Corals require iodine as a de-toxifier, as a protection against uv-radiation and as a natural defence against many parasites.
Iodine is present in Natural Sea Water (NSW) in a very low concentration (0.06 mg/l or 0.06 ppm) and occurs as iodide, iodate, molecular iodine and hypoiodite.
Generally when we say iodine we mean one or more iodine species without a clear distinction being made. NSW contains predominantly iodate and, to a lesser extent, iodide. There is, however, a misconception amongst many hobbyists that iodide predominates in NSW. Research by Salifert and a number of universities has proved this to be untrue, and has shown that it is predominantly iodate which appears in NSW and this is used by algae (photo synthetic corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae which are, in fact, algae).
Salifert's Natural Iodine supplement contains iodate and also some iodide in similar proportions found in NSW. Both are present as their calcium and magnesium salts because Salifert's research has shown that iodate is complexed with calcium and magnesium in NSW. Another advantage of using these salts is that, unlike when potassium or sodium salts are used, no ionic imbalance is created.
Salifert stands alone in offering such an advanced, reliable and well thought-out formulation.
