Low Iodide level ... what's the best solution?

[Tim Olson]

Thanks, that's very helpful. I've also noticed my corals have opened up more since I started dosing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the dosing is what's helping.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sounds good.

Keep us updated.

 

[theMeat]

Would think if iodine or whatever form of it is low, likely other elements are low as well

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Would think if iodine or whatever form of it is low, likely other elements are low as well

Maybe, but iodine depletes very rapidly due to uptake by algae of all types. In my tank it went from NSW levels to none detectable in a few days.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Would think if iodine or whatever form of it is low, likely other elements are low as well

Maybe, but iodine depletes very rapidly due to uptake by algae of all types. In my tank it went from NSW levels to none detectable in a few days.

 

[theMeat]

Good point as usual Randy. Other elements may not deplete as quickly, but depending on if fuge, and the size of it, what livestock is consuming what, how often water changes happen, and type of salt used, would suspect other elements could be off too

 

[miyags]

Is there a cheaper type of iodine I could use, for dipping corals or when I frag them?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there a cheaper type of iodine I could use, for dipping corals or when I frag them?

You need to be clear that the types of iodine often used for dosing (iodide, I-) are not useful at all for dipping corals. You need an antimicrobial form of iodine (I2). That can be obtained in Lugols iodine from a drug store or from hobby companies.

 

[Tim Olson]

Good point as usual Randy. Other elements may not deplete as quickly, but depending on if fuge, and the size of it, what livestock is consuming what, how often water changes happen, and type of salt used, would suspect other elements could be off too

I'm wondering that as well, so I'm thinking about getting my water ICP tested somewhere, but haven't decided on which one. I'm hoping the elements are ok, since the salt mix supposedly has all the elements in it (Aquavitro Salinity). I also do about a 20% water change weekly.

I think the most significant factor is my 10g fuge, which I just added it 8 weeks ago. I also took a few weeks to come up to steam, and from reading Randy's articles it looks like the macroalgae could be absorbing much of the Iodide.

So far it's been interesting, since when I started taking Iodide readings 5 days ago it wouldn't even register on the scale. Today, after 5 days of dosing, it finally showed a hint of color, which was 0.01 ppm Iodide. I'll keep on increasing the daily dose gradually, until I get to the recommended 0.06-0.08 ppm Iodide. Time will tell if this is a factor in the health of my invertebrates and corals.

All the best

 

[rkpetersen]

FYI, I just did the Salifert test for Iodate and it was virtually clear, meaning the concentration is <0.03 ppm. So I presume that I should proceed with Iodine dosing. Hopefully it won't do any harm.

I would strongly caution against trusting the results of the Salifert iodine test kit, or any hobbyist iodine test kit currently available. I have found them all to be seriously inaccurate, generally on the low side, as compared to results obtained from spectroscopic labs on identical water samples. At one point, I dosed BA Iodion, on the dubious belief that doing so was critical for crustacean molting. I used somewhat less than the instructions called for, and I continued to dose at less than recommended intervals when test levels did not rise. After one such addition, within hours many of my corals, particularly sensitive species like yuma mushrooms, looked noticeably worse. I commenced with water changes as the timing made it fairly clear that the additive was to blame. 11 days later I received the Triton results I sent that day, and found that I had an iodine level of 323 ppb! None of the hobbyist iodine test kits (Salifert, Red Sea, SeaChem) gave any indication of this dangerously high iodine level, which I reached despite conservative dosing.

I now just add 1 drop of Lugol's empirically every couples of weeks (100 gal tank). Everyone seems ok with it, shrimp and crabs are doing great, and the last couple of spectroscopic iodine levels have been in the normal range.

 

[rkpetersen]

I'm thinking about getting my water ICP tested somewhere

Triton and ATI are both good. ATI will test for a few things that Triton doesn't, and will also test your RODI water to confirm that your purification system is working.

 

[Tim Olson]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree and don't really trust the Salifert Iodide test to give accurate results. Instead I'm using the test as a relative guideline that I can track the health of my tank inhabitants against. My primary measure is how active my inverts are and how open the corals are. So far, after 5 days of dosing Iodide (Seachem), the inverts seem to be doing better, especially the Peppermint Shrimp. Although, the Hermit Crabs are giving me mixed signals. With regard to the corals, I have noticed improvement so far.

Overall, my plan is to proceed cautiously and take daily Iodide readings and note tank health. Time will tell ... I sure hope it helps, but I'm not optimistic.

Also, FWIW, I've been reading here that Triton's test may be giving Iodine levels that are too high. I'd like to get mine tested as well, but I haven't been able to find the test kits in stock.

Thanks again!

 

[Tim Olson]

Triton and ATI are both good. ATI will test for a few things that Triton doesn't, and will also test your RODI water to confirm that your purification system is working.

Thanks ... I was trying to find ATI test kits today, but didn't have any luck. I'll have to keep on looking. I definitely want to get and ICP test done.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, ICP tests like Triton detect some types of iodine that test kits do not, so they may all be perfect in detecting what they are supposed to detect, and yet yield different answers.

 

[jantje]

Randy, i did read your articles. But why do Triton and ATI test on them? Why they all sell idone and give advise to dose it ? or is just ..give me the money
I thought it was needed for the blue color in some corals ...correct me if wrong

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Triton and others give advice on how to maintain certain levels, but not really on whether that action is useful. Someone recently had low lithium and Triton recommended dosing lithium despite it having no known biological role in any known organism. It won’t hurt, but may also have zero benefit.

 

[rkpetersen]

Thanks ... I was trying to find ATI test kits today, but didn't have any luck. I'll have to keep on looking. I definitely want to get and ICP test done.

https://www.marinedepot.com/ATI_Lab..._Saltwater_Aquariums-ATI-UZ21850-FITK-vi.html

 

[Tim Olson]

Thank you!!! I just ordered one and it should be here early next week.

BTW, I've been gradually increasing the Seachem Iodide dose and it's amazing how it affects my inverts. Within minutes after the dose they come alive and start moving, whereas right before the dose they were motionless. So, I'm guessing Iodide is too low before the dose. I'm going to set up my doser soon to spread the dose throughout the day. Of course, this is still theoretical. We'll see if this behavior continues. My goal is to have them active the majority of the day.

Also, for reference, this morning's Iodide test was 0.02 ppm before the dose and 0.03 ppm shortly after the dose.

Thanks again for taking the time to add the link.