Lugol solution for Iodine supplementation

maroun.c · Jan 10, 2018

Any disadvantages to use lugol to supplement Iodine instead of iodine supplements?
Any idea if lugol will also supplement any significant amount of potassium? And if it will lead to a potassium or iodine imbalance of lugol isused to supplement both?
Finally I'm looking for any chart listing average Coral consumption of some elements like strontium molybdenum iodine potassium iron... In relation to alk or Ca consumption?
Thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 10, 2018

It's hard to claim that anyone has a proven problem from it, but I do not prefer Lugols since the I2 in it is a largely unnatural form that is reactive with organics, including tissues.

There's no relationship between iodine uptake and alk/calcium uptake. It is not deposited into skeletons, but taken up by organisms such as micro and macroalgae. It is usually rapidly depleted, often going from NSW levels to very little in only a few days.

FWIW, I also do not think that supplemental iodine is useful in most reef tanks (that is, there's no apparent visual effect), even though it is rapidly depleted, but it is easy to experiment and see for yourself if it is useful in your tank.