I'm not fretting over iodine...

I see a lot on iodine, iodide, iodate, etc. For years and years in many different tanks I have used Kent's Iodide supplement (as per directions) and in that time have never taken one test. All inverts have done well, most corals grown sometimes at too fast-a-rate and crustaceans molted on a regular basis. Why all the concern and testing? Is there something I am missing and need to buy a test kit and start testing?

 

yes iodide or iodine in high level is poison for inhabitants!!

 

It's been said that after a certain point (that I don't know offhand) iodine and its ionic forms can become toxic, especially to inverts. It's also absorbed at a good rate by certain creatures too. (that I don't recall any good examples offhand, but then google surely does) IMO: The best thing is to keep the paramaters as close to real sea water as you can.

 

I guess Kent's Iodide must do what it is supposed to do. As I said I have used it since I started reef tanks and have never seen any problems. I have always taken the recommended dosage and broken it down into droplets per day. I was looking at a test kit today when I was getting the sand, rock and such for my hitchhiker pistol shrimp's new 5gl tank, so I think I will get it tomorrow and start testing.
The only tank right now I am using it on is a 240 which I maintain once a week for a friend. 10 drops per day. The tank is looking better each time I go check on it with hard and soft corals growing.
Before the 240 she had a 75corner and after Ivan for some reason she started using 3 capfuls instead of 3 drops. I noticed many corals dieing and only after much interrogation did I find out what she was doing. Needless to say she refers to her daily task sheet every morning now. So I do know that over-dosage can be detrimental.
In my nano I am trying Kent's Nano Reef formula, but so far I don't think I am getting as good results as when I have added calcium, strot/moly, iodine and iron as individual components. I'll probably give it some more time.

 

All you need to know or we know about "Iodine"

Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I
Chemistry and the Aquarium

Iodine in Reef Tanks 2: Effects on Macroalgae Growth
Chemistry and the Aquarium

 

Iodine is a very important supplement that is depleted very quicky by protein skimmers, filter feeders, corals as well as inverts. Therefore the addition of iodine over and above that added when performing a water change is crucial for the success of a tank and its inhabitants. Whether it be to reduce the possibility of coral bleaching or disease/infection, or to aid in invert molting or healing properties/antibiotic, iodine is one of many necessary components working together to create a successful saltwater tank...

 

I will have to disagree with all of that completely. Many people never dose iodine in any form and have no such issues and are just as successful. Shrimp, etc. do not need iodine in the water column, they get it from their food. If you read Randy's article he recommends not need to sup iodine. The only need for iodine sup's is if you have and raise allot of macro algae. The need to sup iodine in a reef tank is just another myth and sales scheme

 

Let's not forget the skimming and water changes, so I dont think the Iodine will ever pile up to toxic levels if the tank is safely dosed and mantained. I have never tested in my 1 year of my reef, zero problems.

 

If you have macro-algea, that would be Iron.

 

It's actually both Iron and Iodine.