Seachem's Claims

In my opinion, Seachem products make more claims than they can prove. The latest that I am going to have to look in to is the claim that Stability will remove nitrates , yes, remove. Stability can magically turn nitrates into a mystical gas that is expelled into the atmosphere.
I have proof that this is the stance of Seachem.
Lately, there has been a lot of anecdotal talk of this, but I want some concrete science.

My Email to Seachem: Please elaborate on the breakdown of nitrates that this statement suggests: "...bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate." More specifically, the statement suggests that stability will breakdown nitrate in to something else, what?

Seachem Support Reply: Anaerobic denitrifying bacteria break down nitrate into nitrogen gas, which gasses off from the aquarium. That is how it is possible to have biological filtration which removes nitrate from the tank.

I forgot to add, anaerobic bacteria don't work in the O2 filled environment of a fish tank.

 

No, anaerobic bacteria doesn't efficiently colonize in most aquarium setups, but it's possible that Stability contains some of this anaerobic bacteria. In a proper setup, like a nitrate reactor, it would encourage anaerobic bacterial growth like it does aerobic bacterial growth.

 

No, anaerobic bacteria doesn't efficiently colonize in most aquarium setups, but it's possible that Stability contains some of this anaerobic bacteria. In a proper setup, like a nitrate reactor, it would encourage anaerobic bacterial growth like it does aerobic bacterial growth.

I'll buy that, but a typical new aquarist or aquarium cannot achieve that. In relation to Fishlore Beginners threads, stability and nitrates should not be in the same statement within threads about reducing nitrates.

 

I agree, it's not easy to achieve, but it is possible, and Stability caters to more than beginner aquarists. Plus, it's beneficial to mention, as it gets beginners reading and learning about new topics.

 

Although not on the bottle or on the Stability FAQ page, Seachem has replied again to clarify: " ...... These bacteria colonies will establish in the oxygen-poor environment underneath the substrate, inside porous rock, and inside specialty filter media like Matrix and DeNitrate. Just like aerobic bacteria which removes ammonia and nitrite, anaerobic bacteria needs a stable and suitable surface and environment in which to grow. A completely bare tank (no gravel, decorations, or filtration of any kind) will not cycle because there are extremely limited surfaces for aerobic bacteria to colonize, and these forms of bacteria are not present in significant numbers in the water column. Likewise, an exceptionally acidic or alkaline tank will not cycle because the environment is not friendly to aerobic bacteria. This same concept can be applied to anaerobic bacteria: if there is a medium friendly to its growth in the aquarium, it will grow."

 

Great answer from them

 

Seachem is spot-on with their explanation. They have a good product there and it will perform as advertised if you provide the proper place for the bacteria to grow.

 

Seachem is spot-on with their explanation. They have a good product there and it will perform as advertised if you provide the proper place for the bacteria to grow.

Yes, except they don't give that explanation unless you corner them and ask. If you don't know about this stuff, it is a quite specific process to get rid of nitrates in that manner. It is not as cut and dry as the direction on the bottle and seachem website would have you believe.

 

Out of all of the misconceptions and misrepresentations out there, this one is far from the worst.

 

I don't think that denitrifying bacteria a obligate anaerobs (meaning they cannot live in the presence of oxygen), they are facultative anaerobs, meaning they can live with or without oxygen.

 

In light of the subject, I did an experiment. Since I was the one who mentioned in another thread that Stability can reduce nitrates, so I took it upon myself to prove it. I based my statement on previous experience and from what I read on the seachem forum. I am in no way affiliated with Seachem, Sera or any brand shown in this experiment.


