Features
- 500ml / 17 fl. oz
- Two-tiered approach to iron supplementation consists of one ingredient
to deliver immediate iron and another ingredient that slowly releases iron
during the light cycle, when the aquarium is illuminated.
- Over 50% stronger than most competing products.
- Formulated utilizing extensive research on aquatic plant nutrient requirements.
Description
Florin Fe
Provides both ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) iron sources to maximize
benefit to planted aquaria.
Technical Overview:
Iron is an essential element for plants, both aquatic and terrestrial: it
is utilized in the production of chlorophyll and activates some enzymes that
take part in metabolic reactions; it does all of this, however, in very small
concentrations. Iron is considered a micronutrient, and it is often the limiting
element in plant production in some aquatic habitats. This may be demonstrated
by observing the increase in plant growth rates that occurs when iron is supplemented
in systems in which it was previously immeasurable. Although this increase
in plant growth may be desirable, it can be taken too far if iron supplementation
exceeds the required concentration; in such an event, it is not uncommon to
see increased growth of algae. This is particularly likely to occur in aquaria
with excessive concentrations of nitrate and phosphate. As mentioned, iron
is also required for the production of chlorophyll, which in turn is required
for photosynthesis to occur. A deficiency of iron is physically apparent to
the hobbyist as plant leaves which appear yellow or even somewhat transparent.
In later stages, the leaves eventually disintegrate under gentle water current
or disturbance. While this condition may also be caused by other chemical
and environmental factors, it is seemingly most often the result of insufficient
available iron (note that K, Mg, and N are also important).
Brightwell Aquatics Florin-Fe delivers iron in two steps: immediate and delayed.
This is accomplished through natural biological and photochemical reactions
taking place within all aquaria, and results in a more stable iron concentration
than is attained with other methods of liquid iron supplementation. It is
recommended that iron supplementation be performed on a daily, rather than
weekly, basis. Doing so helps maintain a stable iron concentration (in opposition
to adding it in large doses) that will enable the element to be taken up gradually
by aquarium plants. Additionally, dosing in this fashion will minimize the
chance of unwanted algae proliferation that is possible when a “megadose”
of iron is delivered to the system all at once, creating a situation in which
the iron is, at least temporarily, in a state of gross overabundance. Daily
dosing also enables the hobbyist to witness the resultant changes taking place
in the aquarium on a smaller time scale, further enabling them to increase
or decrease iron dosage as conditions dictate; this is not easy, or perhaps
even possible, when dosing once every 7 days, in which case changes may be
drastic rather than subtle, and the perceived iron requirements of the aquarium
become significantly more difficult to determine.
Instructions and Guidelines:
Shake product well before using. The most effective method of using any ion-specific
supplement is to determine the ionic concentration in the aquarium prior to
supplementing.
Basic: Add 5 ml (1 capful) of product per 50 US-gallons (187.3 L) of aquarium
water every other day or as required; this corresponds to 1 ml (~8 drops)
per 10 US-gallons (37.9 L). When used in this fashion, 250 ml treats up to
2,500 US-gallons (9,463.5 L). Maintain the iron concentration within a range
of 0.05 - 0.10 ppm.
Advanced: Determine the iron concentration in the aquarium using an accurate
test kit before supplementing. Each ml of Florin-Fe will increase the concentration
of total iron (“[Fe2+/3+]”) in 1 US-gallon (3.785 L) of water
by 3.2 ppm. Each drop (125-, 250-, and 500-ml cap) will increase the [Fe2+/3+]
in 1 US-gallon (3.785 L) of water by 0.4 ppm, and the [Fe2+/3+] in 20 US-gallons
(75.7 L) by 0.02 ppm. Maintain the iron concentration within a range of 0.05
- 0.10 ppm.
It is advisable to ensure that the concentration of phosphate not exceed
0.05 ppm in the aquarium to be dosed with an iron supplement. If the initial
[Fe2+/3+] in the aquarium is below 0.05 ppm, add this product at the maximum
rate of 1 ml per 10 US-gallons daily until the desired concentration is attained,
then dose daily or weekly as needed (see below). Always attempt to maintain
the [Fe2+/3+] within a range of +/-0.02 ppm. To determine the dosing rate
of this product once the desired [Fe2+/3+] has been acquired, measure the
daily rate of iron uptake (i.e. the decrease in iron) in your aquarium by
measuring the aquarium's [Fe2+/3+] at the same time each day over a one- to
two-week period. To determine the daily dosing rate (preferable to weekly
dosing) for iron maintenance: estimate the volume of water in the entire aquarium
system; divide the daily decrease in [Fe2+/3+] by 3.2; multiply this number
by the volume of water in the system to get the daily dosage required (ml)
to maintain a stable [Fe2+/3+]. Daily dosing maintains a more stable [Fe2+/3+]
(and more natural environment) than dosing weekly, in which the [Fe2+/3+]
spikes just after dosing and then gradually decreases throughout the course
of the week. See Technical Overview for additional important information on
this subject.
Caution:
Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.
Guaranteed Analysis (minimum):
0-0-0; Iron (Fe) (min) 1.20% (355 mg/oz.; 12,000 ppm).
Sources of Nutrients:
Ferrous gluconate, Iron EDTA.
Other Ingredients:
Purified water.
