dosing tank with iodine/dipping coral in iodine

[peckhead]

I have a couple of questions about iodine and corals.
First problem i have is, my toad stool. The bottom HALF of the 'trunk' or 'stalk' of the toadstool is kinda brown rather then the pinker other half and pink head. It is not supposed to look like this and Im not sure why it does but it always has looked like this. My LFS told me to put iodine in my tank and that it is great for lps and shrimp. Is this a bad idea?
Second, if i did buy iodine, what is a good brand? Kent tech I? and if that is the best kind to get, is that the same type of iodine that i can use to dip corals before i put them into my tank?
thanks in advance

 

[peckhead]

bump

 

[teen]

ive heard small amounts of iodine is good for corals like xenia, but i wouldnt use it for daily dosing. maybe a drop or 2 a week or even bi-weekly. you shouldnt be doisng it unless your testing for it anyways. too much iodine can be very toxic to an aquarium.
and elevated iodine levels just cause shrimp to molt faster, which isnt a good thing.

 

[swalchemist]

Iodine is dangerous IMO, if you cannot test it do not add it. You can cause serious problems in the stability of your system by adding to much. Just do your regular water changes and you are adding all the trace elements including iodine that you would need on your system. If you feel you must add something add either Coral Accel or Kent Essential Elements, I have had no problems with these ever.

 

[jonthefishguy]

Originally Posted by SWAlchemist
Iodine is dangerous IMO, if you cannot test it do not add it.

You can test for Iodine and Iodide. The test kits are readily available and are generally around 15 to 30 dollars.

 

[jmick]

Generally speaking, if you do regular water changes you shouldn't have to add iodine or iodide.

 

[snaredrum]

I have used Kent Tech I for 1 year now with no problems. There is a noticeable difference in my coral appearance and growth. I just wouldn't overdose. Use less than it says is my rule of thumb.

 

[swalchemist]

There are other traces that yield false positives such as iodide. Go with Salifert if you need a kit, it should be the closet to accurate.

 

[flricordia]

I started using Kent's Iodine, Kent's moly/stront and liquid calcium when I started reef keeping in the early 90's and have used them without fail since. I have always dosed daily, the iodine @ 4 drops per 25gls give or take a drop per coral load. I have always had great success with my reef tanks, coral coloration and health.
latest 14gl going since Aug 06

 

[peckhead]

i do keep up with regular water changes and my levels that i do test for are on point. the reason i ask about dosing iodine is because my lfs says i should dose some iodine to get rid of the brown on my toadstool and that it is good for leathers...any thoughts on that specifically?

 

[peckhead]

Originally Posted by peckhead
i do keep up with regular water changes and my levels that i do test for are on point. the reason i ask about dosing iodine is because my lfs says i should dose some iodine to get rid of the brown on my toadstool and that it is good for leathers...any thoughts on that specifically?
bump

 

[swalchemist]

Just do your regular water changes you wont need anything in further IMO. Your toadstool could be shedding also thats normal and nothing to wory about.

 

[peckhead]

it is always shedding but it never sheds away the brown on the base...

 

[anonome]

My toadstool, figi yellow, and spaghetti leather are brown at the base also. Have been for about 2 years now. I wouldn't worry about it as long as it is not slimey....like stringy, this could be an infection. But, if it is just brown in color and the coral is doing fine leave well enough alone. Probably just zooathelea congregating in one area.
My brown looks like the diatoms that are in a new tank. I know this not much of a discription, but the best I can think of. If it looks like this, I would say it is ok as long as you are keeping up on water changes.
I do not dose for iodine, just what is in my salt mix. I do my water change every Friday, so once a week.

 

[peckhead]

ok. i will leave the leather alone and i guess oyur right, it is probably fine.
but when im getting new corals, what should i be dipping in? can you suggest a brand?

 

[anonome]

I am a big fan of Seachem products. Use Seachem Reef Dip. 1 gallon of tank water to 1 capful of dip (seperate container of course, never in tank). I dip all new corals and any that are not up to par. It is a wonderful dip for removing any pests also. Wouldn't hurt to dip this coral just to be sure, but I honestly think it is just fine.
Can't tell you how many times a nice coral has pests....this dip has definately saved my tank.