BioDigest by Prodibio

[JonasRoman]

@JonasRoman
Doesnt using a calcium reactor dissolve media that would also contain trace elements such as potassium and strontium?
I don't have one but seems like I have read something like that, maybe..
So if that's the case, couldn't someone who uses a different strategy for alk/ca like kalkwasser or 2 part benefit from trace elements being supplemented?
I agree that they should not be added blindly, I think you should be testing for anything you are dosing

Yes, but in a very small portions and probably(maybe) only in the proportion that the coral consume. I use ARM-media, and they specify the content of Sr, potassium (and Mg) of the media, and when you look at these numbers we got a reminder of the very low consumption rates, giving that it is very easy to overdose when doing this manually.
I red a study when different media was dissolved and then measured the other elements besides Ca/Carbonates, and sure you are correct, there is some more than CaCo3 in this aragonite:_)

I also agree with you that if you do not run Ca-reactor you may have an extra eye on the minor-elements, but even in that cases I think there is a quite big risk of overdosing, especially when running Balling plus, with same adding of trace-elements in all situations. I think that in that cases there is some risk of overdosing. When I run Balling I stopped with the plus-regim(that with adding trace-elements) and went back to Balling basic (only Ca/KH adding) and added trace-elements separately (including Mg)...my system seems to like that more. This was before the possibility to measure with ICP-OES, so I do not know, but suspect, I had too much of some minor-elements due to the Balling-plus. It would be interesting measure with ICP-OES a system which is following the Balling-plus regim.

 

[NCreefguy]

Found it

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sick-to-my-stomach-lost-all-fish-overnight.274491/

Yeah I posted in that thread about an ammonia spike I had in the past killing a few of my fish. I just can't say for sure that the Prodibio caused it. I haven't had any issues since then. If there is a bad batch though there is no telling what kind of problems it could cause. Honestly we could end up with a bad batch of anything(your favorite salt mix) that we use on a regular basis and cause problems in our tank.

 

[Rick.45cal]

I've always been a "less is more" guy when it comes to adding trace elements. I agree with a whole lot of what Jonas says.

I made a post in the other thread to see if the OP of that thread ever heard back from Prodibio. There's bad batches of everything in the world.

@Brew12's comments are very interesting, and I hadn't considered that the many of the strains of bacteria may not find our aquariums suitable habitat for sustaining a population or population growth, and may be outcompeteing our traditional nitrifying bacteria.

Very interesting thread

 

[NCreefguy]

What do you think about the Coral Vits and the Stronti+?

I've been dosing stronti+ for a slight different reason(which is a long story). I was having issues with raised Alka. and was told to raise my Strontium levels a bit to see if things leveled out. My alkalinity has leveled out now at 9.3 and everything in my tank is happy and growing. I seemed to have a bit slower growth when I first got my tank back running but I made lighting,skimmer and sump changes that could have effected the growth that I was used to seeing. In all I have liked all of the Prodibio products that I use.

 

[BlueCursor]

Beneficial bacteria in the tank add more than just converting NH2 to NO2 to NO3 and eventually NO3/PO4 export. In nature, where do you think those free amino acids in ocean water come from? Where do you think the other, non mineral nutrients come from? Bacteria and Algae release bacteria/algae pee/poop into the water. That gets consumed via other organisms as building blocks for their growth. Also, our SPS actually need symbiotic bacteria as well as symbiotic algae. Something that has only been looked at in the scientific community in the past decade. Marine biologist have isolated many different varieties of bacteria that corals need to thrive and grow. If our tanks become deficient in these strains, our corals will suffer.

And yes, much like humans, reef tanks benefit from a large variety of beneficial bacteria, not just a couple strains for NH2 to NO2 to NO3 conversion. But since our tanks are small and lack diversity found in the ocean, we have to add it back in frequently. We add Ca, Alk, Mg to our tanks don't we?

 

[BlueCursor]

FYI, I use Prodibio and Vibrant as part of my bacteria dosing maintenance program. I have to say, when I added Vibrant in my SPS growth and color improved. No idea why, because my NO3/PO4 readings didn't change, nor did anything else. I assume Vibrant, which is 95% bacteria culture, has strains that gave my tank a boost in the coral department.

 

[JonasRoman]

Beneficial bacteria in the tank add more than just converting NH2 to NO2 to NO3 and eventually NO3/PO4 export. In nature, where do you think those free amino acids in ocean water come from? Where do you think the other, non mineral nutrients come from? Bacteria and Algae release bacteria/algae pee/poop into the water. That gets consumed via other organisms as building blocks for their growth. Also, our SPS actually need symbiotic bacteria as well as symbiotic algae. Something that has only been looked at in the scientific community in the past decade. Marine biologist have isolated many different varieties of bacteria that corals need to thrive and grow. If our tanks become deficient in these strains, our corals will suffer.

And yes, much like humans, reef tanks benefit from a large variety of beneficial bacteria, not just a couple strains for NH2 to NO2 to NO3 conversion. But since our tanks are small and lack diversity found in the ocean, we have to add it back in frequently. We add Ca, Alk, Mg to our tanks don't we?

I like your comment, and agree that the aquarium, as it is a very complex ecosystem, need a lot of beneficial bacteria. Most of them are benign, and most of them are aerobic and heterotrophic. And yes, many of them are food to other organisms(such corals) etc. But, I am not sure that we can by adding strains, control so much of which strain we want or the ratio of different strains. Maybe a little, but I believe there is some business here also. You will get most of these bacteria via living rocks, fishes, corals, algues etc. Maybe it does not hurt adding strains, but I doubt the benefits. This is very hard to study, I have also bought Prodibios strains, but could see no benefits, more than an outbreak of dinoflagellates(of course this may be a coincidence). I think it could be a risk of ammonium-spike if you add to many strains, as the first result of all heterotrophic aerobic bacteria is producing ammonia when consuming "slow" carbon source which contains Nitrogen(amino acid). It is different adding carbon source not contenting Nitrogen (as the sort we adding when we wants to promote bacterial growth in the carbon-source-method). In that case the bacteria do not produce ammonium as there is no amino-groups in the carbon-food.

Well, I just trying to say that I am not sure adding these strains are only beneficial:-)

Jonas

 

[jenreefer]

It is for this very reason that I appreciate that Prodibio has developed a system to add a set amount of the different supplements at a specific time. In addition to this, most experienced reefers (I am still learning) can look at the colors of certain corals ( pink birdsnest being one that was explained to me) to determine if the tank is balanced or in need of additional supplements.

I believe that there are as many different successful methods as there are days in the year. My view is pick one that you have seen a successful reefer use and then stick with it unless you find that it is not working for you. At that point do some research and determine what direction you tank needs to go to be successful.

Part of the interest I have in this hobby is the fact that each tank is a living, breathing ecosystem. Each needs common elements, but each also needs to be to be treated as an individual. No two will need exactly the same things.

 

[phil bevilacqua]

Do you guys still have good things to say about biodigest? Thanks

 

[izzyishh]

BUMP who still uses this

 

[dragon99]

I've been dosing a vial every 2 weeks for over 2 years. I can't say for certain it has any benefits, but it makes me feel good ;)