Sano - the lowdown?

[TampaSnooker]

First - I know this is a dead horse. I am starting this thread because all old info on the subject has vaporized into wherever dead websites go. The only info I could find referenced the "old sano wars". The reason I am curious about the product/snake oil/whatever is because a mentor of 15 years has asked me to take over care of his aquariums. He is a very vocal proponant of the product and swears by its effectiveness. Me - I'm completely skeptical of the stuff because there is NO concrete information about it besides the fact it contains 'energy'. So does my carpet - if I drop a match on it, I can see that...

Without simply jumping in with "it's snakeoil", can some of you with longer time on the boards chime in on what it is, how it "works" or why it doesn't, etc without just slamming it? The only references on RC and google are vague plugs for it without any info - likely shills - and Bill, Debi and Brian joking about the old sano wars from a defunct forum. Bill obviously has strong feelings on the subject and hopefully will take the time to chime in to explain. The product's website is vague - another red flag. My sense is it's bogus but the person who is promoting it to me has some VERY long term successful tanks and I don't want to make too many changes right off the bat. Some of you are just going to have to bite your lip, I know. Any real info on the product would be appreciated.

 

[MrTuskfish]

This name is vaguely familiar; but can't even find anything on Google----I didn't really look that hard. Do you have a link or more info?

Edit: I remember this stuff now, Ruby Reef makes it, I think. I know this isn't the hands-on type info you want. But, IMO, SW hobbyists communicate a lot and we're not a huge group. I also think most of us are willing to try most new and innovative products; or at listen to those who have. Products that work well tend to become staples in the hobby and those that don't---disappear. The number of miracle products that have disappeared is a long one and includes Sano. I did find a bit on Bob Fenner's site (if anyone knows more about our hobby than Fenner, I don't know who he is) that describes Sono as ''useless", you have to scroll way down.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cryptnoncures.htm

 

[TampaSnooker]

Thanks for the response. He also describes it as a good product that he wouldn't use in another thread, so....

My own gut says it's hype without any science behind a vague explanation of how it works. I'm just reluctant to stop using a product immediately on thriving systems - some have been using the product for over 10 years.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Just a little drivel: I think there are a lot of hobbyists, who have been around a while, that happened to be using a certain product and/or method when things started to really go right for them. Naturally, they give some of the credit to whatever they were using/doing at the time. I have a couple of quirks that I will never change, but would never post them as advice either.

 

[TampaSnooker]

I'd be right there with you if the advise came from a hobbyist. Most of the info I've found is very negative about the product and I am just as sceptical as everybody else. But this recommendation came from someone who has been aquaculturing corals for nearly 20 years and swears by it for systems that are packed full of fish and coral from 50 - 2000 gallons, so I thought I'd at least investigate it before canning it.

Does anyone have anything to share about the nature of the product besides the "natural energy" it supposedly contains? It's about to be crossed off the reorder list.