Maxspect Nano Tech Anaerobic Blocks.

[HUKIT]

I was placing an order today at BRS and was browsing around the website for anything else that I probably don’t need when I came across these. Maxspect Anaerobic-Blocks are designed using proprietary technology to foster the growth of anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria which reduce nitrate into nitrogen gas, completing the Nitrogen Cycle through denitrification. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole many times watching YouTube videos where people are using fired calcined clay as filter media to finish the nitrogen cycle as well and the results are always well quite non conclusive. I’m seeing more and more products such as Aqualat from Oliver Knott. So long story not short has anyone used any of these products or is it snake oil?

Nano-Tech Anaerobic-Block (2 pcs)

Natural & Low-Maintenance Nitrate Reduction Efficiently removes nitrate from aquariums Designed to stimulate growth of anaerobic bacteria Nano-ceramic, porous structure that will not degrade over time Can be used directly in sump Lasts approximately 6 months For freshwater and marine aquariums...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[triamond]

It's a scam.
1. Water will flow over it, not through it. It doesn't matter what's inside — it's just extremely overpriced for a surface medium.
2. The COD (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_oxygen_demand) in a well-filtered aquarium (clear water, fish still alive) is close to that of tap water, so it's not possible for the oxygen level to drop low enough for denitrification to occur (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denitrification).
3. Denitrification is possible, e.g., in a coil denitrator with an additional source of organic carbon, or in a sulfur denitrator.

 

[Midwater]

Get a bunch of pumice. You actually need quite a lot. It works, significantly reducing nitrate, but might take many months to populate.

As for the water flowing around it and not through it: If you put a piece of dry pumice in water, it floats for days, or even weeks, till it gets waterlogged. So that is it! Water does flow through, but very slowly. Which is why it works for anaerobic culture.

 

[RyanScanner]

Or it was solved 470million years ago with the evolution of plants.

 

[jjohnwm]

Never mind the 470 million year BS...what has it done for us lately???

T triamond has made an important comment there: specifically, the need for a supplemental source of carbon for the de-nitrifying bacteria. They are apparently doing all that work of breaking down nitrates not for nourishment, but rather for the oxygen which is generated that way. They still need food!

So, how is it possible that people are claiming success without that additional food source? Could it be that they have live plants using that same dusty old trick they always do and using up nitrates, and the anaerobic filters in their tanks are nothing more than stale, stinky dead spots?

 

[Midwater]

So, how is it possible that people are claiming success without that additional food source? Could it be that they have live plants using that same dusty old trick they always do and using up nitrates, and the anaerobic filters in their tanks are nothing more than stale, stinky dead spots?

My lava is not stinky? And from my water tests it definitely reduces nitrates.

Not sure I would pay good money for small pieces of black square medium.

 

[jjohnwm]

My lava is not stinky? And from my water tests it definitely reduces nitrates.

Not sure I would pay good money for small pieces of black square medium.

Lol, I know for a fact that I wouldn't!

See, I don't buy the whole quasi-scientific explanations of how this mysterious de-nitrification works in tanks, and your experience is an example of why not. According to the experts...unless you're sneaking a regular supply of sugar or vodka or some other carbon source to those bacteria...it can't work. But in this case it does, so...how? Why?

Good ol' Dr. Novak and his BioCenosis Baskets gets away with telling us whatever he pleases, because...who can prove otherwise? Meanwhile, he makes a killing off his secret off-shore kitty litter mining operations...

 

[HUKIT]

I kinda thought this would be the case, especially with a medium that has to be changed every two months which is one of those egregious expense that new hobbyist get roped into paying for(like HOB replacement cartridges). I run algae scrubbers or pothos in all my sumps to help with nitrate control but this was an interesting idea to research. I’ve been in the hobby decades and should know better but I’m always interested in any new scientific advancements that may come along.