Lugol's Solution Question

[Seafan]

Wondering if there is a difference in the lugol's solution you buy in a pharmacy versus stuff at the lfs? Is it safe to do a coral dip in the pharmacy type, and if so how much lugol's to water do you use? Also read some people use the pharmacy version to supplement their tank for iodine, is this safe or would it wipe out all the beneficial bacteria because of the iodide in it as well? Or for dosing tank do you strickly use lfs iodine? If you supplement tank as well with lugol's how much do you add per gallon? Sorry if this is winded or confusing, I am just confused right now, been a long day and have a brain that is in dire need to be dipped. Thanks in advance.

[whatcaneyedo]

They are the same thing. I dont dip but I have supplemented with both although I'm not sure why anymore. Randy's gospel states that it is unnessessary. But if you do want to add you should use an iodide supplement rather than iodine. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ghlight=lugols

[Seafan]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

They are the same thing. I dont dip but I have supplemented with both although I'm not sure why anymore. Randy's gospel states that it is unnessessary. But if you do want to add you should use an iodide supplement rather than iodine. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ghlight=lugols

Thank you for letting me know they are one and the same. One of my brain corals lost 1/2 of it's tissue in the last 24 hours, and I want to try to save the remaining half, that is the only reason am looking to dip it. Have heard lots of good things about supplementing brains with this as well.
If anyone else supplements their tanks with lugol's pharmacy variety would love your input. Thanks again.

[rayjay]

As far as the dosing part goes, you will always find someone who doses some form of iodine.
However, when the great majority of people DON'T dose it, and their tanks do just as well as the ones that DO dose it, what does that tell you?
That, plus the fact that Randy's credentials to be able to say that it is not needed, speak for me at least.
There is also the old adage, if you can't test for, and find it lacking, don't dose it.
Unfortunately there are NO hobby test kits for any form of iodine, that can accurately tell you what the levels are.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by rayjay

Unfortunately there are NO hobby test kits for any form of iodine, that can accurately tell you what the levels are.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Salifert_...FITKIK-vi.html

[Seafan]

Originally Posted by fishytime

http://www.marinedepot.com/Salifert_...FITKIK-vi.html

Thanks fishytime, I guess I should have mentioned I do have a salifert test kit, and currently have normal levels of Iodine, or at least according to the tests I do. I should also add I do run a very simple 90 gallon system and do not just randomly add anything unnessarily. I have read when aquariums are leaning towards being lps and softie dominant they can have a tendancy to require additions of iodine. I guess my biggest concern was and should have more clearly stated, (I apologize for not being clearer) whether Lugol's from Pharmacy would be same as say Kent's Lugol's solution. As the Pharmacy variety was the only one my husband could find for me last night, as was direly needed to aid a dyeing brain. Thanks again.

[Reefer Rob]

I dose iodine (and iron) without testing, I have for years. I dose the recommended amount on the bottle with my Mg supplement, it makes the SPS colors brighter in my tank. If I noticed any detrimental effects I would stop... Observation is your best tool in reef keeping.

[Madreefer]

[QUOTE Observation is your best tool in reef keeping.[/quote]

I dosed iodine for years as well with no adverse effects. I no longer dose as I cant find it anymore. Other than once a month I only test when I see something wrong or out of place in my tank. This hobby/obsession is a little too time consuming to begin with.

[bkelly]

Im dosing with it -mostly LPS, I read the lighter hard corals can go blue if overdosed - i have noticed my tan/pink Monti now has some blue coloring spots so Im going to back off and see if it goes away - Ive been doing Lugos dosage as per directions