Growth in corals in just two months Part 2

[Acronuts]

By the way guys,
Here is my tank stats
125g
3/ 175 MH's, 2/ 96 wtt actinics
Water changes every 3 weeks @ 25%
Dose Kalk every 3rd day
Dose two part kent A/B every 1st, 2nd, day
Dose Logol's solution at a rate of 3 drops day 1 and 2, 2 drops day 3 and 4, 1 drop day 5


Taken on 11/18/08 Florenscent green Pocillopora

Taken 01/18/09

Taken 11/11/08 Meteor shower coral

Taken 01/18/09

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

...
Dose Logol's solution at a rate of 3 drops day 1 and 2, 2 drops day 3 and 4, 1 drop day 5...

Be careful with that. Make sure you're testing for iodine while dosing.

 

[Acronuts]

HI Kurt,
What concerns you by the dosing? I see the corals opening up and look great. But at least your concern triggered that should get a iodine test kit. Any particular brand?

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

I've no experience with iodine tests (since I don't dose it), so I can't really recommend one. But I've always been happy with Salifert kits.

My concerns are on a couple fronts...

I've read more accounts of people overdosing iodine than any other element, even when they're dosing in amounts far less than directed on the bottle. It's a slow buildup over time, and the coral doesn't use it up fast enough. Here's a good article:

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

The other concern is the timing of your water changes. Three weeks is kind of pushing it, in my opinion. And with dosing iodine, it might be too little water over too long of time to get rid of the excess iodine. My point is that it could take months to get to poisonous levels of iodine, but you could slowly be ratcheting up the levels.

One of the few cardinal rules in reefkeeping I've found: If you dose it, then you'd better be testing for it.

PS... Nice coral growth, by the way! Obviously, things are happy in your tank right now! I just bring up the iodine issue because it could be an issue down the road if you aren't watching for it.

 

[Acronuts]

Kurt I like your rule, " if you are dosing it, then you'd better be testing for it."
I will read the article as well thanks.