Zoas and Iodine

[PingG25]

I've been struggling with my Zoas not opening and progressively this has become a big problem in the tank. When I've mentioned this in a number of LFS one of the two factors mentioned were Iodine and Potassium. On completing an Iodine Test the result was zero, nothing eg below 0.03. I've then tested the salt water used in the water change and that records greater than 0.3. I'm going to add Iodine with a view to increasing the levels and see if this recovers the Zoas. Any views on Zoas and or Potassium?

 

[bertoni]

Moved to New to the Hobby as more on topic here.

 

[Uncle99]

Firstly I am hoping you are talking about iodide, the reef safe form, not iodine.
Secondly, I doubt adding iodide is the problem, it's a disinfectant, but concentrations of .03-.06 can be beneficial to leathers, gorgonians and shrimps for molts.
Look for a water parameter or lighting issues, zoos are the easiest coral to keep...

 

[Uncle99]

Some say potassium is a colour enhancer.
Never seen any proof of this, just another wild dosing claim.

 

[PingG25]

My water parameters aren't off piste so don't understand the issue. Mg 1285, Ca 450, Kh 8.9, SG 1025. Phosphate ULR 0.9, PH 7.8. Generally all in all it's ok but I still have an issue with Zoas


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[Jekerry]

Are you sure you don’t have a nudibrach bothering them? Have you dipped them to check? I had one that came off after I dipped. My zoa recovered and then started to get bad again. Dipped again and a couple fell off! Dip doesn’t kill eggs so I think some eggs were still there.

 

[nereefpat]

If your tank shows zero iodine, then I would dose up to natural seawater levels, using Kent marine iodide or similar.

That may not cure your zoa problem, but it's a place to start. At one time I did have to dose iodide due to a Really big leather.

Not sure about potassium.

 

[PingG25]

Thanks! I've dipped two coral colonies with no passengers. We'll see how they respond. I'm also recovering Iodine once at its required level that will be one less variable.


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