Absolute Zero Nitrates (AZ-NO3) Review.

[sahin]

I couldn't find any up to date reviews of this product so I'd thought I'd post a review of it.

My tank stats:
47G tank with 25G sump.
Bubble Magus NAC6 skimmer
About 14lbs liverock and similar amount of Marco Key Largo Rock

Tank has been running for 3 months now. Bare bottom. I had over30ppm nitrates with phosphates at 0.5ppm.

Nitrates were measured by Salifert and API test kits.
Phosphates measured by Hannah ULR Phoshorus and D&D test kit

Previously when I tried carbon dosing, it took a long time to reduce nitrates. And phosphates don't really reduce with organic carbon dosing.

I read up on AZ-NO3 and it seemed to have very good reviews. Now a non member Melev has a long thread on RC.

The product seemed to me to be a form of carbon dosing, so price aside, I decided to use it. I also read that it reduced phosphates too.

Today, being 10 days since I started to dose the product according to the instructions and readingsare as follows:

Nitrate: 2ppm
Phosphates: 0.04ppm

My skimmer is still foaming like crazy. It's producing a very dry foam, but lots of it. I'll upload a skimmer shot later on.

The product is meant to be dosed as a maintenance dose a few weeks after nitrate levels reach zero.

I am so impressed with it.

And just for the record, my ALK is 10dKH at the moment. I have two acro frags in the tank. Vodka or sugar as a form of carbon dosing will cause stripping of sps flesh with the Alk being so high.

I have no idea what the product composition is, but all I know is that here is a product, that if you follow the instructions properly will reduce nitrates and phosphates so well and so safely with regards to SPS corals.

I also have an assortment of fishes, crabs, hermits, snails and other reef fauna. Nothing was affected adversely in any way.

The two sps corals and my LPS corals are all fine. I don't have any soft corals.

I will slowly wean my system off the AZ-NO3 over the next few weeks and then turn to the usual methods of nutrient management.

Just like carbon dosing, I employed this product to levels that are more manageable.

 

[SBV]

Sweet, Glad to see this helped. Did you have any algae in the tank prior to dosing?

Rock on,

 

[potterjon]

I am curious about this also? Did you start this just to reduce nitrates and phosphates or was there another reason such as algae growth?

 

[SBV]

Reason I ask, I have a friend that's about to try it in his tank for algae purposes.

 

[sahin]

I started this treatment only to reduce nitrates and a bit of phosphates like regular Rabin dosing. I didn't have any algae issues. But, having said that I wanted a quick way to reduce nutrients as the tank is fairly young and didn't want to go through the usual algae cycles. I am also running a reduced light period until my nutrients are in control; to try and limit the algae cycles. So far so good.

As with any algae issues, nutrient control coupled with aggressive manual removal and use of biological control will overcome the issue given enough time.

The product literature does state that aquarists are using the product for algae control, but that it was it was originally formulated for rapid and safe nitrate reduction.

 

[sahin]

Just wanted to add, whatever you do, ensure that you have an efficient modern protein skimmer and that your tank is properly aerated. I read EVERY single review on Marinedepot prior to using it. I suggest reading as much a you can before using it.

 

[r-balljunkie]

you are keeping SPS corals in a tank that is 3 months old??

thats barely a cyclied tank........

 

[JPMagyar]

If I am way off base and being a jerk, then I sincerely apologize up front, but here are my concerns with this thread.

First, Sahin you have been a member since 2002 with thousands of posts and you are using the general forum for a discussion on a chemistry product. Second, you are surprised when a carbon dosing agent works? This technology is known to work when carefully applied. All in all I suspect this thread as being a plug for a product. Now having said that I will admit that in December of 2011 I too was excited about Red Sea NOPOX which is a similar product so I imagine it is possible that you are simply excited by the results you have in your latest tank. If so I hope you will forgive my skepticism, but there it is I've spoke my skeptical and cynical opinion and am done.

Joe

P.S. Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[sahin]

you are keeping SPS corals in a tank that is 3 months old??

thats barely a cyclied tank........

Yes. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is less experienced, but with over 10 years keeping sps; yes it is possible. And besides, the liverock came out of my LFS's display. The liverock was fully cured and in their display for more than 6 months. I paid a little extra for it in order to for them to let me have it. I wanted it be because it was fully cured and with no pests and was the shape/form I desired for my rockscape. My marco rock was curred for more than a year, before being transferred to this tank it was set in a bucket for two months as I had shut down due to illness.

Now I am feeling better, I decided I wanted to continue with the hobby.

So, without knowing the full details, I do find it offensive that people jump to conclusions. But not to worry, Ive been on this forum far longer than most members and so am used to things around here.

If I am way off base and being a jerk, then I sincerely apologize up front, but here are my concerns with this thread.

