Shrimps - does Iron harm them?

[kathryn]

Hi,
I am thinking of using a plant fertilizer that is pure soluble iron - is this harmful to my fan shrimps?
What other metals could harm them apart from Copper?
Kind regards,
Kathryn

[badflash]

Yes, iron in high concentrations will kill them. Many metals will, but I can't tell you the concentrations. I stay away from ferts altogether as the long term health of the shrimp and their ability to reproduce is effected.

I know lead is no good for them too.

[raptor83]

Actually, I have a question regarding metals and shrimp that probably best fits in this thread. I am thinking of getting some Riccia which comes in a metal mesh (to keep it submerged) The metal is coated in plastic, but it has a few bare ends. I dont know what the metal is, but would this exposed metal be enough to cause my shrimp any harm? I have read somewhere that even a small coin placed into a tank would be enough to kill all the shrimp - I dont know how true this is though.
Thanks in advance

[badflash]

Without knowing what the metal of the mesh is, I could not hazzard a guess, but I would steer clear of it. Coins are much worse than metal screening though. Dimes and quarters are mostly copper these days, and pennies are mostly zinc with a copper shell. Copper is what kills the shrimp.

If you want to root riccia to stuff it is easy to do with light fishing line. You can do it with plastic matting rather than metal. you can also just take a big clump and put a stone in the middle of it. Once it takes hold on the gravel it will start to spread.

[fishgeek]

also will depend to some extent on your water
if you have soft acidic waters then heavy metal will leech from solids to ionised aqueos form more easily
if you have harder water then the problem wil be lesser

you can always use a hair net weighted at the edges with substrate for you riccia

andrew