Iodine dosing for Zoanthids

[DiamondCoralsLLC]

Hello R2R, I'm interested in starting to dose iodine in my reef tank because I heard it brightens zoanthid colors and boosts their grow, any idea how much per gallon I would dose? thanks for the help!

 

[PeterEde]

I've been dosing trace but still my last ICP came back saying iodine was low so I have been dosing an extra 1ml a day.
Testing, if I am doing it right is still showing low but that could mean my Zoas have pulled it down before I test?
Using Salifert test. Which has 2 parts. Iodide and Iodine/Iodate.

 

[DiamondCoralsLLC]

Thanks for your reply! but this does not give me any insight on how or what to dose for iodine

 

[mehaffydr]

Thanks for your reply! but this does not give me any insight on how or what to dose for iodine

You should only dose if you have tested for it and determine it’s deficient. Otherwise you are most likely wasting money or getting things out of balance. Blind dosing is just not a good idea

 

[PeterEde]

Thanks for your reply! but this does not give me any insight on how or what to dose for iodine

An ICP test will tell you where your Iodine is. It will provide a daily dosing amount if you chose to do so but as many believe iodine is not necessary to dose it may all be in vane.

 

[DiamondCoralsLLC]

where can I get an ICP test

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I would test via icp to see current lvls and then add iodide if need b. Hobby grade tests are not that accurate and dosing something u can’t test for isn’t ideal. If add lugols u can easily overdose

 

[PeterEde]

where can I get an ICP test

Your local LFS might sell ICP test kits?

 

[nereefpat]

There are iodine test kits. Most reefs tend to become depleted. Don't know if it will help your zoas or not. I wouldn't dose without testing

 

[Jekyl]

Don't dose what you can't test for IMO

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello R2R, I'm interested in starting to dose iodine in my reef tank because I heard it brightens zoanthid colors and boosts their grow, any idea how much per gallon I would dose? thanks for the help!

Actually you want to dose iodide, which zoa convert to needed iodine and iodate. Iodine is also used by corals to detoxify oxygen produced by its zooxanthellae.
I generally add iodine at 2-3 drops per 10 gallons

 

[lost66]

where can I get an ICP test

Amazon.

 

[Tavero]

To my knowledge there isn't a single animal that is able to use elemental iodine. Animals are only able to use iodine salts like potassium iodide or organically bound iodine. I stopped dosing and can't see a difference.

 

[mrpontiac80]

where can I get an ICP test

For what it’s worth, I use ATI icp tests. You can get them from Bulk Reef Supply, Saltwater aquarium, and others. There are other companies that do icp tests but as far as I know, ATI is the only one that also tests your source water (RODI). They send you some sample tubes you fill up with water samples put them into the provided envelope and stick the provided shipping label on and about 1 week later you get results.

Also for what it’s worth.. my last icp test said I was low on iodine so I dosed it to how and what they recommended. My newest test results I expect tomorrow so we will see.

 

[Celestion]

small small amounts of Manganese zinc iron iodine , can be used with added benefits

 

[Saltees]

2 drops of Tropic Marin Iodine for my 120G daily. ICP came back low therefore adding an extra drop. No adverse effect, except that the shrimps are shedding more often.

 

[taricha]

personally I'd go with something like Red Sea trace Colors Iodine or some other aquarium-branded iodine supplement. They are usually Iodide (I-) instead of I2 (like lugol's) and they contain the dosage instructions to target a reasonable level - often 0.06 ppm Iodine.

 

[brucey]

I’ve been using the Red Sea stuff for a while, I do think it’s 50/50 whether it’s worth the risk or not.

I’ve lost too many high end Zoas when the iodine gets up to 0.09 ppm

in which case they melt in 48 hours but are the only thing affected by the high iodine.
mid I was to do it again I wouldn’t dose it. Too much risk versus the benefit and the test kits are a nightmare so an icp every 3 months is in my view rather essential

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t know if iodide dosing is useful (I didn’t find it to be) but it is an easy thing to experiment with.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

An ICP test will tell you where your Iodine is. It will provide a daily dosing amount if you chose to do so but as many believe iodine is not necessary to dose it may all be in vane.

How does an icp test give a daily dosing amount unless you do tests on multiple days in a row while you dose?

It just gives a one time correction dose. Whether that is needed daily, weekly, monthly, or hourly can only be determined by multiple tests.