First, Sahin you have been a member since 2002 with thousands of posts and you are using the general forum for a discussion on a chemistry product. Second, you are surprised when a carbon dosing agent works? This technology is known to work when carefully applied. All in all I suspect this thread as being a plug for a product. Now having said that I will admit that in December of 2011 I too was excited about Red Sea NOPOX which is a similar product so I imagine it is possible that you are simply excited by the results you have in your latest tank. If so I hope you will forgive my skepticism, but there it is I've spoke my skeptical and cynical opinion and am done.

Joe

P.S. Merry Christmas everyone!

Joe, I think you are right, this could have been posted in the Chemistry section. However, like I posted in another post around the same time as posting this thread, I was on my iPad at my inlaws house waiting for Xmas dinner - just didnt think about whether it should really go there.

Mods please move the thread if you feel the need to.

With regards to being surprised at the product working: YES. I was. Simply because there are so many products out there that are snake oil. This hobby is full of it. So, with that in mind, I hope you can understand my excitement when a product works exactly as advertised.

Secondly, Randy did try to work out what the product was and how it worked when he was in contact with the product makers years ago. But they were just being vague. Randy said he thought the product should work.

As I have been a member of this ReefCentral for over 10 years and have a passion for this hobby, I felt compelled to let others know just how happy I am with its performance. Hence why I made this thread. I also said at the outset, there are many threads about it, with a particular long three thread by Melev. I just wanted others to be aware of an alternative product. Hence I said there aren't up to date threads on the product.

Have a look at the Salifert Potassium review I posted some time back. When I use a product that works as advertised, I feel the need to let my fellow reefkeepers know about it.

Is there anything wrong with that?

Joe, I had all good intentions when I posted this thread, I live in the UK. I am no way linked to this product or it's makers. I am only linked to all you guys who are reefkeepers and wanted to share my very positive experience with a product.

I don't take you as a jerk, rather, I have read numerous of your posts over the years to know that. But, someone who is new to the forum, may walk away feeling offended. PS, I love your tank. How is it doing?

Mods if my thread is any way breaking the rules etc, then please delete it.

Thanks.

 

[potterjon]

YES. I was. Simply because there are so many products out there that are snake oil. This hobby is full of it. So, with that in mind, I hope you can understand my excitement when a product works exactly as advertised.

I agree and that is why my bottle of this product has been sitting on the shelf unopened for a very long time. I rely on these threads for unbiased info on products, as a lot of us do. I'm glad you posted this and please keep us updated. I was working at the lfs when this product came on the shelves. It simply sounded too good to be true. Like so many others. There have been several times when I referred to reef central and other forums before I have put a product in my tank, only to end up sticking it on the shelf after reading a few threads.

 

[sahin]

As long as someone finds this thread useful, I will continue to post my results.

I tested the nitrate level today:

Nitrate: Salifert: 0.2ppm API:0ppm

Obviously the API is only useful for levels 5ppm and above, but I tested with it since I have it anyway. At the very least it confirms that nitrates are now VERY LOW compared to 30ppm+ just around 10 days ago.

I will measure tomorrow and report back. I should see a further drop, and should get a zero reading on the Salifert test. If that is the case, I will cut the AZ-NO3 dose to around 20% and maintain that for a few weeks and completely wean the system off.

 

[westreef]

Hi Sahin, please continue with this thread. I am so glad someone like you is documenting your results. I still have a bottle of this in the shelf have not been used because my Nitrate is at 2ppm from Salifert. I read that 2ppm is fine for SPS. If emergency warrants its use, I will then use it.

 

[garygb]

Good to know about the product. Fortunately my nitrates are showing as undetectable currently and hopefully will continue to with skimming and regular GAC changes. Nonetheless, it's good to hear feedback from someone who is using a product that works.

I am an anemone keeper, and magnficas prefer very low nitrates, you mention you don't have any soft corals (and I'm assuming anemones). I'd like to hear from someone who's used the product with anemones. I've never dosed vodka before, but I've read at least one post where someone used vodka and reported their anemones didn't seem to appreciate it. So many variables it's hard to say what the problem was.

Personally, it seems like this thread should be on this forum to me. The "reef chemistry" forum would be okay too, but it feels like it fits better here.

 

[JPMagyar]

When I use a product that works as advertised, I feel the need to let my fellow reefkeepers know about it.

Is there anything wrong with that?


Thanks.

That Sir is a superb answer, and I take back everything I said. I found last year that using Red Sea NOPOX resulted in rapid reduction in Nitrates, but it was not able to equally reduce phosphates. You have peaked my curiosity and I will definitely run out and give this product a try.

Thank-you for posting, and thank-you for understanding my intent. It is so difficult to sound interested but critical online without sounding pompous or threatening.


Cheers


Joe

 

[Buzz1329]

"I do find it offensive that people jump to conclusions. But not to worry, Ive been on this forum far longer than most members and so am used to things around here."

