Testing Iodine

[Max1]

Hi, I have a mixed reef tank that I know has low iodine from an ICP test. I thoght this would be an easy solution, I would buy iodine to dose, and a tester to check levels without needing an ICP test to follow up. I bought Red Sea Iodine+ to dose, and also the Hanna Iodine checker. Only after using the checker is the issue clear that the level I am aiming for are 0.06ppm Iodine, and the resolution of the Hanna Iodine checker are 0.1ppm, meaning that for all my tests it will either show 0.1 or 0.0. So for all tests have shown 0.0.

Does anyone else test the iodine in water?
Is this hanna checker pointless as for me to show a reading on the checker, I would need to have higher iodine in the tank than I want.
How do I solve this problem? I am guessing I need to get another tester, but unsure what type or brand.
Thanks

 

[Dan_P]

Hi, I have a mixed reef tank that I know has low iodine from an ICP test. I thoght this would be an easy solution, I would buy iodine to dose, and a tester to check levels without needing an ICP test to follow up. I bought Red Sea Iodine+ to dose, and also the Hanna Iodine checker. Only after using the checker is the issue clear that the level I am aiming for are 0.06ppm Iodine, and the resolution of the Hanna Iodine checker are 0.1ppm, meaning that for all my tests it will either show 0.1 or 0.0. So for all tests have shown 0.0.

Does anyone else test the iodine in water?
Is this hanna checker pointless as for me to show a reading on the checker, I would need to have higher iodine in the tank than I want.
How do I solve this problem? I am guessing I need to get another tester, but unsure what type or brand.
Thanks

Try this

Thread 'AN ACCURATE AND PRECISE METHOD FOR MEASURING IODINE'

Jan 25, 2023

ABOUT THE ARTICLE:

The article describes an accurate and precise method and it's development, for measuring the level of Iodine in a saltwater aquarium. It is a follow-up to an article written in 2021. The current article describes an improved method but using the same basic ideas as the 2021 method. The details of the method development are included for those who might be interested. It is an informative example on how methods development can be challenging. That being said if you are just interested in the "Bottom Line" you can skip to Section VII "THE PROCEDURE". This is where the...

• Rick Mathew
• Replies: 50
• Forum: Reef Chemistry by Randy Holmes-Farley

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[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The Hanna is not only the wrong range, but looking for the wrong chemical forms of iodine. It has no use in reefing,

 

[Max1]

The Hanna is not only the wrong range, but looking for the wrong chemical forms of iodine. It has no use in reefing,

Thanks, kinda silly for me to buy it, but also to not be told that when buying.
Do you think the Red Sea test is ok? I just want to make sure its around 0.06ppmm so it looks like the red sea one will do the job. Also when I had an ICP test done and it showed Iodine levels, it was listed as iodine, rather than iodide, my iodine levels where low compared to the 0.06 that I want. When they marked it on the icp as iodine, is this in the form of iodide?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Icp companies often list the element name since that technique cannot distinguish different chemical forms of the elements.

I agree it can be a bit confusing and some folks have worried about chlorine when in reality it is all as chloride. It is partly a chemistry problem since the names for Cl2 and I2 are the same as for the elements in any state.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve not used the Red Sea iodine kit, but it may be fine.

Just to toss out another wrinkle, I’m not certain iodine is actually needed/useful as a supplement. lol

 

[Max1]

I’ve not used the Red Sea iodine kit, but it may be fine.

Just to toss out another wrinkle, I’m not certain iodine is actually needed/useful as a supplement. lol

Thanks, whats your opinion on iodine in tanks? If you had a low enough level to be non detectable would you think its an issue?

 

[braaap]

Thanks, whats your opinion on iodine in tanks? If you had a low enough level to be non detectable would you think its an issue?

It absolutely is needed. I have real world experience. I’ve been keeping reefs 20+ years. Started another about 4 years ago now. Couldn’t keep an SPS to save my life. Literally using the same salt and water etc as the last 15+ years. Tested everything. Everything was perfect. Sent out 3 ICP tests. The literal only element that was out of range was iodine. Started dosing ME Iodine and within a week I saw massive improvement in my corals. And the kicker was my wife noticed and I hadn’t told her I did anything. She just knew I was struggling with my SPS. Dosing iodine was the only change. I was still using all the same salt, water and supplements. Just added iodine.

 

[Max1]

It absolutely is needed. I have real world experience. I’ve been keeping reefs 20+ years. Started another about 4 years ago now. Couldn’t keep an SPS to save my life. Literally using the same salt and water etc as the last 15+ years. Tested everything. Everything was perfect. Sent out 3 ICP tests. The literal only element that was out of range was iodine. Started dosing ME Iodine and within a week I saw massive improvement in my corals. And the kicker was my wife noticed and I hadn’t told her I did anything. She just knew I was struggling with my SPS. Dosing iodine was the only change. I was still using all the same salt, water and supplements. Just added iodine.

I have a similar thing, I had icp done and only thing not within green range was iodine. My tank is new but I have lots of corals and some where closed ocassionaly for seemingly no reason. I have dosed some iodine to my best guess to get it to 0.06ppm, and within 24 hours it seems to make a difference to which corals close for no reason, and the duration they are closed for. Also I have not made other changes during this time.