For reef aquariums and aquariums containing shrimp and other molting animals, as well as soft corals. This is our new formulation, introduced in July of 1996.
Iodine is a very important supplement for reef aquariums and aquariums that contain molting animals. It greatly assists in that process and is required for the molting to take place properly. If you have shrimp that molt, and their new shell after molting is soft, you may safely deduce that you do not have enough nearly iodine in the water. Also if the molting shows that parts of the body are missing (usually misformed or missing claws or parts thereof), you can also deduce that not enough iodine/iodide is present in the water.
Note that iodine is most important for soft corals as well, and that many non-stony corals greatly benefit from its addition too. The importance of adding iodine may very well have been overlooked for too long. You can put an end to that immediately by using our supplement. Examples of corals that really are very sensitive to the lack of iodine includes _Xenia_ _Cladiella_ and _Sarcophyton_. There are, however, many more.
Because iodine is very volatile and because iodine is also an oxidizing agent, it cannot be mixed with other products that we, or other companies manufacture, that contain organic materials and elements.
We really wish we could add it to Liquid Gold to make the latter even more complete, unfortunately this can chemically not be achieved. Iodine would adversely react with other compounds already contained in Liquid Gold, reducing the efficiency of the product. Alternatively to do so we would have to sell chelated iodine and we do not wish to do so because of the many unknowns still associated with the use of chelators (not to speak of the fact that several chelators are phosphate based).
Such reactions would destroy the benefits that you now can derive from the use of Liquid Gold addition. Moreover, in the process of reacting with these compounds, the iodine itself would also be chemically destroyed, meaning that it would be of no use to your system and the animals in it. This supplement must therefore be added to your tank separately. There is no way around it. Our own experience has proven that this is the best way to manage the addition of iodine based on the results obtained.
Depending on the amount of shrimp, crustaceans, corals and the like you that have in the aquarium you may wish to use it 2 or 3 times a week, at the rate described on the label. It is a most important additive for all tanks that is unfortunately often overlooked by hobbyists because they cannot see immediate results when using it.
Here is my personal recommendation for the addition of our Iodine:
In all cases add 1 drop per 12.5 gallons of water, using the frequency outlined above based on the biological load in your tank.
Iodine cannot be added to an automatic filling system, or a system that dispenses chemicals into the aquarium by means of a dosing or metering pump. The reason for this is the same as the one described above: the chemical reactions that would take place between iodine and other elements/chemicals in the mixture that you are dispensing.
To avoid chemical reactions with pollutants in the air, and with the air itself, always close the dropper bottle immediately after using your iodine supplement. This will greatly extend the life of the product.
Under normal conditions Thiel Aqua Tech Iodine has a shell life of about 6 months, which can be extended by several months by keeping your bottle in your refrigerator. By normal conditions we mean keeping the bottle closed and at room temperature. Iodine's nature as a chemical is responsible for its short lifespan. It has nothing to do with the manufacturing or the raw materials used in the process.
Should you have any questions regarding Iodine, please send us eMail