it be good since i plan to have it heavily planted?

MrParker · 10-10-2009, 11:14 AM

No one have an opinion or idea about this?

Lotus · 10-10-2009, 11:29 AM

What kind of substrate is it?

Iron tests are generally fairly inaccurate, so it may not help to test.

MrParker · 10-10-2009, 12:22 PM

sand substrate found from the sand dunes

Lotus · 10-10-2009, 03:01 PM

So is the iron in the grains of sand themselves, or are there pieces of iron among the sand?

Either way, I think it may cause long-term problems in the tank.

epond83 · 10-10-2009, 04:59 PM

If it's loose filings in the sand i could see problems from rusting, but if it's bound in the sand grans how could this harm anything? The small gravel i have is slightly attracted to my magnetic cleaner and i haven't had any problems that i know about in my planted 40 gal.

MrParker · 10-10-2009, 08:20 PM

lotus -
yea it seems to be the sand itself. My dad said this is common with almost all sand. That if you stick a magnet in it, a lot of it will stick to the magnet. So i'm thinking it will just be good "iron rich" substrate for the plants?

I'll just have a full team of anti-algea soldiers (as they become needed)
[otos, Chinese/Siamese algae eaters, shrimp, clams]

The algea bloom when I left the lights on 24hrs a day after i dosed the tank with plant nutrients was mostly all over the sand....which makes sense knowing the iron is there.

epond83 - thanks, thats good to know

10-08-2009, 08:29 PM	#1
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	High Iron. Problem? I dont have a kit to test iron or nutrient levels, but i discovered that the sand substrate in my tank has quite a bit of iron in it. I accidentally dropped a magnetic cleaner, it landed in the sand, and when i picked it up, it had quite a bit of iron stuck to it (as i assume thats all that could be attracted by a magnet). is this a bad thing? or will it be good since i plan to have it heavily planted? __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::

10-10-2009, 11:14 AM	#2
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	No one have an opinion or idea about this? __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::

10-10-2009, 11:29 AM	#3
Lotus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,778	What kind of substrate is it? Iron tests are generally fairly inaccurate, so it may not help to test. __________________ Lotus and Ecotank's tanks "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

10-10-2009, 12:22 PM	#4
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	sand substrate found from the sand dunes __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::

10-10-2009, 03:01 PM	#5
Lotus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,778	So is the iron in the grains of sand themselves, or are there pieces of iron among the sand? Either way, I think it may cause long-term problems in the tank. __________________ Lotus and Ecotank's tanks "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

10-10-2009, 04:59 PM	#6
epond83 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 470	If it's loose filings in the sand i could see problems from rusting, but if it's bound in the sand grans how could this harm anything? The small gravel i have is slightly attracted to my magnetic cleaner and i haven't had any problems that i know about in my planted 40 gal.

10-10-2009, 08:20 PM	#7
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	lotus - yea it seems to be the sand itself. My dad said this is common with almost all sand. That if you stick a magnet in it, a lot of it will stick to the magnet. So i'm thinking it will just be good "iron rich" substrate for the plants? I'll just have a full team of anti-algea soldiers (as they become needed) [otos, Chinese/Siamese algae eaters, shrimp, clams] The algea bloom when I left the lights on 24hrs a day after i dosed the tank with plant nutrients was mostly all over the sand....which makes sense knowing the iron is there. epond83 - thanks, thats good to know __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::