Iodide supplement for ornamental shrimp in all planted aquaria
Overview
- Copper free and shrimp safe.
- Provides iodide, utilized by crustaceans (shrimp, lobsters, and crabs) to molt or shed their exoskeleton, enabling the crustacean to grow.
- Formulated specifically for ornamental freshwater and brackish water crustaceans maintained in planted and/or biotope aquaria.
- Helps prevent iodine-deficient issues in fish, such as goiter, by providing this critical element in a time-released form.
- Used in conjunction with the appropriate Florin supplements, helps establish and maintain proper water chemistry in planted and community freshwater aquaria.
Technical Background
Shrimp, lobsters, and crabs share in common an exoskeleton composed of a chitin/calcium carbonate composite material. The growth of crustaceans involves secretion of a new exoskeleton and molting of the old one; early life stages of crustaceans undergo constant molting to arrive at the adult stage, whereupon molting continues throughout the specimen’s adult life, albeit at a lower frequency. Iodine addition to closed aquatic systems housing crustaceans has been consistently shown to elicit molting in specimens that had not done so previously.
Florin-I provides iodine and iodide, the former in a time-release low-level method, the latter as a free ion. For optimal results, ensure that crustaceans receive appropriate foods and that the water chemistry in the aquarium is maintained within the proper respective ranges. TDS/General hardness, alkalinity, and elements that improve crustacean coloration and food utilization are provided by Florin Delta GH+, Florin Delta KH+, NeoTiger KH+/GH+, or Caridina GH+ and FlorinMulti, respectively.
Does not require refrigeration. Not impacted by temporary freezing.
Instructions and Guidelines
Shake product for 3 - 5 seconds before each use. Begin dosing by adding 1/2 capful or 2.0 ml or 1 pump per 8 US-gallons (30 L) in the aquarium every day for a period of 10 days. If no molting occurs, then dosage may be increased by 2 ml or 2/5 capful or one pump additional per 16 US-gallons every day. Once crustacean molts, continue dosing rate and volume for an additional 5 days, then decrease to 2.0 ml or 2/5 capful per 30 US-gallons (114 L) every day for 30-days. Thereafter, dose the standard dose of 2 ml per 30 gallons twice a week. If equipped with a pump, pump is 2 ml.
Daily dosing is critical to eliciting the molting process. Crustaceans often hide for several days after molting to avoid confrontations with rivals or predators while their exoskeleton hardens to normal strength. Calcium is very important to chitin formation in crustaceans, and is provided by Florin Delta GH+, NeoTiger KH+/GH+, or Caridina GH+. To benefit crustaceans, simply use that product as directed on the label to maintain proper calcium content in the aquarium for plant health. Water with very low TDS (<150 ppm or ~3 dGH) and/or low carbonate hardness (alkalinity) inhibits the formation and hardening of chitin.
Health and longevity of all captive aquatic organisms, including crustaceans, depends upon proper feeding and maintaining water temperature and chemistry within required ranges. Florin-I will not elicit molting unless the resident crustaceans have the necessary nutrients provided by feeding and are in good overall health.
Caution: Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.
