How to Remove Excess Iron From Fish Tanks

Whether your aquarium is for pleasure, hobby or profession, the healthiest fish tank will provide your fish the most natural environment possible. Regular tank maintenance for small and large tanks requires water changes, usually adding 10 to 30 percent fresh water. "These water changes remove excess nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates, from the water and reintroduce new ones, such as iron, which are required. Your fish will also appreciate the clean water," explains Richard T. Pon from the Calgary Aquarium Society.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean water source sample
  • Tank water source sample
  • Water test kit
  • Bottled water
  • Aquarium plants
  • Water filtration system
  • Activated carbon
  • Poly filter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the possible sources of the excess iron in your fish tanks. Is the iron coming from the original source of your water? Some tap water sources have little to no iron in their water supply. Some well water supplies have an abundance of iron. Take your water to a free local water testing site or use a test kit. Check the inside of your toilet tank for reddish green algae or rust staining, this is a sign of high amounts of iron in your water supply.

    • 2

      Change your fish tank water using bottled water or tap water -- not distilled -- that does not have chlorine or chloramine in it. If the water has chlorine, let the water sit in an open container for 48 hours before mixing with your tank water. If the water has chloramine, purchase and use the right product at an aquarium supply store to treat chloramine. Change 10 to 30 percent of the water once a week to once a month depending on the number of fish and size of your fish tank. A 50 gallon fish tank with two angel fish can be changed or cleaned less often than a 50 gallon tank with several schools of 1-inch fish.

    • 3

      Plant live aquarium plants in your fish tank to use up excess levels of iron and restore the fish tank to iron levels that are healthy for the fish and plants. Seek out healthy, hardy, fast growing varieties. Ask your local aquarium supply store for a recommendation. There are a few varieties that are sensitive to iron levels and will yellow slightly when the levels drop too low for optimal plant growth. However, iron that is "low" for optimal plant growth is healthy for iron-sensitive fish.

    • 4

      Install a water filtration system that cycles the water through a carbon and a poly filter. The activated carbon will remove dissolved organic molecules and the poly filter will filter out organic and inorganic waste buildup. These systems will improve the water quality and clarity of your fish tank.