Here's the method I used so it can be replicated:
Materials Used:
Deionized Water
Seachem Flourish Nitrogen (as source of nitrates)
Seachem Stability (experiment subject)
Testing kit (Sera Nitrate Test from my Sera Aqua-Test Set)
Labels
Droppers & Syringe (for measuring)

Method:
1. Label vials:
- CS - Control Supply
- St S - Experimental Supply
- C - Control Setup
- St - Experimental Setup


2. Fill CS & ST S vials with 20ml of water (sufficient for 2 rounds of test if sera kit is used).


3. With dropper, add 1 drop of Seachem Nitrogen to both CS and ST S vials.
4. Add 1.6ml Stability to St S vial.
5. Add 1.6ml water to CS vial (to compensate for volume change in St S).
6. Cover both vials, shake gently and wait 2 hours. (Actually, I took 10ml each to test if there is immediate effect, result = no difference in nitrate content)
7. After 2 hours, take 10ml (volume as required by testing kit) from CS to C vial and ST S to ST vial and test as per instruction of nitrate testing kit.
8. Result:


C vial = 50mg/L (control setup)
St vial = 10-25mg/L (experimental setup with stability)

Therefore it is evident that there was nitrate reduction due to stability in this experiment. I know that this experiment is far from perfect and is not the same situation as with a tank but I did it to see and to show the effect of stability on nitrates. With regards with the volume of Seachem Nitrogen & Stability used, I did the experiment 3 times with different volumes of nitrogen & stability and these volumes gave the most visible results).

I will repeat the experiment tonight to see if the results are consistent.

 

I use matrix media in my Canister. I used it in conjunction with Stability. I read 0 nitrates consistently, even after 2 weeks of no water change. Also know that my nitrates were never that high before using it. I'd say it was between 5-10ppm. I heard of people having 20ppm nitrate in their tap and tried matrix with no results. My suggestion is to use it with Stability. I'm very impressed with the product and find Seachem, overall, as a high quality brand. Don't knock it until you used it to its full potential.

 

In light of the subject, I did an experiment. Since I was the one who mentioned in another thread that Stability can reduce nitrates, so I took it upon myself to prove it. I based my statement on previous experience and from what I read on the seachem forum. I am in no way affiliated with Seachem, Sera or any brand shown in this experiment.

I will repeat the experiment tonight to see if the results are consistent.

Very nice...in a "laboratory environment" it works. If only there was a way to actually test in a tank, as in that would take some real doing. I tried Matrix in as ideal environment as I could, and it really didn't work, the flow has to be o2 depleted and very slow. After 6 or so months I got rid of that. I'm wondering if the same can be said for the bacteria in Stability, both low o2 and slow are very hard to produce in a healthy fish tank. Another hiccup to testing in a real environment is water changes, in order to get the bacteria colony built up to a sufficient level, the health of the tank would have to decline due to less water changes or take a very very very very very long time to become noticeable (and by then what is the point?).
Your test was not anecdotal , very nice.

 

I use matrix media in my Canister. I used it in conjunction with Stability. I read 0 nitrates consistently, even after 2 weeks of no water change. Also know that my nitrates were never that high before using it. I'd say it was between 5-10ppm. I heard of people having 20ppm nitrate in their tap and tried matrix with no results. My suggestion is to use it with Stability. I'm very impressed with the product and find Seachem, overall, as a high quality brand. Don't knock it until you used it to its full potential.

I have tried matrix, purigen, the other matrix like stuff (lol), and quite a few other chems. What I am knocking is the over exaggerated claims that Seachem continually makes which are perpetrated by anecdotal experience on fish groups, and the methods by which some of these experiences were achieved.

 

Seachem does suggest using their Stability in conjunction with their matrix. Also, they do have 2 different versions of it. One is prefered for faster flows, while the other for a slower gph. I used both products and the proper matrix for my specific canister. That's really all I can say as to why I got results. I saw readings of 0 nitrates as soon as 1 week, but only because I tested nitrates on the 7th day. The bottled bacteria is probably packed with both aerobic and anerobic; thus, the possibility it could even work instantaneously. I know you prefer hard proof over anecdotal experiences, but that's all I can give.

 

Yes, except they don't give that explanation unless you corner them and ask. If you don't know about this stuff, it is a quite specific process to get rid of nitrates in that manner. It is not as cut and dry as the direction on the bottle and seachem website would have you believe.

I have a bottle of Stability in my hand. It says that it contains bacteria and that it will establish the bio filter in your tank. It also says that ideally "it should be used in conjunction with biofiltration" [a biofiltration medium -- they recommend Matrix, but any will do, even a sponge].

I didn't say anything different than that.

Oh, I should have said before, and I will say here: I have no connection with Seachem except as a customer of their fine and effective products.