Nitrate Removal - AZ-NO3

[johnehr]

Does anyone have opinions on the AZ-NO3 product to reduce nitrates? Im going to slowly remove my bioballs as my bacteria levels increase, but in the mean time I dont have the apartment size/equipment to do huge water changes that would be necessary to significantly affect my nitrate levels... I can only do 10% a day, 6 gallons out of 60...

 

[NaH2O]

Here is another thread about it, if you haven't read it. I hope it helps!

AZ-NO3 - Thoughts?

 

[johnehr]

Thanks! I should have found it, maybe I typed 0 istead of "O"

 

[DonW]

If you dont have fish just yank out the bio balls and do your 10% water changes. You will get it, just a little slower.

Don

 

[johnehr]

Yea... Damn. I wanted to put fish in this bad boy next week. I thought it was cycled because I had 0 ammonia and 0 nitrates... Now my ammonia's at 2.0 (say goodbye to my hermit crabs and snails), nitrites at .5 (I think the test was dark purple but not maroon), and nitrates at 20.

 

[Curtswearing]

I found this description of the product on a vendors web page.

The AZ-NO3â„¢ (Absolute Zero - Nitratesâ„¢) product works entirely by aerobic Cellular Respiration on the target Nitrate molecule, which is then removed by the Protein Skimmer. The oxidoreductases necessary for these processes are the chemical mechanism of an enzyme action.

In the most simplest of explanations, AZ-NO3â„¢ can be considered an essential food, required by the active enzyme maltase that functions as a cellular respirator. The manufacturing process renders this product as an undesirable food to certain detrimental enzyme (amylase and invertase) that could uncontrollably proliferate in the aquarium.

Our product utilizes a specific enzyme in the maltase group to activate the oxidoreductases necessary to reduce nitrates by cellular respiration in the aquarium. The product itself does not contain this enzyme, but can be thought of more like a seed, a seed contains the germ (plant) and the food for the plant to grow. The mature plant then becomes the basic food product utilized.

The active ingredient in our product is Cozymase which functions in the oxidation of proteins and of many other compounds important in the intermediary metabolism and the resulting active enzyme Maltase in the aquarium. The Massecuite is food for both the Cozymase to develop and the resultant Maltase to thrive.

People who make their own beer will recognize this. This Maltase is an enzyme that creates glucose from grains and Cozymase is just a co-enzyme. When fermented, the sugar will create Carbon Dioxide and Alcohol. My first concern would be that you have proper gas exchange because I worry that the extra Carbon dioxide will drop pH levels quickly. Secondly, this seems just like the vodka-dosing method of adding a Carbon source to purposely create a bacterial bloom.

 

[reiple]

This sounds so much like the Vodka method of the germans?

 

[cwcross]

I would just suggest to wait until the tank is fully cycled. Patience is a virtue here....Collin

 

[MikeS]

Interesting....

I used to be a brewer at a microbrewery...I'm familiar with that process....

One thing about all that.....the enviornmental conditions that have to exist for that process to take place as desired are pretty strict...temperature and pH must be in a pretty narrow range...any deviation can alter the process or shut it down entirely....I wonder if the same thing would be true in our tanks using this product?

MikeS