Hi
U have spend the money on the Iron suplement already.
There is an option to convert your Ferric Fe to Ferrous using some E300 (Ascorbic asid )
I use it in my all in one mixes and it turns my solution green.It is available from TCN website.
Which is a perfect example of throwing good money after bad.
So you actually spend money buying Vitamin C just so you can convert your Ferric Iron to Ferrous Iron?
Then, as Darrel points out, when you add it to the tank, if the pH and hardness are high, it may convert back to it's Ferric form.
I would like to clarify how we are being ripped off:
The red Iron product you have purchased? Well, as Darrel quite rightly points out, it is likely Ferric Oxide.
Here is a typical example of Ferric Oxide:
Yes, that's right. The fancy iron supplement contains the active ingredient which can be found on iron nails that you left out in the rain last month.
It's exactly the same stuff.
I would definitely NOT spend more money on rust.
If you want to acidify your rusty solution then use any acid that you already have in your kitchen cupboard.
How about lemon, lime or orange juice, which are all full of vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)?
Vinegar (ascetic acid) will work as well.
If you have any type of de-scaler, Like Killrock, for example, then that will most likely be an acid as well, such as Formic acid.
Do yourself a favor and save your money. Next time, just buy a micronutrient mix that is 13% or more in Ferrous Iron.
It will look something like this and will be perfect:
If you ever feel as if you need more Iron, then simply add more.
Why buy another source of Iron when you already have it in the mix you are using?
Cheers,