Prodibio Bio Digest Pure Garbage

[Steve Blum]

I have written about my high nitrates before. I had Nitrates of 160 ppm may be Old Tank Syndrome. I did a 50% water change Nitrates dropped to 80 PPM. I added a vial of Prodibio Bio Digest after 1 week no change. I added another vial after two weeks no change. 50% water Change Nitrates 40 PPM. I just added another Vial. I have started Vodka Dosing I am on week 3 and am adding 2.0 ml a day however I know Vodka Dosing takes time to work I have a 120 G tank. I want to avoid a quick water change this time as the Nitrates are at 40 PPM which is apparently safe.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Do you have a deep sand bed? If so, how often do you stir it up and siphon it out?

 

[Steve Blum]

Do you have a deep sand bed? If so, how often do you stir it up and siphon it out?

No Nathaniel It is a 120 g Tank, not a deep sand bed.

 

[legionofdoon]

I think he's asking if you have a deep sand bed.

 

[legionofdoon]

In your tank. What is on your bottom, what substrate or is it bare bottom.

 

[Steve Blum]

In your tank. What is on your bottom, what substrate or is it bare bottom.

I have about an inch of coral sand.

 

[Mark Gray]

Can you add a fuge? my 55 had nitrate of around that high, after I added a fuge it took about 6 months but now I need to dose nitrate

 

[Anirban]

How old is your tank?

The denitrifying bacteria takes a lot of time to establish itself and start processing the NO3 faster. For a newish tank with dry rock it can take upto 3-6months to fully establish a very efficient bacterial colony to process NO3 fast enough. Till then either you have to do water changes or something else like refugium to process it faster.

 

[Steve Blum]

How old is your tank?

The denitrifying bacteria takes a lot of time to establish itself and start processing the NO3 faster. For a newish tank with dry rock it can take upto 3-6months to fully establish a very efficient bacterial colony to process NO3 fast enough. Till then either you have to do water changes or something else like refugium to process it faster.

I don't think my problem is a new tank. The tank has been operating for 23 years. I am very disappointed in the Bio Digest as it appears not to be effective in lowering nitrates. Sure is different from the hype I read. Those who read this thread don't expect Prodibio Bio Digest to do anything at all. The vials I put in 5 of them were to supply Heterophyllia Bacteria. Maybe they just ship water with a little tea coloring.

 

[Anirban]

I don't think my problem is a new tank. The tank has been operating for 23 years. I am very disappointed in the Bio Digest as it appears not to be effective in lowering nitrates. Sure is different from the hype I read. Those who read this thread don't expect Prodibio Bio Digest to do anything at all. The vials I put in 5 of them were to supply Heterophyllia Bacteria. Maybe they just ship water with a little tea coloring.

I used them last year but I combined it with the Bio optim which they recommend as nutrient source for their bacteria. May be they are meant to use together. I think doesn't work like plug and play. You can try Microbactor 7 as it already comes with the carbon source for bacteria.

 

[Steve Blum]

I used every week for 5 weeks. I was also using Vodka dosing which was the nutrient source instead of Bio Optim. The results of the Bio Digest speak for itself a real Zero. I recommend people save their money on this product because it is lke putting water in the tank.

 

[gcarroll]

I'm curious Steve, what are your phosphates at?

 

[Steve Blum]

I am not sure what my phosphates are, however last time I tested they were not elevated. I run GFO(Phosban). My phosophates used to run high because I was heavily feeding. I went to Phosban and cut my nutrients. I feed from the 3.5 OZ Blister Packs. I feed 2 cubes 2x a day for 13 good sized fish.

 

[gcarroll]

Thanks for that reply Steve, when I asked the question, I was 100% positive that you were using some form of phosphate reducer but needed to verify.

The problem is not Prodibio, it works! Neither a bacterial, nor a algae solution will work to reduce nitrate in a system that is low in phosphate.

When using bacteria it is important to understand the relationship of the 3 things (4 if you count oxygen) that bacteria needs to thrive:
Carbon
Nitrate
Phosphate

 

[Steve Blum]

Greg I may have spoke premature on Bio Digest. I was using it and have been vodka dosing for 4 weeks. I started week 5 and I checked my Nitrate. It is now 10ppm which is a drop of 50 ppm. I can't say if it was the combination, Bio Digest or Vodka Dosing. However I have read it takes Vodka Dosing 6-8 weeks to work. I do have some phosphate in my system

 

[Steve Blum]

Greg I rechecked my Nitrate today 3 times it read 80 PPM. Greg I differ with you I think Prodibio is pure Garbage by evidence that nothing has happened in 5 weeks of using Prodibio Biodigest. If you would like to send me your money I would be glad to supply you with the same Vials that contain Garbage. I am waiting for a few more weeks when the Vodka dosing kicks in.

 

[CNDReef]

I think what Greg meant was if your phosphate is way too low your nitrate will never decrease. The bacteria feed on both at the ratio of 16/1 (16 nitrate to 1 phosphate) if there isn’t 1 phosphate the bacteria wont do anything to nitrate.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Definitely an estimate on the ratio but absolutely consumes more no3 than po4. Like Greg said, gotta have both for bacteria to consume.

 

[gcarroll]

Greg I rechecked my Nitrate today 3 times it read 80 PPM. Greg I differ with you I think Prodibio is pure Garbage by evidence that nothing has happened in 5 weeks of using Prodibio Biodigest. If you would like to send me your money I would be glad to supply you with the same Vials that contain Garbage. I am waiting for a few more weeks when the Vodka dosing kicks in.

Thanks for the offer but I have my own supply. Don't really need yours too! The fact that you are using a phosphate binder with a bacterial product clearly demonstrates that you should not be evaluating the effectiveness of a bacterial product.

Imagine if I told you that I had a Corvette ZR1 and it's not fast at all based on my experience. Then you found out that I don't have no legs and therefore could not step on the gas. Does it sound like I am the one that should be evaluating the Corvette ZR1?

 

[Steve Blum]

Greg I had some phosban in my aquaclear 110 it has been 6 months since I changed phosban. I do have algae and my phosphate is still high, so that would not be the problem of Prodibio working. Most likely the Prodibio is garbage as I said. I stand by my opinion.