zero iodine killing cleaner shrimp

[garycarr]

I have tested for iodine using 3 different test kits with the SeaChem kit being the best so far. When using the iodine reference that comes with the kit I can get the correct color with 8 drops of solution. When testing my water I can not get any color and have gone up to 20 drops. I do have a hair algea problem and am running SeaChem phosphate remover in my sump. I will be ordering a secondary cleanup crew but I need to get my iodine levels back up as my shrimp are dying, guessing due to not being able to molt.
Am I right in my thinking that inverts and the coral's algea need iodine to survive?

 

[garycarr]

But does'nt Iodine help the the symbiotic algae living in the coral?

 

[bang guy]

Shrimp do not use Iodine for molting in any way. If they are dying it is for some other reason.

 

[garycarr]

Hmm, so why add or maintain iodine levels?

 

[garycarr]

I have read the following or similar statements on this site and all over the Internet. Folk Lure maybe?
In the "hobbiest" sector of reefkeeping, Iodine has been found to benefit soft corals, assist in calcification in stony corals, and enable crustaceans to molt properly.

 

[bang guy]

You can force Crustaceans to molt using Iodine, it doesn't really "enable" them though.
"Hmm, so why add or maintain iodine levels?"
Good question. I don't but many hobbiests with stunning reefs do. I find it too dangerous for no known benefit. Perhaps in the future a study will be done to show what it's actually needed for and I will change my mind. For now my tank gets all of its Iodine through water changes and fish food.

 

[sebae0]

i test and dose with iodine, the only reason is because when my finger and cabbage leathers tend to shrink up and get a glazed donut look to them my iodine is really low or gone. at this point i dose to get it back into normal range and they both perk right back up, its been working good so far with no problems anybody else have similiar experiences.

 

[david t.]

I was told that only the advanced marine aquarist should use straight iodine because it is so strong and you could crash your tank if not careful. but if you wanted to use any use iodide it is not a strong as pure iodine and verry hard to over dose the tank.