Iodine additive question

[ronsouth]

Hope someone can help. I just bought some Xenia and the lfs said to add lots of iodine as a supplement. Does anyone know if regular household iodine can be used and how do you use it?? or do i have to buy the expensive stuff from the lfs.

 

[bennyhill]

IF you do reg.. water changes and check levels once a week or two they'll do fine Xenia are nice corals .By the way reef iodide is not expensive around $7. for 16 oz. Some good filter feeding food will help (Marine Snow 16.oz around $8 or $9) a little goes a long way.
I WOULDENT PUT HOUSEHOLD IODIDE IN A TANK better safe then sorry

 

[moneyman]

Unless you know the chemistry & concentration of the household iodine, dont use it. Take the 'add lots of iodine' suggestion with care. Too much iodine will nuke your tank. Get a iodine test kit as a starter. Iodine is not expensive. You only need a few drops of cencentrated iodine per week.
Xenia is wierd, it either lives and 'spreads like weed' or suffers a slow demise. No one knows what causes it to die. There are hypothesis about iodine, lighting, temperature, 'dirty water', and etc.