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.†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.
Use regularly for long-term reduction and control of nitrate. 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 to nitrogen gas. This advanced bio-chemistry is found in nature and helps maintain healthy aquarium conditions.
- Simple to use; no complicated reactors or replacing resins
- Reduces unwanted nutrients
- Naturally increases buffering capacity
- Available in 250ml and 500ml sizes
- Use 10ml per 10 gallons