What does Iodine have to do with crustaceans?

mhhauser321 · 03/24/2007, 08:54 PM

I had a guy ask me a question about using the kent marine iodine supplement (Link) on crustaceans and i was totally oblivious. So whats the low down on this stuff.

matt

p.s i all i know is what i read in the description

rxonco · 03/24/2007, 09:07 PM

I'm no expert on this but I was always under the impression that iodine is necessary for the formation and development of their exoskeletons.

sir_dudeguy · 03/24/2007, 09:09 PM

Pretty much what rxonco said...not positive, but i'm pretty sure i've read that on here somewhere....it helps with their molting.

mhhauser321 · 03/25/2007, 08:09 PM

is it necassary

is it something all aquarists use

kau_cinta_ku · 03/25/2007, 08:12 PM

your regular water changes is all you need to replenish your iodine. no need to add extra

dc · 03/25/2007, 09:42 PM

I've never dosed iodine myself. You start dosing some things and other problems come up.

sir_dudeguy · 03/25/2007, 09:55 PM

like dc, i dont dose it, and like kau said, your water changes take care of that anyways.

Putawaywet · 03/25/2007, 10:34 PM

As others have advised it's not necessary if you perform regular water changes.

I no longer dose Iodine as it was too difficult to properly regulate. I found that adding too much too quickly caused spontaneous molting and even death in some crustaceans.

Brett

RicksReefs · 03/26/2007, 07:51 AM

excess iodine (and other metals, etc) can settle/be incorporated on the exoskeleton and actually force a crustaecean to molt, many times prematurely. twisted legs, whiskers, or death can result.

Amphiprion · 03/26/2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RicksReefs
excess iodine (and other metals, etc) can settle/be incorporated on the exoskeleton and actually force a crustaecean to molt, many times prematurely. twisted legs, whiskers, or death can result.

This is true. Besides, most of the iodine that is required for normal physiological processes is found in the diet--there should be no need to supplement it directly into the water.

mhhauser321 · 03/26/2007, 01:43 PM

so why do they sell it at the stores if its not even neccesary and it is found in the food and in your water when you do water changes.

Travis L. Stevens · 03/26/2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mhhauser321
so why do they sell it at the stores if its not even neccesary and it is found in the food and in your water when you do water changes.

Like most commercially available products, it's just a way to get money off of suckers.

With that said, that isn't 100% true. Someone who really knows what they are doing and has a specific setup could possibly need extra Iodine. On the other hand, if they know what they are doing/testing or have such a specialized setup, I doubt that they need to rely on aquarium-industry grade chemicals.

RicksReefs · 03/26/2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mhhauser321
so why do they sell it at the stores if its not even neccesary and it is found in the food and in your water when you do water changes.

some people would rather dose things than do a water change... your LFS caters to both kinds of people...

Amphiprion · 03/26/2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Travis L. Stevens
Like most commercially available products, it's just a way to get money off of suckers.

With that said, that isn't 100% true. Someone who really knows what they are doing and has a specific setup could possibly need extra Iodine. On the other hand, if they know what they are doing/testing or have such a specialized setup, I doubt that they need to rely on aquarium-industry grade chemicals.

What instance would that be? I haven't found a single organism that is kept that needs added iodine levels beyond those added in regular water changes and food. Even in the organisms that sequester it, there is absolutely no proof that they even need it. The only thing your exception could be applicable to (that I can think of) would be a laboratory--the only place that would have the proper equipment to monitor iodine levels. IMHO, that is the only area where it has its place.

Bambalam · 03/26/2007, 04:07 PM

Just thought I would chime in with the old adage:

"Don't add any chemicals to your tank that you can't test for."

mhhauser321 · 03/26/2007, 04:33 PM

I guess i would probably be more partial to what bambalam says, i guess i am more of a old timer.

Well i might be something i might consider doing once a month in a small amount just for good health

matt

bertoni · 03/26/2007, 05:57 PM

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

That article discusses iodine. There isn't any evidence that dosing is useful in a reef tank. Iodine can be harmful, so be careful if you do choose to dose.

03/24/2007, 08:54 PM	#1
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	What does Iodine have to do with crustaceans? I had a guy ask me a question about using the kent marine iodine supplement (Link) on crustaceans and i was totally oblivious. So whats the low down on this stuff. matt p.s i all i know is what i read in the description __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

03/24/2007, 09:09 PM	#3
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	Pretty much what rxonco said...not positive, but i'm pretty sure i've read that on here somewhere....it helps with their molting. __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

03/25/2007, 08:09 PM	#4
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	is it necassary is it something all aquarists use __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

03/25/2007, 09:42 PM	#6
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	I've never dosed iodine myself. You start dosing some things and other problems come up. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

03/25/2007, 09:55 PM	#7
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	like dc, i dont dose it, and like kau said, your water changes take care of that anyways. __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

03/24/2007, 09:07 PM	#2
rxonco Reef Pharmacist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 217	I'm no expert on this but I was always under the impression that iodine is necessary for the formation and development of their exoskeletons.

03/25/2007, 08:12 PM	#5
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	your regular water changes is all you need to replenish your iodine. no need to add extra

03/25/2007, 10:34 PM	#8
Putawaywet 20 and over club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA. Posts: 2,720	As others have advised it's not necessary if you perform regular water changes. I no longer dose Iodine as it was too difficult to properly regulate. I found that adding too much too quickly caused spontaneous molting and even death in some crustaceans. Brett __________________ She ain't broke, but can we fix her more better? Current Tank Info: A big box of water with some stuff in it.

03/26/2007, 07:51 AM	#9
RicksReefs Moved On Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In America's Dangling Junk State. Posts: 6,413	excess iodine (and other metals, etc) can settle/be incorporated on the exoskeleton and actually force a crustaecean to molt, many times prematurely. twisted legs, whiskers, or death can result.

03/26/2007, 01:43 PM	#11
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	so why do they sell it at the stores if its not even neccesary and it is found in the food and in your water when you do water changes. __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

03/26/2007, 04:07 PM	#15
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	Just thought I would chime in with the old adage: "Don't add any chemicals to your tank that you can't test for."

03/26/2007, 04:33 PM	#16
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	I guess i would probably be more partial to what bambalam says, i guess i am more of a old timer. Well i might be something i might consider doing once a month in a small amount just for good health matt __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

03/26/2007, 05:57 PM	#17
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm That article discusses iodine. There isn't any evidence that dosing is useful in a reef tank. Iodine can be harmful, so be careful if you do choose to dose. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni