Iodide

Gilbert Lowe · 05/04/2009, 07:12 PM

I wanted to get some expert opinions from the RC. I am new to the reef hobby and I bought a 12 gal Nano Cube Delux. It has been up an running for two months now. I have two clowns, three blue leg hermits and four cerith snails. I also have a blue xenia and star polyp. A worker at my LFS told me that I needed to add iodide to my tank for the xenias. A day after I did I had large buildups of red slim and my xenia has melted down, there was also a distinct smell in the tank. I did a water change and I still am having trouble with algea and the xenia. My tank was running great before this. Any suggestions on how to get the tank back to health?

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/04/2009, 07:19 PM

Water changes. Make sure all parameters are correct, and your source water is good for the changes. (i.e. don't use tap water.)

And of course you've learned this lesson already, but don't add anything to your tank as far as supplementation unless both of these conditions are true:

1) You KNOW for a fact that something in the tank is using that chemical up faster than water changes are replenishing it
2) You KNOW what the correct value is and have the ability to test for it

As an example, calcium hits both of these points in many coral-laden tanks. The corals use it very fast, and water changes don't replenish it fast enough. This is known and accepted, there is no room for debate. Meanwhile, there is a clearly documented ideal value for calcium, and test kits are cheap and easy to use.

Iodine, on the other hand, does not pass either of these tests - it is not widely accepted or understood how corals use it, if they even use it at all. And, it's difficult to properly test for, to the degree that you won't be able to do it as a hobbyist. Hence, don't dose it!

Flipper62 · 05/04/2009, 07:37 PM

I agree with der_wille_zur_macht. Also Iodine is very toxic and if not properly tested for as der_wille noted, you can do way more harm then good.

I dont know why but a lot of LFS ( not all ) are always telling reefers to test & dose Iodine. IMO if your using a good salt mix, there is no reason to even bother with testing or worrying about Iodine.

ROB2005 · 05/04/2009, 08:57 PM

And it doesnt need to be added for those shrimp and invertebrates that need good iodinr levels to molt. Weekly or bi-weekly water changes help to keep this up to date...

Flipper62 · 05/04/2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ROB2005
And it doesnt need to be added for those shrimp and invertebrates that need good iodinr levels to molt. Weekly or bi-weekly water changes help to keep this up to date...

Agreed.......weekly or bi weekly water changes will add all the iodine needed back into the tank for your invertes, shrimp...ect.

If your shrimp needs more iodine to molt.....I hate to see the size of him........LOL

Michael · 05/04/2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flipper62
IMO if your using a good salt mix, there is no reason to even bother with testing or worrying about Iodine.

a good point, some experienced reefers with lots of corals do drop it in daily and it works for them, but im with flipper,waterchanges should be enough and just put it out of your head really

Flipper62 · 05/04/2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Michael
a good point, some experienced reefers with lots of corals do drop it in daily and it works for them, but im with flipper,waterchanges should be enough and just put it out of your head really

Michael....This Iodine topic came up a few weeks ago. I believe it was Bertoni ( RC Mod ) that also agreed that Iodine was one of the trace elements that you dont need to test for or worry about.

I will see if I can find the post......and post it again

lenny8671 · 05/05/2009, 02:11 AM

This is a good read, posted by islandcrow last week...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

And the thread....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1629782

PRDubois · 05/05/2009, 02:14 AM

What did you dose? Iodide or Iodine?
Get it from the LFS or the drug store?

Most say you do not need to Dose Iodine. Some say you should.

There is a good article out there by Randy.

Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

Iodine in Reef Tanks 2: Effects on Macroalgae Growth
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...l2003/chem.htm

Saying that:
I dose "Kent Marine Lugol's Solution" once a week 4 drops in my 72gal and I think it helps.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kent Marine Lugol's Solution provides a strong source of free iodine and iodide to reef inhabitants and macroalgae. Although it's very effective when used with stony corals, systems containing xenia and soft corals benefit the most from the use of Lugol's Solution.
Used as a dip for stony and soft or leather corals, Lugol's will help rid the animals of unwanted parasites and harmful bacteria
This product helps foster improved coloration and prevents bleaching of all corals due to changes in light intensity, and enhances coral polyp expansion
Kent Lugol's Solution provides a key nutrient for marine invertebrates and fishes, and contains no phosphate, nitrate, gluconate, or other sugars

05/04/2009, 07:12 PM	#1
Gilbert Lowe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 76	Iodide I wanted to get some expert opinions from the RC. I am new to the reef hobby and I bought a 12 gal Nano Cube Delux. It has been up an running for two months now. I have two clowns, three blue leg hermits and four cerith snails. I also have a blue xenia and star polyp. A worker at my LFS told me that I needed to add iodide to my tank for the xenias. A day after I did I had large buildups of red slim and my xenia has melted down, there was also a distinct smell in the tank. I did a water change and I still am having trouble with algea and the xenia. My tank was running great before this. Any suggestions on how to get the tank back to health?

05/04/2009, 07:19 PM	#2
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Water changes. Make sure all parameters are correct, and your source water is good for the changes. (i.e. don't use tap water.) And of course you've learned this lesson already, but don't add anything to your tank as far as supplementation unless both of these conditions are true: 1) You KNOW for a fact that something in the tank is using that chemical up faster than water changes are replenishing it 2) You KNOW what the correct value is and have the ability to test for it As an example, calcium hits both of these points in many coral-laden tanks. The corals use it very fast, and water changes don't replenish it fast enough. This is known and accepted, there is no room for debate. Meanwhile, there is a clearly documented ideal value for calcium, and test kits are cheap and easy to use. Iodine, on the other hand, does not pass either of these tests - it is not widely accepted or understood how corals use it, if they even use it at all. And, it's difficult to properly test for, to the degree that you won't be able to do it as a hobbyist. Hence, don't dose it! __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/04/2009, 07:37 PM	#3
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I agree with der_wille_zur_macht. Also Iodine is very toxic and if not properly tested for as der_wille noted, you can do way more harm then good. I dont know why but a lot of LFS ( not all ) are always telling reefers to test & dose Iodine. IMO if your using a good salt mix, there is no reason to even bother with testing or worrying about Iodine. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

05/04/2009, 08:57 PM	#4
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	And it doesnt need to be added for those shrimp and invertebrates that need good iodinr levels to molt. Weekly or bi-weekly water changes help to keep this up to date... __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

05/05/2009, 02:14 AM	#9
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	What did you dose? Iodide or Iodine? Get it from the LFS or the drug store? Most say you do not need to Dose Iodine. Some say you should. There is a good article out there by Randy. Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm Iodine in Reef Tanks 2: Effects on Macroalgae Growth http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...l2003/chem.htm Saying that: I dose "Kent Marine Lugol's Solution" once a week 4 drops in my 72gal and I think it helps. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kent Marine Lugol's Solution provides a strong source of free iodine and iodide to reef inhabitants and macroalgae. Although it's very effective when used with stony corals, systems containing xenia and soft corals benefit the most from the use of Lugol's Solution. Used as a dip for stony and soft or leather corals, Lugol's will help rid the animals of unwanted parasites and harmful bacteria This product helps foster improved coloration and prevents bleaching of all corals due to changes in light intensity, and enhances coral polyp expansion Kent Lugol's Solution provides a key nutrient for marine invertebrates and fishes, and contains no phosphate, nitrate, gluconate, or other sugars __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

05/05/2009, 02:11 AM	#8
lenny8671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: hartlepool U.K Posts: 342	This is a good read, posted by islandcrow last week... http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm And the thread.... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1629782