Eco Bio Block

[Mystix212]

Has anyone ever heard of these?
The Eco Bio Block is a new additon to the aquarium world with this here bio block. Made in Japan, it's pretty much live rock and concrete infused with beneficial bacteria. When this species of bacteria is out of water, it forms into its dormant state. Capable of living without water of a maximum of 5 years, although debateable.
What you do is just buy one of these (Different sizes for tanks/ponds) and simply place it near a current, inside your tank, crushed inside your filter, or even simply placed inside your sump.
It is said to do wonders with filtration, and only need replacing every 1-2 years. Even to the extent of "Reducing the water change schedule". Priced at $48 for a small .75Kg block, it is well worth the money. Big 'wave' blocks weighing in at 10.5 Kg can cost hundreds.
Japan even uses these blocks in estuarys, rivers and canals to purify the water from excessive pollution. These have been used in Japan for 16 years or so.

I have written a brief overview of this product, only because I cannot remember everything I was told about these.

 

[rjmtx]

Seems like overkill for a fish tank when a good ol sponge filter can do the same thing for a fraction of the price. The whole "reducing water change schedule" thing always makes me leary, too.

 

[Bderick67]

Without a link, this is all just here say. Sounds interesting, but to reduce water changes it would have to consume nitrates. Really would like to see a link on this.

 

[Bderick67]

Wow this stuff is the magic cure all, not only does it digest nitrates, it eraticates the ecoli virus and wards off mosquitoes

Here's a link http://www.junomultimedia.com/a3m/octagon

I'll never have to do another water change again

 

[Zinq]

E.coli is a Bacteria. Sorry had to point that out, as a microbiologist. It would've bugged me too much.

 

[riffraffxl]

I followed the link and the product assumes you have plants to remove nitrates, according to their own information.

In other words, it does nothing special.

 

[rjmtx]

If these are the same people that made the Eco Aquilizer, they are snake oil salesmen. If it ain't broke...

 

[riffraffxl]

Well I keep looking at their diagrams...somehow they assume the rest of the nitrates magically disappear into the atmosphere.

It is possible to have bacteria that eat nitrates, but they typically grow only in stagnant water, which this thing cannot provide. If someone can make sense of it let me know, but they don't really explain how the nitrates disappear into the air.

 

[Mystix212]

They pretty much act as a peice of saltwater live rock, yes have a highly multiplied effect on thew water quality. In a good way. Can be placed in fresh and salt water. I do not have a link as I picked the info up during my Queensland Aquarium Hobbyist meeting last Friday. I would be a bit skeptical about using those, but out of the few people that have used them in 55G, 120G, 30G and 240G tanks, they cannot be happier. Of course, you still NEED adequate filtration. It practiclly polishes your water.

 

[Eco-fish]

Just to clarify your comments on EcoBio-Block.
Ebb was originally developed and patented in Japan to use a natural process to revitalize polluted rivers, canals, ponds and ocean, it has been modified for use in home aquarium tanks and ponds. Effective bacteria are housed together with nutrients in a live and propagable state. EcoBio-Block releases millions of grass bacillus bacteria (an extremely vigorous bacteria called bacillus subtilis natto), which multiply every half hour and degrade ammonia into nitrite, then nitrate, which is absorbed by plants and/or by microbes (which occur in gravel in established tanks). Microbes change the nitrates into nitrogen gas, which then dissipates, for a cleaner, healthier and safer aquatic environment. This dramatically reduces the need for water changes and fish can then live in the same, clear water for years. EcoBio-Block is effective in fresh or salt water and is safe for even delicate fish.
If you would like a link, please see: www.onedersave.com.