Adding Iodine for Invertebrates

LeanneP · #1 10-25-2012, 01:37 AM

If I am doing weekly water changes of about 15 percent is it still a good idea to add iodine as well for my invertebrates? I have cleaner shrimp and pepper mints that do fine without adding extra but I have not had any luck with coral banded shrimp.
Leanne

FragIt Dan · #2 10-25-2012, 02:43 AM

I would not expect iodine would solve your problems. Your weekly water changes should take care of any supplementation needs until you get lots of stoney corals. As for your CB shrimp... sometimes it is just luck

. Perhaps you could tell us what is happening to them? Limb loss, just disappearing overnight... ???

George · #3 10-25-2012, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeanneP

If I am doing weekly water changes of about 15 percent is it still a good idea to add iodine as well for my invertebrates? I have cleaner shrimp and pepper mints that do fine without adding extra but I have not had any luck with coral banded shrimp.
Leanne

There is no reason to add iodine into our tanks. The artificial salt, in addition to the foods we feed our critters with, are high on iodine. Majority of our tanks have iodine level that is higher than that of NSW. Don't believe me, read the following article by Ron Shimek.
http://www.dtplankton.com/articles2.html

Beside, iodine helps shrimps molt is a misunderstanding. Iodine is toxic to shrimps. They molt in order to get rid of excess iodine in their bodies, among other functions.

monocus · #4 10-25-2012, 04:10 AM

i haven't added iodide for months since i got my checker.using seachem reef salt,and it's always very high

chris88 · #5 10-25-2012, 02:26 PM

Certain soft corals will uptake iodine into their tissues. Xenia and zoanthids are and example. It won't hurt to dose some iodine but use less then the recommend amount and I wouldnt dose if it were just for a couple of shrimp.

subman · #6 10-25-2012, 03:33 PM

never add anything you are not testing 4

Salt2Death · #7 10-25-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subman

never add anything you are not testing 4

+1

Totally agree, if your adding it, you need to test for it-

Sent Via The Pirate Ship...

LeanneP · #8 10-25-2012, 04:17 PM

I've had a couple of coral banded shrimp and each time when they molt they lose limbs and die. My other shrimp I have never had any problems with. What else would be causing this if it is not low iodine?

Leanne

George · #9 10-25-2012, 05:53 PM

LOL, iodine test kit. Generally I agree that you should test before you dose anything. But from what I have heard, hobby iodine test kits are all garbage. At the mean time, we just have to trust what the good doctor said.
To OP, probably feed them a variety of foods to ensure they have all their nutrients necessary for a good molt. Also keeping different kinds of shrimp in the same tank might not be a good idea. They may try to get to each others. Shrimps are most vulnerable during molting. Good luck!

chris88 · #10 10-25-2012, 06:49 PM

Most test kits do not work. Other the cal, alk, ph, nitrate, phosphates most are inaccurate. Iodine or mag of most elements are get in accurate its mush better to just have An understanding of what is being removed and add back what's needed. I have dosed just about every element under the sun and have never tested for anything other then cal or alk. I have perfectly healthy growing sps colonies and I do not have any corals, fish, or inverts die or become unhealthy from dosing any elements.