AWT results

[Todd March]

I still go with my gut over conclusive data (though they rarely conflict). I have always found dosing small amounts of iodine/iodide very helpfulâ€"particularly with shrimp and SPS corals...

More Anecdotal B.S. From Yet Another Reefer: After letting my new tank cycle fully while pristine with no trace supplements at all, I recently started dosing small amounts of iodide. The next morning after first dosing iodide, my two shrimp had molted, and one of my Acros had much bluer tips.

Concrete data is very helpful and it's always nice to have more concrete guidelines, but sometimes you just have to go by what your tanks tells you.

 

[kaskiles]

Could some of the parameters change during shipping and handling of the sample? Even though the parameters are inorganic, couldn't some chemical and biological reactions continue in the (now) totally closed system (sealed sample jar), and possible be different ones than would be seen in the open aquarium?

Are these samples sent next day air or something?

 

[rigleautomotive]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13684296#post13684296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
I still go with my gut over conclusive data (though they rarely conflict). I have always found dosing small amounts of iodine/iodide very helpfulâ€"particularly with shrimp and SPS corals...

More Anecdotal B.S. From Yet Another Reefer: After letting my new tank cycle fully while pristine with no trace supplements at all, I recently started dosing small amounts of iodide. The next morning after first dosing iodide, my two shrimp had molted, and one of my Acros had much bluer tips.

Concrete data is very helpful and it's always nice to have more concrete guidelines, but sometimes you just have to go by what your tanks tells you.

I totally agree.I am pretty anal about looking real close at my corals a few times daily and i can tell when a change i have made is making the corals look better or worse for the most part.So far i do see a positive effect from adding the iodine.PE is better and i do believe some of my more pastel acros are looking a bit darker so i will continue with dosing for now.

 

[rigleautomotive]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13684893#post13684893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kaskiles
Could some of the parameters change during shipping and handling of the sample? Even though the parameters are inorganic, couldn't some chemical and biological reactions continue in the (now) totally closed system (sealed sample jar), and possible be different ones than would be seen in the open aquarium?

Are these samples sent next day air or something?

The samples are sent priority mail so there is around two days of time they are in shipping.they say the only parameter that we are interested in that would change is ph and thats why they do not measure it.

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13684296#post13684296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Todd March
I recently started dosing small amounts of iodide. The next morning after first dosing iodide, my two shrimp had molted,

Yes iodine addition can trigger to shrimp to molt. However, it triggers the molt as a stress response. A far cry from an event that could or should be interpreted as a positive result.

 

[Boomer]

More Anecdotal B.S. From Yet Another Reefer: After letting my new tank cycle fully while pristine with no trace supplements at all, I recently started dosing small amounts of iodide. The next morning after first dosing iodide, my two shrimp had molted, and one of my Acros had much bluer tips.

I'm not sure how you guys are taking this quote but it is not BS. Iodine is needed for shrimp molting. That does not mean it has to be added to a tank, as they get it from their food. Adding iodine and raising the levels above NSW can led to excessive molting and and cause death in crustaceans. And yes that molting can happen in a day or two. You will see this in shrimp quite often in shipping, where the salinity is raised in the shipping bag, as shrimp fair better at higher salinity during shipping. The next day you will see molts in the bag. We say this at MACNA when we opened 5 bags of shrimp, 2-3 / bag, at the Foster & Smith booth. Every shrimp had molted.

As far as coral color goes adding x, y or z sup and there is a change in color is no indication what so ever that the coral "needs" that sup. This color issues not a coral need it is more of a reefer need " I like all those bright colors"


Iodine (I¯)....................................Low............................................ 0.00

I find that hard to believe, although not impossible. Of the tens of tanks tested, via ICP std methods, most reef tanks where between 1 and 50 x Iodine.

If you are looking for the most accurate and reliable PO4 kit/meter, then the HACH PO-19 or PO-24 and the LaMotte Smart Colorimeter for PO4.


As far as testing companies go, I'm more implied to go with Lab Aquatics over AWT, as LA has much better equipment by a long shot and is a real lab and the prices are about the same. AWT was started and is owned by AqauMedica, a well know aquarium company.

http://www.labaquatics.com/

Some things to read on Iodine

Iodine

Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

Iodine in Reef Tanks 2: Effects on Macroalgae Growth
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2003/chem.htm

Cliff

It would be interesting to send in two or three separate samples From the exact same source tank, in different names. Sounds like a good experiment for a Reef Society.

This has already been done and AWT failed the test Split samples, from the same water of different sample tanks, where sent to AWT and ENC Labs, a real sewater testing facility ( where is is like ~$45 / parameter)

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13686956#post13686956 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
Yes iodine addition can trigger to shrimp to molt. However, it triggers the molt as a stress response. A far cry from an event that could or should be interpreted as a positive result.

How often should shrimp molt on a "natural" level...?

 

[Boomer]

Todd is depends on the species of shrimp and to a degree water parameters. On the avg, lets say once / month.

 

[rigleautomotive]

Thanks boomer,i find 0 hard to believe also but i have seen positive results in a very short time with adding some kent iodine daily (polyp extension and color).will the salifert iodine kit give me an idea where i am at with it and what do you think of my other parameters.can you suggest any changes that may help the overall health of my corals.

 

[Boomer]

Dan, poly extension also may not mean anything. It may be the iodine is just acting as an irritant. You will see this in Xenia. You add Iodine and they pulsate. That does not mean they like it as many think. IMHO it is they are pulsating to remove the irritant. If you take the same Xenia and lower the current they will pulsate. They pulsate to increase circulation. In good current they do not need it, so they do not pulsate. Pulsating helps in removing accumulating slime/mucus.

 

[rigleautomotive]

what do you think of my other parameters.can you suggest any changes that may help the overall health of my corals.

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13687121#post13687121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomer
Todd is depends on the species of shrimp and to a degree water parameters. On the avg, lets say once / month.

Good to hear this, as the many shrimp I have kept over the last 20 years have shed anywhere from 6-12 times a year or so. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't upping their shedding anty and stressing 'em to high h*** with that nasty ol' unnecessary iodine...!

 

[Boomer]

Dan

Good current and water qaulity. Current is very important to corals especially sps corals.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Boomer, your input is much appreciated. You have cleared up quite a few things mentioned in this thread.

 

[Boomer]

That AWT-ENC test can be found here if you want to look for it. It is in a pdf format. Try a search here on, Keyword, "AWT and "Boomer" as user name.

You're welcome