Rock Flower Anemone and Iodine

[mfrumkin]

I keep reading that I should dose my RFA tank with Iodine. But I can't seem to find how much?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Mike, good question. I'm glad you asked before you did it.

So, where are you reading this info? And why are they saying to dose iodine?

Iodine is an important trace element in the water and some people do dose it in small quantities. But I think if you asked Randy Holmes Farley in the Chemistry forum he'd advise against it. One, you need to be able to test for it and two, you need to be dosing the right kind of iodine. I believe there are at least 2 or 3 different types.

 

[ahiggins]

I’ve never read anything about that and I’ve been breeding rock nems for years...
I wouldn’t add anything like that. I didn’t even dip mine when I got them. (Granted they weren’t on rock or anything)

 

[mfrumkin]

I read it on different vendor websites. From Live Aquaria, "Adding iodine and trace elements to the aquarium will help the Flower Anemone thrive." Foxy Saltwater Tropicals, "They will also benefit from trace elements and iodine added to their reef tank." Aquarium Illusions, "Adding iodine and trace elements to the aquarium will help the Flower Anemone thrive." Pretty sure I saw others. Since I have no idea how to set or how much iodine to add I thought I'd ask R2R. I target feed mysis and reef roids. Shouldn't there be trace elements in that? Are there meaty foods that would already have iodine and trace elements in them?

 

[reef lover]

Your trace elements will be replenished with water changes. And for a rfa tank that will be sufficient.

 

[D-Nak]

I'd heard and read the same thing about iodine. I used to add Kent Tech-I based on the instructions on the bottle, and tested iodine using a Red Sea test kit, but never really noticed a difference so I stopped.

Here's an article that Randy Holmes-Farley wrote an article a few years ago that discusses iodine, but doesn't mention anemones. Still a very good read, and will help determine how you move forward.

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/chemistry

 

[ahiggins]

Yea...I do water changes (use Red Sea salt-not coral pro because of the high alk) but other than that I’m thinking this “trace elements” may be sorta hoaxy. Then again, I’m sure there’s plenty I don’t know about these guys lol

 

[Ron Reefman]

@mfrumkin, did you notice that a couple of the sites say the exact same words about iodine? They copy each other. And none of the quotes is from anybody with real science behind them, they are all people selling RFA. And iodine is commonly something they say is needed for inverts and inverts that build shells do need iodine. I wouldn't take their recommendation as being worth 2 cents. Read the Randy Holmes Farley article and go from there. But that's just my opinion.

 

[mfrumkin]

@mfrumkin, did you notice that a couple of the sites say the exact same words about iodine? They copy each other. And none of the quotes is from anybody with real science behind them, they are all people selling RFA. And iodine is commonly something they say is needed for inverts and inverts that build shells do need iodine. I wouldn't take their recommendation as being worth 2 cents. Read the Randy Holmes Farley article and go from there. But that's just my opinion.

I did notice that. That is what made me suspicious and why I cam to R2R.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I did notice that. That is what made me suspicious and why I cam to R2R.

And IMHO, that was a very smart move!