[CRJDriver]

Anyone tried this product? Thoughts about it? Heres the link to the site.

ECO-Aqualizer

[Ninong]

We discussed the Eco Aqualizer back in January 2004 in this thread. It has been discussed at length in threads on other reefkeeping bulletin boards both in the U.S. and in Europe ever since it was introduced. To say that it has received mixed reviews is being generous.

[CRJDriver]

thanks...i'll check out the thread u mentioned!

[The R/C Man]

After just a quick glance at the claims for this product I immeadiately formulated an opinion about it as well as questions. I decided not to read the afore mentioned threads in order to keep my opinions unscewed. Here is their first claim/selling point followed by my questions and opinions.......


Benefits both FRESH and SALT water Aquariums

Claims to: Reduces water changes by up to 75%
ECO-AqualizerTM's greatest proven and tested benefit is restoring water quality
and keeping it from deteriorating. ECO-AqualizerTM keeps water in
"activated state" versus it's typical stale, stagnant nature.
This results in a constantly stable and healthy balance within the aquarium.
See schedule below:
Saltwater tanks, REEF tanks

Month 1 5% water change, 10% water change
Month 2 Not required, 5% water change
month 3 Not required, Not required
month 4 10% water change, 10%water change
month 5 not required, 5% water change
month 6 Not required, Not required

Continue following this schedule, but closely monitor and test your water parameters
periodically. Every tank is different with varying livestock loads, so adjustments in
water change percentages may need some attention.
In many cases, you probably will be able to reduce your water changes even more than charted above.
For REEF tanks, water changes help replenish trace elements, so we strongly
suggest keeping a close eye on your parameters. However, the scheduled water changes above help create a more stable natural ecosystem with less fluctuations and eliminates unnecessary stress factors.

Ok here we go! Weeeeeeee!
I am no chemist, but I am currently taking a microbiology class as part of a science degree so there is a general knowledge that goes with my madness.
Just so there is no confusion I started with dictionary.com and their interpration of certian words.
To diminish or impair in quality, character, or value: Time and neglect had deteriorated the property.

1. To grow worse; degenerate: The weather deteriorated overnight. His health had deteriorated while he was in prison.
2. To weaken or disintegrate; decay: The nation's highways are deteriorating at a rapid pace.

They say that the water is deteriorating.... Ummm ok. Maybe that word fits but wouldn't contaminated be better choice? (nitpicking? YES) This product claims restores that dereriorating process.... Really? How is that? Are they saying it reverses that process? Wow! Ok here is where it gets good. This product keeps the water in its "active state" versus its stale stagnat nuture. What?! Ok definition again!
stag‧nant  /ˈstægnənt/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[stag-nuhnt]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective
1.not flowing or running, as water, air, etc.
2.stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water.
3.characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement: a stagnant economy.
4.inactive, sluggish, or dull.

So my 25 gallon tank that moves 900 gallons per hour is stagnet...and apparently there are chemical changes occuring it either. At least they say that water changes are required for a reef to replace the very important trace elements that are required by living organisms to carry out their biological functions. It seems that everything I have read by well known aquarists say that increased water changes even weekly will increase the over all health of the tank inhabitants. So what tests did they perform on the test reef tank(s)? Did they run a comparison with another similar tank side by side and do regular water changes on it? If so, what where the intervals? One month, one week? It doesn't seem like the water change schedual they propose would be a significant difference from that a monthly change. Now weekly changes that would be a different story. Do you see where I am going with this? The big question.... WERE THEIR TEST METHODS AND PROCEEDURES VALID? Thus far I am a sceptic. I will continue with there next claim in a new post.....

[The R/C Man]

Back again with the next claim......


Eliminates Cloudy and Yellowing water
ECO-AqualizerTMeradicates excess Nutrient accumulation with its Patented "negative ionic energy". This in turn, completely eliminates both Cloudy and Yellowing water possibilities.
Cloudy water is the result of bacterial blooms. Yellowing water is the result of high level of phenols. Both conditions above will multiply at a high rate when Nutrients become excessive. However, excess Nutrients can be easily removed with constant Oxidation of organic compounds. ECO-AqualizerTMprovides such constant Oxidation by continuously reducing the ionic bond between molecules. This initiates a state of "electron excitation" which serve as a catalyst for both rapid and immediate Oxidation of nutrients.
Eliminating excess nutrients will starve the unneeded bacteria colonies resulting in a overall, year-round clearing of the water. Best of all, the ECO-AqualizerTMis guaranteed to ensure that your aquarium will NEVER again become Cloudy nor appear to have a Yellowish tint.

