Dosing Iodine

[Willie_6]

Does anyone here supplement your tank with Iodine? I have some shrimp and have read that it helps with the molting process. I believe it helps some corals as well. Does anyone know if this is a good idea?

 

[Frick-n-Frags]

IF you test for I and it is low, then dose.

Otherwise, your waterchanges will keep it square.

When I had a bunch of gorgs and was propping them, I was part of the iodine and phyto set. I tried no I and no phyto after a while and I noticed no difference. Also, I had a raging herd of Xenia at the time (50-100. when I got near 100, I would sell/trade/give away 50 heads, and this was every couple of months) and still had no I problems.

I file iodine dosing with phyto and blue-legged hermits as useless

too much I helps them molt too much. they molt when they are ready just fine.

 

[davocean]

Usually you have enough iodine just from salt doing water changes.
More times than not, dosing iodine results in excessive molting and possibly death of shrimp.
If you don't test for it, don't add it.

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9521626#post9521626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
Usually you have enough iodine just from salt doing water changes.
More times than not, dosing iodine results in excessive molting and possibly death of shrimp.
If you don't test for it, don't add it.

I agree with davocean. Molting is one mechanism of ridding their systems of excessive levels of iodine. There is plenty added in salts, which doesn't include what is added daily in feeding (or however often you happen to feed). Dietary iodine is what shrimp, etc. need, so as long as they are well fed with proper foods, they are likely to get all they require.