Iodine Results & Test Kits

[nzkiwi80]

My corals were struggling so I recently I had a ICP test done and my iodine levels were 0.0280 mg/l which is very low. It was the only alarming result.

I purchased Aqua Forrest Iodum and added a bit over time but I'm not sure where it's at so purchased a Iodine & Iodide test kit.

I'm using RO/DI water and in step 3 I'm using aquarium water, I assume that's all correct and the test tray capsule was full of water. Here's an online version of my manual

https://e-lss.jp/seachem/downloads/instructions/0978-Iodide-4.4.pdf
The water was clear, well off white, slight brownish in color - what you'd expect of tank water but not the slightest shade of blue.

My questions are

1. Is Iodum the right product to use?
2. How much could I add to my 350L system
3. Any other advise

I should get a Hana Checker or another ICP but i'd need to import one and the local fish shop is out of ICP tests at the moment.

 

[lapin]

Not that this willl help but I dose this according to the directions but only dose 1/2. I also use Red Sea salt mix . With a 10% a week water change. I tooo had low ICP test results . I did not have any issues with shrimp molts but wanted to be sure none developed in the future.
https://seachem.com/reef-iodide.php

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am not convinced supplemented iodine is useful, but maintaining natural levels is certainly fine.

I cannot tell what type of iodine Aquaforest uses, but if it is colorless, it is likely fine. If it is dark colored, like Lugols iodine,,I’d look for a different supplement containing just iodide.

 

[nzkiwi80]

Thanks for the replies, I don't have much coral, and 4 fish - I'm not sure what could be consuming my current natural levels but was also doing a 20L water change weekly, I've made that fortnightly.

My reading was 0.025ppm but about half what it should be.

All other conditions were okay and I don't know why my corals were struggling and dying, I'm assuming it's because of this?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Algae is a primary consumer of iodine. There is no chance your corals were dying due to iodine at 0.025 ppm, IMO.

Many of us have kept corals for decades without dosing supplemental iodine. There may or may not be subtle differences in some organisms with natural levels of iodine, but there is no evidence that corals die from a lack of it.

Certain gorgonia do have a known use and need of iodine.

 

[nzkiwi80]

Algae is a primary consumer of iodine. There is no chance your corals were dying due to iodine at 0.025 ppm, IMO.

Many of us have kept corals for decades without dosing supplemental iodine. There may or may not be subtle differences in some organisms with natural levels of iodine, but there is no evidence that corals die from a lack of it.

Certain gorgonia do have a known use and need of iodine.

Appreciate the replies, so maybe my algae is consuming nirates and iodine which is why they're all reporting low levels..

So I need to starve my algae but not my coral or fish - what's the best way of doing this?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Appreciate the replies, so maybe my algae is consuming nirates and iodine which is why they're all reporting low levels..

So I need to starve my algae but not my coral or fish - what's the best way of doing this?

Starving algae is not, IMO, an optimal plan however it is done. Using herbivores to consume it generally works better, sparing corals.