macro algae

[shiby1510]

I have began to add kent marine iodine to my tank every other day for my chaeto macro algae... is this good to do to help it grow and thrive better?? could this kent marine iodine affect my tank in any way? such as if too much is added?? and lastly should I add anything else to help my macros grow better?

 

[jjlittle]

iodine added is ok but you need to test your water for iodine and monitor it dont add anything with out the proper test kit for it. I added iodine and went by the bottle and lost xenia & 3/4 of my macro died in one day. Be careful......

 

[shiby1510]

Thanks for the heads up

What level should I keep my Iodine at?
Also does iodine have any relationship to ammonia?? My ammonia was low.. and it has risen.. it was near 0 and now it has been at 1.0 for about a week

... my tank has been cycling for about 7 weeks now.. and I'm really itching to get some critters! would a water change perahps fix this?

 

[shiby1510]

bump :notsure:

 

[eoalulavis]

i really don't see chemically how I would effect ammonia directly but will be interesting to see what others have to say. (obviously indirectly species die off - ammonia increase)

 

[speg]

Iodine really shouldnt effect macroalgae.. where did you hear that from?
Try some Iron and Manganese. Thats plant fertilizer at its finest.
I hate to say what my job is.. but I spray lawns/shrubs with fertilizer and we always use Iron/Manganese when treating plants/grass... they love it and so do underwater plants

 

[speg]

Also I just noticed you said you're adding iodine every other day??????? Please read the instructions on those bottles bro I am pretty sure that normal Kent Iodine says to use it once a week.. and Kent Tech-I says use once a week for like 2 weeks then decrease the dosage to half each week after that...
If you stick to the instructions you may not need to test.. but you really still should.
Also what size is your tank? When you do weekly/bi-weekly water changes and you use new salt chemicals like iodine is IN the new water.. so you add iodine into your tank when you change waters... in a big tank with lots of coral/inverts that use iodine you may need to add for better success.. but if you have a small tank and you're doing your weekly/biweekly water changes as you should be then you really dont have to add the stuff at all anyways!

 

[shiby1510]

My tank is still cycling.. it's been cycling for close to 8 weeks now
And the guy who sold me the chaeto said that he doses with iodine .. and it helps it grow... I have seen a lot of growth since I have started... and actually on the bottle it says for algae growth..
i'm not sure tho?? :notsure:

 

[speg]

Originally Posted by shiby1510
My tank is still cycling.. it's been cycling for close to 8 weeks now
And the guy who sold me the chaeto said that he doses with iodine .. and it helps it grow... I have seen a lot of growth since I have started... and actually on the bottle it says for algae growth..
i'm not sure tho?? :notsure:
Chaeto 'should' grow out of control even if you didnt add anything This guy saying iodine helps it... I just dont see how.
Could you write down exactly what the bottle says? I dont remember iodine saying anything about algae...
Also make sure you stop adding it every other day omg. hehe.

 

[shiby1510]

Yes I stopped adding every other day... but here it is..
This is kent marine concentrated iodine.. btw
Concentrated Iodine Supplement replaces iodine needed for proper growth and health of invertebrates and algae.

 

[speg]

Weird. Anyways go buy iron trust someone who works with plants daily

 

[shiby1510]

Okay thanks... do you think its necessary tho?? because my macro is growing well.. or would this make it grow 10x faster?? and would it be worth it?? and also should i get it as a liquid or get some kind of mix that has a bunch of stuff in it including iron.. any suggestions?
p.s. is there anything i can do to get this cycle to finish?? my ammonia is still at 1 and it's been almost 8 weeks... i was cycling with lr and biozyme... i had to take the raw shrimp out after a few days in because it smelled soo bad.

 

[speg]

Originally Posted by shiby1510
Okay thanks... do you think its necessary tho?? because my macro is growing well.. or would this make it grow 10x faster?? and would it be worth it?? and also should i get it as a liquid or get some kind of mix that has a bunch of stuff in it including iron.. any suggestions?
p.s. is there anything i can do to get this cycle to finish?? my ammonia is still at 1 and it's been almost 8 weeks... i was cycling with lr and biozyme... i had to take the raw shrimp out after a few days in because it smelled soo bad.
Cut the iodine off for a while.. see how the chaeto grows without anything.. if its growing fine dont even worry about iron... maybe nitrates/phosphates in your water will give it enough fertilizer
How many lbs of liverock? What kinda filtration do you have? How many lbs of livesand? What animals do you have in there right now?
8 weeks shoulda been plenty of time... somethings up... you feel confident that your test kits are correct? Try taking your water to a lfs and have them test your water? Whats your nitrite reading at?.... thats enough questions for now!

 

[shiby1510]

I have about 10 lbs of lr from the lfs the rest is diy... in total I probably have around 30lbs or some more... but of course the diy is not exactly live yet... ahh filteration.. none... live sand.. i just used oldcastle.. i was told that lr can seed the sand.. but i was thinking about buying some ls.. to put on the top layer to help.. I have a 4" sand bed... $60 from here is a bit much tho.. so i'm trying to find some ls for a cheaper price.. animals none.. cuz i'm waiting until cycle is complete.. although I have pods.. and some mushrooms.. I have had my water tested by myself and by my lfs which is a known lfs and it is still not finished.... I'm testing my water again right now.. and i'll give the results in a few

 

[shiby1510]

Okay try and figure these readings... nitrite is 0 but ammonia is .75 and this is what has been getting to me.. I don't understand.. and I know that they both relate to each other... there may be a little nitrite but it looks real close to 0 ... the ammonia has gone down a bit since the past couple days... but i still don't understand...
p.s. to add to the list I also have a 22g sump/fuge with macro
one more thing.. should i use prefilters on my return pump and overflow?
thanks for all of the help

 

[shiby1510]

bump ??? :notsure: