Iodine

[saltnewbee]

Read on one thread about adding iodine. then asked my lfs who says i don't need it and they don't use it. i trust you guys more than him. then read something about excess iodine causing cleaner shrimp to molt prematurly and lower life expectancy. i have a 55 gal trying to get it ready for corals. only have fish, lr, snails, crabs, and a cleaner shrimp. should i add iodine and if so how much?

 

[phixer]

Really unnecessary IMO if your using a good salt mix.

 

[granny]

I guess it would be wise to measure it, but I do add iodine when I do water changes BECAUSE a couple of my shrimp molted incompletely and died. Since I have added the iodine, no problems at all.

 

[phixer]

Iodine is found in natural seawater at .06 mg/L. It is removed by protein skimming and activated carbon. It is essential to many fish and inverts. Fish particularly sharks, jawfish and hawkfish will develop goiters (similar to the humans caused by lack of iodine production from the thyroid gland) if they receive insuffiecient iodine. Before you add any, test first. Most salt mixes contain trace ammounts and regular partial H20 changes usually keep the levels sufficient to prevent most problems, if you do add iodine, just be sure not to overdose.

 

[granny]

Phix,
I did not know what the correct level should be so that is informative. I do run a large skimmer, the Euro-Reef and activated charcoal in my sump which I change monthly so perhaps in my case, it is a necessity-think I will add one more test kit to the arsenal next time I visit my LFS.

 

[saltnewbee]

yup. im going to have to grab a test kit before i add. thanks for the info. always a big :help: as usual.

 

[phixer]

A good book is "Water chemistry for the marine aquarium" will answer a lot of questions.

 

[saltyreef7]

It depends on the corals you add my friend........