Instant Ocean Biopolymer Nitrate Reducer

[goldenclove77]

Has anyone tried this product out yet?

[HighlandReefer]

I have not tried this product, but fine the polymers an interesting means to control nitrate. I am particularly interested in how well they reduce high nitrate levels and what effects they have on bacterial populations.

[Genetics]

I think if they are synthesized correctly so they do not degrade in water but by bacterial ingestion that these could easily be the new wave in nitrate control.

[vegaskid11]

Any new information on this stuff.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Anyone have a link?

[HighlandReefer]

From this link:

http://************.com/2009/12/28/b...trate-reducer/


"Natural Nitrate Reducer from Instant Ocean is one of the company’s latest products that claims to use “Suspended Biodegradable Polymers” which sounds very much to us like fluid Solid Vodka Dosing. Having another large company hitting the market with a product that appears to use a time released biologically degradable ingredient akin to the solid vodka dosing methods similar to products such as NP Reducing BioPellets is intriguing. Carbon and vodka dosing have been controversial methods in the hobby but do have documented results and may just be a matter of time before this becomes the next bottle craze in the hobby. The product is made in Germany and has a U.S. Patent that was issued back in 2007. The patent abstract states, “The invention relates to agents for the removal or reduction of inorganic nitrogen compounds, especially nitrate, from biological aquarium waters, containing a biologically degradable polymer, preferably polycaprolactone (PCL) and to the utilization of said agents.â€� With a heads up from a tipster who’s putting the product through its paces let us know the product appears to have small beads in the liquid suspension that described it looking like an egg mass when dosed in the tank that clears up in a couple of hours. From the patent description, it looks like the products beads settle in the tank mixing with the substrate and finding other nooks and crannies to set up shop then giving nitrate reducing bacteria a food source to proliferate over time. We have already seen other products using biologically available polymers such as the BioPellets and Tropic Marin’s Reef Actif and BioActif lines, it may only be a matter of time before more companies get on the bandwagon. Instant Ocean’s product retails for around $6.99 USD for a 250 ml bottle or $11.99 USD for a 500 ml bottle. Follow the read link for some blurbs from the the press release on this new nitrate reducing product."

[Boomer]

Not really

Directions for Use
Shake well before use. Use 10ml for every 10 gallons. For easy dosing, use the top of the screw cap. Fill to the inner ring for 5ml and to the top of the cap for 10ml.
Note: Dose rate can be doubled per week for additional nitrate control. Depending on the starting concentration of nitrate in the aquarium, it can take a few weeks to reach desired levels. Once achieved, levels will remain low.

Principle Ingredients: Patented Suspended Biodegradable Polymers.

General Information
Nitrate is the end product of the natural nitrogen cycle and may also be found in tap water. It is recommended to keep low nitrate levels for healthy aquarium conditions.

Instant Ocean's patented formula promotes the natural denitrification process of converting nitrate into nitrogen gas. This advanced bio-chemistry is found in nature and helps maintain healthy aquarium conditions.

Benefits
•Simple to use. No complicated reactors or replacing resins.
•Reduces unwanted nutrients.
•Naturally increases buffering capacity.


and form RB

It’s hard to not be skeptical of aquarium products and additives that seem to contain more sci-fi techno-babble than actual substance. We were pleasantly surprised when we poured out a goop of Instant Ocean’s Natural Nitrate Reducer and it was easy to see the patented Biopolymer particles. As a recap, the Natural Nitrate Reducer contains a substance which is purported to be a substrate/food source for the bacteria which are enlisted to do the heavy lifting of munching up nasty NO3 molecules down to N2 gas where they can quietly fizz out of your tank. Aside from poking at the substance with a stick and making jokes about what other substances the goop resembles, we haven’t quite yet moved beyond the testing stages of how effective the new Instant Ocean product will perform. As soon as this post is fired off we’ll walk over to our skimmerless 110 gallon fish tank that is ruled by a Clarion Angel with an iron fin, test the nitrates and begin the evaluation of how much nitrate this natural reducer can chew through. No doubt this stuff works but if it can’t consume at least half of the nitrate being produced by a lightly stocked fish aquarium then it may be better off sticking with good ole fashioned water changes. We’ve passed several bottles of the Natural Nitrate Reducer around for testing on a range of tanks and we’ll let you know what our vicarious reefing crew has to say about the new nutrient management product from Instant Ocean.

[HighlandReefer]

Instant Ocean Biopolymer Nitrate Reducer patent:

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7244358/fulltext.html

[Boomer]

Beat me to most of it :

[vegaskid11]

I saw the RB write up and the picture of the stuff and figured it was reactor media. Are they saying you dose this into your tank?

[teesquare]

Sounds like a bio-degradeable corn gluten product........

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If that patent covers it, the polymer is polycaprolactone:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycaprolactone

[Genetics]

Says in the US it is sold under the trade name Friendly Plastics. Can buy it in stick and pellet form for only a few dollars per ounce. I'd be interested in the stick form to run parallel to flow in a reactor of some sort.

[HighlandReefer]

Nate,

Curious as to why stick form and not the pellet form?

[Genetics]

No real reason. May allow for a little higher flow and offset the need to stir them.

[HighlandReefer]

I was thinking along the lines of exposed surface area.

[BradR]

Originally Posted by genetics

i think if they are synthesized correctly so they do not degrade in water but by bacterial ingestion that these could easily be the new wave in nitrate control.

+1

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Cliff:

How did you associate that patent with this product?

[HighlandReefer]

From the first link I provided, which I can't get to work, perhaps this link is not allowed on RC.

They listed the patent there and I simply clicked on the link. I assumed it was correct.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, thanks. I found that link. It doesn't say why they think that is the patent. I can't yet find anything from Instant Ocean that makes that association.

[HighlandReefer]

I couldn't find anything else that directly links this product to a patent. If you find it is the wrong link, let us know.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Instant Ocean may not publicize the patent since it is also a quick way to figure out what it is and use a DIY or have other companies copy it. If soemone has a real bottle, it may state the patent number on the bottle. I think that may be a requirement, actually.

[HighlandReefer]

Randy, a couple more links which may help:

http://www.google.com/patents?id=WGC...244358&f=false

http://www.faqs.org/sec-filings/0912...ands-Inc_10-K/

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here are some sources for those wanting to experiment with a DIY:

http://www.shapelock.com/page2.html

http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/dept_v...JWFPPEL&Page=1

FWIW, I'm thinking on it.

[HighlandReefer]

Friendly Plasitc Pellets - 25 lb. pail = $299.99

http://www.madisonartshop.com/friend...mpaign=froogle