Black powder reef additive

[vhotank]

Hey, Is anyone familiar with a product by Mark Weiss called Black Powder? The guy that I get my live rock from tells me to use it, but I really dont see any results that would convince me to continue to use it. Its rather pricey, seems to me. Have been using it daily for about 3 months. Thanks for any input.

 

[big o]

do a search for mark wiess

 

[vhotank]

Thanks for advise, but no luck with that search.

 

[Kenzy]

Here's one http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16877&highlight=powder

and another http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22419&highlight=powder

There's more if you've got the time.[/url]

 

[Anonymous]

It's pretty much the same thing as blood meal fertilzer. It's a great hair and film algae generator!!! :lol:

 

[ScottC]

witch's brew

just another suppliment to add into your tank. Some people swear by it, others curse it. I know the guy, Marc Weiss, a bit of a crack-pot. Your call, but I feel less is more when it comes to additives.

 

[tarponjim]

Powdered snake oil. Just my opinion.

 

[Newts]

When I first started this hobby 3+ years ago I was sold this stuff and told it was great stuff for sponges tunicates and other filter feeders.So I used it regularly for a couple years.Then started to read all the bashing of this and other M.Wiess products on this board and others.So due to the price and all the bad stuff I read I stopped using it to see if there would be a difference.I also had in my tank a nice baseball size yellow ball sponge witch was growing and always looked healthy.After a few months of not using it my sponge didn't look like it was growing like before.After another month or so it looked like it was getting smaller and didn't look as well as before.So I tried some other stuff that is a dried phytplankton called Phytoplan by Two Little Fishies.I still have the sponge but it never started to grow again it just stays the same size.I use it ounce and a while,but due to the cost not as mutch as before and also use Phytoplan still.The sponge looks good.My point with this long story is I think the product is good,just too expensive.Also I never had problems with nuisance algeas when I used it regularly and don't understand why people bash it with such passion.The only thing people seem to dislike is the fact they don't know what its made of,and they blame algea outbreaks on it.The way I see it,there are many other reasons that someone could have algea problems.This is just my exp. with it.If it didn't cost so mutch I would use it all the time like I use to.I don't think its SNAKE OIL!I wonder how many people that give it this name have actually used it or are just going by what they heard from someone who wanted to blame their problems on it.Just my opinions and thoughts.P.S.Remember too mutch of anything is bad.HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 

[vhotank]

Thanks to all, a note about the algae comments, I dont consider the small amount of hair that pops up now and then to be abnormal. the amino acids that this product contain are considered by some to be vital to , and sometimes missing from captive reefs. I think I will continue to use the product but will cut back to every other day or so, at least for another 6 months. thanks again :

 

[SPC]

Posted by Newts:

The only thing people seem to dislike is the fact they don't know what its made of,and they blame algea outbreaks on it.The way I see it,there are many other reasons that someone could have algea problems.

-And other reasons for your sponges growth too?

I wonder how many people that give it this name have actually used it or are just going by what they heard from someone who wanted to blame their problems

-Or use it because they believe your sponge story??

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

marc weiss products are good for only one thing...


MARC WEISS'S BANK ACCOUNT!!!

one of the best snake oil salesmen of the past decade or two.


before anyone attributes any positive or negative cause and effect relationships to any product-they should do it scientifically, not on the basis of a personal, anecdotal, untested observation :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I used it and then didn't use it. Saw no difference.

Now that I am more seasoned, I really don't like to put unknown substances into my tank - 'specially if there is only anecdotal support for its use.

 

[Newts]

Or use it because they believe your sponge story??

Steve

Or don't use it because they believe someones algea outbreak story was due to it.I'm not saying the stuff is the greatest thing around,but I don't believe its useless.SPC have you ever used it for any time or are you going by someone elses story.I've used it, then stopped using it,then used it again and saw a difference each time in one of my living organisms.So I'm not going by what someone elses story but by my own trial and error.

 

[SPC]

Posted by Newts:

Or don't use it because they believe someones algea outbreak story was due to it.I'm not saying the stuff is the greatest thing around,but I don't believe its useless.

-I'm sure you don't believe its useless.

SPC have you ever used it for any time or are you going by someone elses story.

-No, I have never used it, I put nothing in my reef that I can't confirm the ingredients. With thousands of dollars invested in my reef and the lives of animals that I took on the responsibility to care for, I'm not goung to dump something into the water that I have no idea what it is.

I've used it, then stopped using it,then used it again and saw a difference each time in one of my living organisms.
So I'm not going by what someone elses story but by my own trial and error.

-Yes and that was my point. Without a scientific study, which starts with an analysis of what the product is made of, there could be many reasons for this change to your animals. Righty used your approach and his trial showed the product is ineffective.
Steve

 

[Trigger Me Happy]

I generally try not to use products which do not list their ingredients.

Todd

 

[Anonymous]

I used it, then stopped using it because it did not have any noticable difference in anything, except less money in my pockets. And like righty, I purchased it when I was a rookie. Now, like SPC, I don't add anything in the tank if the ingedients are unknown, and the effects/benefits aren't proven.

I still have most of the bottle in my fridge. If anyone wants it, stop by and pick it up anytime. If it's donated in the name of science, I should be able to take a charitable deduction on my income taxes.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

and for those of you who live on the other side of the nation, i am in Oregon, i will donate mine. i will also throw in the Spectra-Vital.

 

[Newts]

I knew I should have kept my story to my self.Every time I see this topic come up, the "Marc Wiess Police" come out.For some reason maybe because of the holidays I just had to tell my story.I knew better. :roll: I'll hang my head in shame.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Newts. Don't keep your story to yourself. I'm sure vhotank wants to hear from both sides, so the he can make his OWN decision. From what I've seen so far in this thread, his decision will be a fairly simple one. My opinion on Weiss is based purly on MY experience, not from anything I read here or anywhere else!

Louey

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I usually refrain from commenting, but I couldn't resist on this topic. I experimented using 'Black Powder', and it has earned my scorn.
A hefty price tag and deceptive packaging {little bag inside a big can} were the first clues something was amiss. No ingredients being listed on that big can was another tip-off. I saw no results when using the recommended dosage of 'Black Powder'- or even when increasing the dosage. It is truly one of the very few 'reef aquarium related products' I have personally purchased that made me feel 'ripped off'. I should have used the money spent on 'Black Powder' to purchase a years' supply of nori. {Please see my website to evaluate my credentials.}