Nice response. Newbie stocking dry-rock tank with SPS three months in is disaster waiting to happen. Experienced hand adding a few SPS frags to fully-cured live rock tank three months in is a whole different ball game.

How do you use this stuff? E.g., in a reactor, canister filter, filter bag in sump?

 

[Thunder3]

You have a 47 gallon tank and only I believe 28 LBS of live rock. You should have at least 50 LBS of LR. This alone might help lower your nitrates.

 

[sahin]

Hi Sahin, please continue with this thread. I am so glad someone like you is documenting your results. I still have a bottle of this in the shelf have not been used because my Nitrate is at 2ppm from Salifert. I read that 2ppm is fine for SPS. If emergency warrants its use, I will then use it.

With your nitrates at 2ppm, I see no reason to use the product. A few large water changes (eg 25% at least) coupled with restricted feeding and wet skimming should reduce that if you really needed it.

And hey, thanks for the support. Appreciate it.

Good to know about the product. Fortunately my nitrates are showing as undetectable currently and hopefully will continue to with skimming and regular GAC changes. Nonetheless, it's good to hear feedback from someone who is using a product that works.

I am an anemone keeper, and magnficas prefer very low nitrates, you mention you don't have any soft corals (and I'm assuming anemones). I'd like to hear from someone who's used the product with anemones. I've never dosed vodka before, but I've read at least one post where someone used vodka and reported their anemones didn't seem to appreciate it. So many variables it's hard to say what the problem was.

Personally, it seems like this thread should be on this forum to me. The "reef chemistry" forum would be okay too, but it feels like it fits better here.

Like above, if your nitrates are that low, no need to use the product. With regards to use with a tank containing softies and anemones; there have been reports of these corals being irritated for a few days upon first use. Hence I would be very cautious.

That Sir is a superb answer, and I take back everything I said. I found last year that using Red Sea NOPOX resulted in rapid reduction in Nitrates, but it was not able to equally reduce phosphates. You have peaked my curiosity and I will definitely run out and give this product a try.

Thank-you for posting, and thank-you for understanding my intent. It is so difficult to sound interested but critical online without sounding pompous or threatening.

Cheers

Joe

No problem Joe. Like others have found when using this product; it really reduces the phosphates. This I didnt expect. Neither did I expect it to lower phosphates as much as it did.

We have no idea as to how it works or what is actually contained in it...as far as I know, most organic carbon dosing only really reduces nitrate, and perhaps a tiny amount of phosphates.

If you dont have a real nitrate issue, I'd look at using small amounts of GFO to reduce phosphates.

Besides, unless you have algae issues (or brown SPS) I dont see a reason to try and reduce your phosphates.

If you have both nitrate and phosphate issues, then maybe use it. But do so at your own risk; depending on what corals your tank is stocked with. I know you have lots of SPS in your tank, and I only notice those corals in peoples tanks, so I cannot remember what other corals you have.

"I do find it offensive that people jump to conclusions. But not to worry, Ive been on this forum far longer than most members and so am used to things around here."

Nice response. Newbie stocking dry-rock tank with SPS three months in is disaster waiting to happen. Experienced hand adding a few SPS frags to fully-cured live rock tank three months in is a whole different ball game.

How do you use this stuff? E.g., in a reactor, canister filter, filter bag in sump?

It is in a liquid form. This is what makes it very easy to use. It causes the skimmer to go into super turbo mode; producing copious amounts of dry foam.

You have a 47 gallon tank and only I believe 28 LBS of live rock. You should have at least 50 LBS of LR. This alone might help lower your nitrates.

A few reasons why I feel that amount of rock is going to be alright:

1. Marco Key Largo rocks are so light and porous, its like 30lbs of it in my display will FILL it up to the brim. So its kind of like 10lbs of it is more like 15lbs of regular rock.
2. I totally forgot to mention that in my sump I have 1litre of Siporax filter media. There is a tank in the SPS forum; the tank is larger than mine, and runs on a just a few litres of this stuff. The tank has AWESOME coloured SPS. Had a fair number of largish fish too. Members name is Denadai. Look up his tank.
3. I only have smallish fish. Nothing large and bulky bodied like tangs. My fish are:

5x Green Chromis
2x tank bred Perc Clowns
1x Purple firefish
1x Bangai Cardinal

Thats it. I can tell you that when I had my yellow tang in a previous 90G tank, even though the tang was only 3.5-4inches, it pooped lots. Its poop was fat pieces of poop; compared to the fish above, this one fish would poop a whole lots more than the above fish combined.

So, yes its 9 fishes, but none get too big nor do they get bulky bodies.

Hope this all explains it. I better get to work! :hmm3:

 

[garygb]

Good to know about softies/anemones being sensitive too it.. Thanks for the follow up.

 

[sotomx]

I have used this product twice and as said it works very good, but if you are using a filter sock, beware and clean it daily, if not it will clog and make a mess.

 

[MrClam]

Just curious what dosing people were using for this?