Seachem Flourish Iron – Provides iron for red aquatic plants

Iron is immobile in plants, meaning they can’t move it from older leaves to newer ones. As a result, when iron is lacking, the first symptoms show up on young leaves. Iron is essential for chlorophyll production, so a deficiency causes yellowing (chlorosis) of new leaves, and the stems may appear thin and short. If the deficiency continues, each new leaf will be lighter in color than the last.

When choosing an iron supplement, it’s important to know the difference between two forms of iron: ferrous (Fe+2) and ferric (Fe+3). Ferrous iron is the preferred form because it is soluble in water at any pH level. Ferric iron, on the other hand, is only soluble when the pH is below 5.5. In a planted aquarium, where the pH is usually higher, ferric iron becomes insoluble and settles in the substrate, making it impossible for plants to absorb through their leaves.

To prevent this, some products use iron-EDTA, a chelated form of ferric iron, which keeps it soluble. However, there are drawbacks:

1. The bond between iron and EDTA is very strong, so plants get less iron over time.
2. Plants must use energy to break the bond and convert ferric iron to the usable ferrous form.

Flourish Iron™ takes a different approach. It uses ferrous iron gluconate, which is already in the usable ferrous form. This means plants don’t need to expend energy converting it. Ferrous gluconate is also more effective for foliar feeding than iron-EDTA, as the bond is weaker and allows for easier absorption. Additionally, ferrous gluconate provides a source of carbon for the plants, which is an added benefit. Contrary to what some other products suggest, gluconate is safe for both plants and fish.

Flourish Iron™ is a highly concentrated supplement (10,000 mg/L) that provides plants with the iron they need without the issues of iron-EDTA