Iodide supplements..which do you use?

[fish tanked]

Im curious what the rest of you think and what iodide supplements you use to what effect. I bring this up kinda as a side shoot to the coral dipping thread DMBillies started talking about iodide solution dips

Here is my two cents worth.

Ok here is what I have picked up as the difference from using a "for reef use" iodide supplement and something like Lugol's.
Iodide is ultimately what you want to have in your tank.
Problem is there is no easy way to get this chemical without a chemical reaction in your tank when you add your iodide supplement
to your reef tank. Products that you buy that are "for reef tank use" typically are some
combination of Potassium Iodide and Sodium Iodide. These break down in your tank into Potassium or Sodium and Iodide. When you use something like Lugals it is made of 'organic iodine' or 'I2'
and Potassium Iodide. I2 doesnt break down like the Potassium Iodide and Sodium Iodide it breaks down into
Iodide and and Iodate and its the iodate that causes the problem as it builds up over time and isnt needed by anything
I want growing in my tank, unless I wanted to be an algae farmer. I believe it's effects to be similar to that of excess nitrates but perhaps not as extreme...Im not real certain about that aspect of iodates.
The primary ways to convert Iodates into Iodide is with an enzyme called 'nitrate reductase' which you can get as a chemical or can occur in your tank in areas that dont get any oxygen, deep in your sand, inside porous rocks, etc. But I dont want to add a Nitrate source or have anaerobic areas.

As far as tincture of iodine I wouldnt use it as it is usually 97% alcohol and 3% iodine..

someone said something about "povidone iodine 10%" that is not what you are looking for either.
It also contains Glycerin, Nonoxynol-9 ( what does spermicide do to a reef I wonder?!?!)and Sodium Hydroxide.

Now as far as how much it really makes a difference I couldnt tell you but chemically I believe
that to be the difference between some of the different iodide supplements people use. Any thoughts? Corrections?

 

[danieljames]

I personally don't see a need for it unless you have a densely populated zoa/ric tank or something along that line. Regular water changes replace most anything a display may use cheaply and adequately imo (save for Ca in a heavily stocked sps display), with many more collateral benefits than seperate additives alone.
Additives are a major waste of money ime. It's kinda like vitamins in the human body. Save for Ca and alkalinity supplementation in a stocked sps, i can't think of a single parameter that can't be repleneshed adequately with a diligent water change regimen.

 

[KAiNE]

I'll second that Daniel,

I dont use any additives in my tanks except for Randy's Recipe's (all 3) and Kalk.

 

[rsteagall]

heh... but what if your like me and haven't changed water in your mantis shrimp tank in like 5 months?!?! lol. Funny thing is that I have less hair algae problems in there than I do in my display.

I had some fire and ice zoos in there that were telling me something wasn't quite right with the water. I started dosing Seachem Reef Complete and Kent Essential Elements... all of a sudden they perked up and showed me appreciation.

With that said, I do agree with kaine and danieljames.... but if you don't have the time or don't want to take the time... there must be a way to maximize time between water changes with dosing.

Anyone else care to share their dosing experiences?