Special Blend?

foundnemo11 · 12/28/2011, 10:16 PM

I recently posted a question about my nitrates. They were at 80. I did a water change and still about the same( a little lower)
My lfs said that I should use a product called SPECIAL BLEND.

It looks like a good product and was told it would work. My only concern is that it says that I should keep my lights off for 48-72 hours. What will that do to a coral or fish? (1 hammer coral 1 clownfish)will they be alright with this lights out? Please if anyone is familiar with this product please help thanks!

redfishblewfish · 12/28/2011, 10:28 PM

Let’s take a step back and answer a few questions before we go putting magic potion into the tank.

How large a tank and what volume of water did you replace? You’re not going to rid your tank of nitrates with a single water change.

Are you doing weekly water changes? And if so, how much?

What is your water source….Tap water or RO/DI?

What kind of filtration do you have…sump/refugium…skimmer…reactors….canister filter….UGF….etc?

If you only have one fish, it’s not a bioload issue.

mjm7757 · 12/29/2011, 01:49 AM

I would also be a little leery of claims that seem to good to be true. However, I don't have any experience with this product. As far the lights go, your fish and corals will be perfectly fine with the lights off for that period of time.

doctorgori · 12/29/2011, 02:08 AM

...I saw that stuff, thought about Marc Weiss and walked away

...there a re better or proven alternatives
Cheato, ATS, Carbon Dosing, De-nitrate reactors

....I'd consider the numerous threads on vinegar dosing here on RC ...personally I'm using a TLF reactor and NPX pellets with good results...but whatever your prefs are

Mr.Tan · 12/29/2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorgori

...I saw that stuff, thought about Marc Weiss and walked away

more info on this statement? i've used special blend in my tank when i was cycling it and it seemed to work good, but i'd like to know what your referring to

foundnemo11 · 12/29/2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfishblewfish

Let’s take a step back and answer a few questions before we go putting magic potion into the tank.

How large a tank and what volume of water did you replace? You’re not going to rid your tank of nitrates with a single water change.

Are you doing weekly water changes? And if so, how much?

What is your water source….Tap water or RO/DI?

What kind of filtration do you have…sump/refugium…skimmer…reactors….canister filter….UGF….etc?

If you only have one fish, it’s not a bioload issue.

I have a 75 Gal. I changed about 18 gallons. I use only RO water. My filter is a hang on the back. I want to get a protein skimmer but not right now.

Chris27 · 12/29/2011, 10:28 AM

What's in the hang on filter? If it's loaded with sponge, perhaps its dirty and in need of a cleaning. Sponge is a great place for aerobic bacteria and dirt to hang out together, the resultant of the the two is nitrate....

SneakyPete · 12/29/2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris27

What's in the hang on filter? If it's loaded with sponge, perhaps its dirty and in need of a cleaning. Sponge is a great place for aerobic bacteria and dirt to hang out together, the resultant of the the two is nitrate....

I agree with this. I run a powerfilter in my QT and fought algae so hard (due to high nitrates). I would suck it all out and the next day it would be back. Did water changes almost every 3 days. When I pulled out my power filter media, the blue spongy material was completely green...

d0ughb0y · 12/29/2011, 11:56 AM

special blend is bacteria in a bottle. will it work? probably. like someone posted they used it to cycle, I think that would be appropriate to use special blend. adding a little for maintenance may help, but its probably not needed. if your N is 80 and you do a 25% water change, your N must go down to 60. If not, you need to do some serious thorough cleaning of your tank, as there is probably something (detritus) generating N.

fwiw, if anyone wants to try special blend, you can get it cheap on ebay, and do not overdose it, even lower dose than the instructions is fine.

12/28/2011, 10:16 PM	#1
foundnemo11 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 839	Special Blend? I recently posted a question about my nitrates. They were at 80. I did a water change and still about the same( a little lower) My lfs said that I should use a product called SPECIAL BLEND. It looks like a good product and was told it would work. My only concern is that it says that I should keep my lights off for 48-72 hours. What will that do to a coral or fish? (1 hammer coral 1 clownfish)will they be alright with this lights out? Please if anyone is familiar with this product please help thanks!

12/29/2011, 10:28 AM	#7
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	What's in the hang on filter? If it's loaded with sponge, perhaps its dirty and in need of a cleaning. Sponge is a great place for aerobic bacteria and dirt to hang out together, the resultant of the the two is nitrate.... __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

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12/28/2011, 10:28 PM	#2
redfishblewfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 716	Let’s take a step back and answer a few questions before we go putting magic potion into the tank. How large a tank and what volume of water did you replace? You’re not going to rid your tank of nitrates with a single water change. Are you doing weekly water changes? And if so, how much? What is your water source….Tap water or RO/DI? What kind of filtration do you have…sump/refugium…skimmer…reactors….canister filter….UGF….etc? If you only have one fish, it’s not a bioload issue.

12/29/2011, 01:49 AM	#3
mjm7757 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 60	I would also be a little leery of claims that seem to good to be true. However, I don't have any experience with this product. As far the lights go, your fish and corals will be perfectly fine with the lights off for that period of time.

12/29/2011, 02:08 AM	#4
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	...I saw that stuff, thought about Marc Weiss and walked away ...there a re better or proven alternatives Cheato, ATS, Carbon Dosing, De-nitrate reactors ....I'd consider the numerous threads on vinegar dosing here on RC ...personally I'm using a TLF reactor and NPX pellets with good results...but whatever your prefs are

12/29/2011, 11:56 AM	#9
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	special blend is bacteria in a bottle. will it work? probably. like someone posted they used it to cycle, I think that would be appropriate to use special blend. adding a little for maintenance may help, but its probably not needed. if your N is 80 and you do a 25% water change, your N must go down to 60. If not, you need to do some serious thorough cleaning of your tank, as there is probably something (detritus) generating N. fwiw, if anyone wants to try special blend, you can get it cheap on ebay, and do not overdose it, even lower dose than the instructions is fine.