Trident vs Hanna vs ICP Test and Iodine Question

2_much_junk_in_the_sump · Oct 18, 2021

I tested my water using 3 different methods all taken from the tank at the same time. I figured I would share the results for what it is worth:

	Neptune Trident	Hanna	ICP (ATI)
Alkalinity	8.45	9.07	8.72
Calcium	510	-	520
Magnesium	1431	-	1403
Nitrate	-	6.5	10
Phosphate	-	0.08	0.06

Also, I wanted to ask about Iodine's role in the reef tank. I have taken 3 ICP tests since I started my tank a few years back and each time my Iodine was low. The last result was about 0.01 and it recommends 0.06. What would cause chronicly low Iodine like this? My tank is healthy now, but I have definitely had my challenges in the past with SPS. I am wondering if Iodine in some way is playing a role. Does anyone have a dosing regime for Iodine specifically?

Dan_P · Oct 18, 2021

2_much_junk_in_the_sump said:
I tested my water using 3 different methods all taken from the tank at the same time. I figured I would share the results for what it is worth:

Neptune Trident
Hanna
ICP (ATI)
Alkalinity
8.45
9.07
8.72
Calcium
510
-
520
Magnesium
1431
-
1403
Nitrate
-
6.5
10
Phosphate
-
0.08
0.06

Also, I wanted to ask about Iodine's role in the reef tank. I have taken 3 ICP tests since I started my tank a few years back and each time my Iodine was low. The last result was about 0.01 and it recommends 0.06. What would cause chronicly low Iodine like this? My tank is healthy now, but I have definitely had my challenges in the past with SPS. I am wondering if Iodine in some way is playing a role. Does anyone have a dosing regime for Iodine specifically?

Thanks for the data dump. Numbers look like they are pretty much in agreement. I can’t comment on the iodine question.

Billldg · Oct 18, 2021

I do know, and, have read somewhere that Iodine does play a major role even though its a trace element. I wish I knew were I read it as it was from a respected member of the saltwater community. I just doses 10ml over a 2 day period as my Triton test showed the last 2 times that I was at 0. That being said, I will not chase numbers as that can lead to more issues.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 19, 2021

I am not convinced that most ordinary corals and macroalgae need supplemental iodine, but here are two of my articles that detail exactly what uses iodine for what purpose:

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I

This first article will cover what is known about iodine in the oceans, including what forms it takes and how toxic these forms are, what organisms use it, how they obtain it, and what they use it for. It will also detail some issues around iodine measurement and what natural sources of iodine...

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