Iodine toxicity

hbrochs · Sep 16, 2016

So I'm in my lfs, and notice them dosing iodine. We chat and he says it really helps the zoanthids propagate more quickly. So I start dosing like 4 drops a week into my 80 gallon mixed reef and within a week I notice a pretty dramatic uptick in the number of zoanthid polyps. So after a few weeks I figure if a little is good, more must be better. I eventually work up to six drops twice a week. I've read that testing for elements like iodine with hobbiest grade equipment is sketchy at best. But I buy the Red Sea test kit anyway cause I want to see where I'm at. Well I was off the chart high, so now I don't know where I'm at.

What are signs of high Iodine?

I did a water change and stopped dosing iodine completely until it comes down. Appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Howard

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 16, 2016

What form are you dosing? Iodine comes in a variety of different forms with potentially different toxicity. Iodide, iodate, iodine (I2), organic forms, etc.

I'm not personally convinced most tanks benefit, but if you think yours dose, there's no reason to not use reasonable amounts. It depletes fairly fast because algae (macro and micro) take it up.

hbrochs · Sep 16, 2016

I've been using Lugol's iodine from Brightwell.

locito277 · Sep 16, 2016

I was under the impression that leathers and many softies did benefit from iodine. Never really got the science behind it though. Can you clarify Ramdy? Thanks

iReefer · Sep 16, 2016

Is there any thing wrong with your polyps?

Peter Blue Reef · Sep 16, 2016

I too noticed a huge spread with my zoas when I started dosing it a few years ago. I had an additional trick that I will never reveal also but I started to worry about where to add more rock for them to climb onto.

FDAWG · Sep 16, 2016

@Buck Sexton Picture or it didn't happen

Elementalj · Sep 16, 2016

FDAWG said:
@Buck Sexton Picture or it didn't happen

I'm sayin'!!! [emoji12]

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2016

locito277 said:
I was under the impression that leathers and many softies did benefit from iodine. Never really got the science behind it though. Can you clarify Ramdy? Thanks

I kept leathers and soft corals for 20 years. Dosed iodide regularly for a few of those years, then stopped cold turkey and saw no change. Quite a few experienced reefers saw the same when they stopped. But that doesn't prove it isn't helpful for someone.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2016

hbrochs said:
I've been using Lugol's iodine from Brightwell.

Lugols is not my favorite (see below), although people who see an effect from it might possibly be seeing it for reasons that do not actually relate to the iodine (its theoretically possible anyway).

The I2 in it is not the form present in seawater, and is reactive, reacting with organics and other compounds. That is why I2 is antimicrobial at high concentration, but not at this level. But it is changing the water chemistry a bit.

hbrochs · Sep 17, 2016

Which iodine has the kind in seawater?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2016

I discuss the forms of iodine here:

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Iodine In Reef Tanks 2: Effects On Macroalgae Growth ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2003/chem.htm

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2016

hbrochs said:
Which iodine has the kind in seawater?

Iodate (mostly) and iodide (less but significant).

locito277 · Sep 17, 2016

Thanks Randy. Other than strontium, calcium and magnesium what else would you recommend dosing to the tank?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2016

locito277 said:
Thanks Randy. Other than strontium, calcium and magnesium what else would you recommend dosing to the tank?

I'd personally drop strontium from the needed list, but there are a variety of trace elements that may be useful. Unfortunately, others may be in an overabundance already, Still, a trace element additive might have more benefit than detriment and testing one out to see if you see any effect may be a fine plan.

If you grow macroalgae, iron can be useful. I have also dosed silicate for sponges/etc.

locito277 · Sep 17, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I'd personally drop strontium from the needed list, but there are a variety of trace elements that may be useful. Unfortunately, others may be in an overabundance already, Still, a trace element additive might have more benefit than detriment and testing one out to see if you see any effect may be a fine plan.

If you grow macroalgae, iron can be useful. I have also dosed silicate for sponges/etc.

thx for the advice

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2016

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing

Peter Blue Reef · Sep 18, 2016

This was my Hawaiian tank. No longer in service.

Peter Blue Reef · Sep 18, 2016

this was three months after the frag went in. That Nem is from my crab. He lost one and it wandered.

rosshamsandwich · Mar 1, 2018

hbrochs said:
So I'm in my lfs, and notice them dosing iodine. We chat and he says it really helps the zoanthids propagate more quickly. So I start dosing like 4 drops a week into my 80 gallon mixed reef and within a week I notice a pretty dramatic uptick in the number of zoanthid polyps. So after a few weeks I figure if a little is good, more must be better. I eventually work up to six drops twice a week. I've read that testing for elements like iodine with hobbiest grade equipment is sketchy at best. But I buy the Red Sea test kit anyway cause I want to see where I'm at. Well I was off the chart high, so now I don't know where I'm at.

What are signs of high Iodine?

I did a water change and stopped dosing iodine completely until it comes down. Appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Howard

still dosing iodine?