Hi,

Today I was looking around at the SuperPet superstore here in town. The salesperson approached me and immediately tried to get me to purchase things. Most I already had. Ie: ammonia test kits, nitrite, nitrate, ph etc.....

She then proceeded to tell me that an IRON (Fe) test kit is essential when you have a planted tank. I've never had problems and my tank is healthy. All specs are normal.

What on earth is she talking about and do I really need such a thing? Or is she just trying to make a buck?

I'm pretty sure plants need some sort of minimum iron level to grow well.. I think so anyways.

If you haven't had any problems, don't buy it. If you ever do have plant trouble, then it would help to know your iron levels to figure out the problem. They're just trained to get you to buy as much as possible.

I have one for my heavly planted tank, but if your plants are doing just fine dont worry about it, its mostly for people that have a heavly planted tank or that there water doesnt have enough minerals for the plants or fish

i use 'plant food' for the tank on a regular basis, so my plants should be getting enough nutrients. Thanks for your advice guys!

Barb