Iodine dosage for anemones

[D-Nak]

I've read in a few places that when adding an anemone, it's good to boost up the iodine levels. I've never supplemented iodine when I had BTAs and they thrived, but now that I have a gigantea, I want to provide it with the most optimal conditions possible.

What do people recommend as the optimal level of iodine and the best way to dose? Should this be an elevated level (vs. NSW)? Is this something that can be taken care of with standard water changes?

Also, how do I test? Which test kit would be most appropriate? My understanding is that some kits don't offer a "complete" test for iodine.

On a more granular level, I'm trying to get an understanding of how anemones use iodine. It's easy to understand the impact of calcium supplementation with SPS, so I'm trying to get that same understanding with iodine and anemones.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rhdoug]

I've had a sebae for 9 years and never dosed iodine. I wouldn't think it is needed.

 

[garygb]

Like rhdoug, I've had the same H. magnifica for 10 years now and I don't dose iodine either. I would do regular partial water changes (20%/month) and provide high flow, high light, monitor nitrates and keep them as low as possible, preferably undetectable, maintain sg of 1.026-1.027, normal reef temps (80-82F) and forget the dosing.

 

[jeffm59]

Check this thread on gigs - page 7 - post 151 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2049556&highlight=liveaquaria+gigantea

I recently picked up a new gig that was badly bleached, I had started dosing iodide a few days before picking it up based on the information from that thread. Within a few hours, the mouth was completely closed, it attached, and has been eating vigorously. So far I am a believer, as bad as the survival rate is, I think you need to try everything in your tool kit.

I have multiple nems in other tanks but I only dose the system with the gig

 

[sjwitt]

Iodine levels 'should' be stable if you do regular water changes with quality salt. Iodine levels 'should' be .06 and you should never dose it without testing. Iodine also helps the color of other corals but can be lethal if you overdose. I've used a couple of iodine test kits, currently using Red Sea and I like it the best. I have measured my iodine at .09 on occasion (different test than Red Sea) and nearly went into a massive water change UNTIL I just looked at the tank... everything seemed to be doing really well so I let it be. I suspect the test result was wrong so don't take this as me saying boost iodine to higher than recommended levels. I've checked it since and my levels are .06 and everything still looks good. I do supplement a very little between water changes because I have a LOT of coral and several anemones and only do a 10% WC every couple of weeks.

 

[sjwitt]

Iodine levels 'should' be stable if you do regular water changes with quality salt. Iodine levels 'should' be .06 and you should never dose it without testing. Iodine also helps the color of other corals but can be lethal if you overdose. I've used a couple of iodine test kits, currently using Red Sea and I like it the best. I have measured my iodine at .09 on occasion (different test than Red Sea) and nearly went into a massive water change UNTIL I just looked at the tank... everything seemed to be doing really well so I let it be. I suspect the test result was wrong so don't take this as me saying boost iodine to higher than recommended levels. I've checked it since and my levels are .06 and everything still looks good. I do supplement a very little between water changes because I have a LOT of coral and several anemones and only do a 10% WC every couple of weeks.

 

[Creetin]

I can tell when my iodine gets low as my yuma's dont expand as much or start to shrink.