Like I said I am not a chemist and don't even enjoy it but here is my stab at this one. So the negative ionic energy is messing with the natural bonding of molecules in the sea water.... Ok..... So the yellowing and cloudy water can be fixed by removing excess nutrients. This is done with oxidation. (like a protein skimmer?) Oh, messing with the ionic bonds again I see..... So even if they do interrupt this bond as the saline solution passes through the miracle chamber molecules such as they are will just return back to there original state upon exiting the device correct? Remember basic Bio101? Valance electrons and all that? One shell gives up electrons to another bla bla bla....
Definitions again.....
ox·i·da·tion ( k s -d sh n) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. The combination of a substance with oxygen.
2. A reaction in which the atoms in an element lose electrons and the valence of the element is correspondingly increased.

cat‧a‧lyst /ˈkæt l ɪst/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kat-l-ist] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.

Chemistry. A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.




Phenol, also known under an older name of carbolic acid, is a colorless crystalline solid with a typical sweet tarry odor. Its chemical formula is C6H5OH and its structure is that of a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to a phenyl ring; it is thus an aromatic compound.
[edit]
Phenols

Main article: phenols
The word phenol is also used to refer to any compound which contains a six-membered aromatic ring, bonded directly to a hydroxyl group (-OH). In effect, phenols are a class of organic compounds of which the phenol discussed in this article is the simplest member.
[edit]
Properties

Phenol has a limited solubility in water (8.3 g/100 ml). It is slightly acidic: the phenol molecule has weak tendencies to lose the H+ ion from the hydroxyl group, resulting in the highly water-soluble phenolate anion C6H5O−. Compared to aliphatic alcohols, phenol shows much higher acidity. This is due primarily to inductive effects, contrary to popular belief that mesomeric effects play a significant role.[verification needed]


Ok I have to admit I am lost on the whole phenol thing. I would have to assume the acidic properties are a bi-products of metabolism and the other chemical processes occurring in the tank....With that said. Doesn't carbon remove this yellowing from the water? It absorbs (has a strong molecular bond to the substance) phenol so it can be extracted from the closed system.

How can this thing serve as a catalyst when it doesn't add any substance into the water column? Hmmm.

Eliminates nutrients form the water column? How so? By bonding to oxygen? (Protein skimmer) Then what it magically floats out of the system into the air.

The more I read into this the more upset I become. I feel as my intelligence has been insulted. On the other hand maybe I am just really ignorant about this whole subject and it is way over my head. If so, let me apologize.

[The R/C Man]

As I was going down their list and I veared off a bit and was reading more of their articles on how it works. Here is some more... This sounds good until you check out the installation as it contradicts it. If the following statements are true wouldn't it be best to have the device on the skimmers intake side? Then you would be utilizing its benifits to the utmost.

ECO-AqualizerTM restores this reactivity using specific polarity and far infrared radiation. These combined forces in a vacuum sealed reaction chamber, allow ionization of passing water molecules which reduces Hydrogen Bonding. Reducing hydrogen bonds increases molecular interactions in water causing:
1) Toxins to become more free floating for easier and effective removal. XX xxxX Xx
2) Oxygen atoms to be more bio-available for utilization by the red blood cells. xxx
3) Nutrients and trace elements to be diffused for easier selective uptake. x
4) Reduces "surface tension" so that carbon.dioxide and other harmful gases canescape more readily. xx xxxxx .
5) Halogens such as Na+Cl- become freed .up to naturally sterilize contaminants.
Your water stays cleaner and fresher for much longer, filter efficiency increases, utilization of nutrients improves, water interactions increase (ORP) and rate of dissolved oxygen increases. These all contribute to a healthier functioning aquarium where fish's immune system can more easily fight off and silence diseases once and for all.


D)Installed with Protein SkimmersCan be installed BEFORE or AFTER any protein skimmer.
Only ONE unit is needed per aquarium.
Use X series (X75 , X150 , or X225)

[Mr.Firemouth]

I bought one and noticed no benefit. I didn't notice anything different. I discontinued the use of the product. Scientifically speaking I don't know if it works or not. I didn't see anything different in maintenance with or without it.