The Seachem Reef Iodide Saltwater Conditioner for Aquariums is an essential component for invertebrates and many soft corals (gorgonians, sarcophytons, etc). Reef IodideTM is a concentrated (8,000 mg/L) stabilized potassium iodide source for reef aquariums that will restore and maintain iodide levels to natural seawater levels. It is designed to provide a safe source of iodide that will not degrade into toxic-free iodine in storage or on the reef. Iodine is just as dangerous as chlorine and should never be used in a reef system. Iodide, on the other hand, is as safe as chloride.
Most iodine supplements on the market are simply potassium iodide or Lugol's Solution, a medicinal disinfectant. Lugol's is a toxic, highly concentrated iodine/iodide solution used for disinfection. Although such products are sold for use in reef aquariums, we believe the risks far outweigh any minor benefits.
Reef Iodide is formulated to provide a safe source of iodide that will not convert to toxic free iodine under storage or reef conditions.
Potassium iodide-only products are a safer alternative, but due to the unstable nature of iodide in the aquarium environment, they are ineffective on their own. Iodide becomes unstable in an aquarium environment, converting to elemental iodine (which is biocidal), iodate (which is useless to corals, toxic at high levels, and cannot be tested for), and iodide, which is the only form of iodine available to corals for uptake. The inherent instability of these products makes them potentially hazardous to coral health. Reef IodideTM, unlike competing products, is complexed to a stabilizing compound in order to remain in the iodide form when added to the aquarium. All of the product is still usable and bio-available.
