Iron is a vital component for plant development and fish growth. Iron deficiency is
common in aquaponics systems because commercial fish feed contains a low amount of iron. Iron is an important element for plant photosynthesis, which gives the plant
oxygen and makes the healthy green color in plants, and many other cellular functions. Without enough iron, plants cannot produce chlorophyll, which will cause abnormal plant growth. Fish need iron to make hemoglobin, which helps cellular respiration and oxygen transfer to the fish’s body.
Identifying an iron deficiency is generally straightforward. Plants will start to show
various visual signs if iron levels are low.
Symptoms to look out for include:
- Leaf chlorosis – Plant leaves turns yellow and the veins remain dark green.
- White leaves – Plant leaves worsen and turn from yellow to white before dying.
- Stunted plant growth – Signs of necrosis where flowering and plant growth is inhibited and causes leaf loss.
- Growth shoots between veins.
Testing kits are also available to determine iron deficiency. These testing kits will show you how much iron is available in the water. With these you will be able to read the amount of iron in water at ppm, the ideal range is 2-3 ppm, a reading of 1.5 ppm shows an iron deficiency.
