Red Sea test kit

[BestMomEver]

I just got a new Red Sea test kit for iron, potassium and iodide. Ran the iron test and got no registerable color in the vial (think clear). I noticed that the first reagent, the powder, is reddish in color and the videos I’ve watched showed the powder as white. Is my test kit old or been contaminated? Does anyone have experience with this kit?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You should not (IMO, despite Red Sea's unusual advice) be able to detect iron with any hobby kit. Normal iron levels on a reef tank are far below detectable limits.

That said, I do not know anything about the reagent colors in their kit.

 

[BestMomEver]

Well, that makes me feel better. I considered dosing with a trace mineral supplement but wanted to test first. What abt iodide? If the test level is on the high side is it safe to use a trace mineral supplement? How/how fast does the tank process that stuff?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well, that makes me feel better. I considered dosing with a trace mineral supplement but wanted to test first. What abt iodide? If the test level is on the high side is it safe to use a trace mineral supplement? How/how fast does the tank process that stuff?

Thanks

Iodide is typically consumed rapidly by algae, and if you are using a commercial additive at recommended doses, iodide accumulation is not usually a concern.