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Re: Substrate iron
Bob Dixon wrote:
[Iron availability is affected by]
> > 2) the presence of small particles of stable organic matter such as
> > peat. These peat particles maintain reducing environments
> > (micro-environments as described by Roger Miller in a previous email
> > several months back) which solubalize iron and provide a source of
> > organic Fe complexes which help solubalized iron be transported by
> > diffusion to root hairs. Only a very small amount of peat or other
> > stable organic material is necessary.<snip>>
>
> So if I use redart at a 200 mesh (about like flour), with its 7+% Fe2O3, and
> add peat into the substrate, I should be able to get a very long term iron
> dosing, possibly even too much at first. When the initial humus and tannins
> wear out, will the peat continue to function as a reduction "catalyst"?
If the clay is fine texture enough to use for pottery, then I think it
has very small particles; probably smaller than flour. That should be
good. I tried to use 5% peat by weight in the middle layer but this
seemed to be more than necessary. My best guess is that 0.5% - 1% by
weight (about one cup) should be sufficient and hopefully avoid high
levels of tanins which is the real problem on startup. Perhaps
preleaching the peat would also help. I think its really the amount of
dissolved organics in the water which is causing the high iron levels.
Sorry, I can't help with your other questions.
Steve Pushak Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Visit "Steve's Aquatic Page" http://home.infinet.net/teban/
for LOTS of pics, tips and links for aquatic gardening!!!