Iodine

Is it true that xenia requires iodine?, and that activated carbon will remove it from the water, if this is the case in my cannister filter i run super activated carbon 24/7 so for me the deplesion would be worse, should i stop using carbon, or just dose iodine?

 

I dont think the carbon will completely remove iodine.
And i also dont think xenia requires it as much as it is good for any corals.
Could be wrong as ive never had xenia before.

 

Xenia require nitrates and other nutrients in your water...more so than stonies(coral). Iodine and other traces etc. will be consumed and depleted quickly through increased tank bioload, carbon dosing and respiration. I dose carbon, but never a continuous thing with great success with Xeina and other soft corals and Tridacna clams especially!

 

I would first buy an Iodine test kit and see what your levels are. That is what I did when my Xenia failed. I found my Iodine was fine. And no......I do not run carbon. I should. I think it is good practice.

 

Carbon's benefits, in most people's eyes, far outweighs the negatives. The removal or organics(to an extent) smells, medications, gelbstoff(water yellowing) and so on is worth the amount of "trace" elements that are removed.

IodINE should NEVER be added!!! It is very toxic!! IoDIDE is a different story but even so, regular w/c are probably just as effective at adding the appropriate "trace" elements as supplementing. Many people use a Luguls Solution which is Potassium iodide and iodine but it is still DANGEROUS if you are going to dose it w/o testing or just adding drops regular. In my 180 I will add Lugols very IRregularly and maybe 3 drops or so at a time and my system totals maybe 230 gals or so.
Like the coral reefer stated, xenia prefers more nutrient rich waters than anything. Many people that keep the tanks nutrient devoid have problems keeping it. I guess that gives you an excuse to do a w/c every 3 weeks instead of everyother!!

Good luck