ComboVital -BlackPowder/SpectraVital

[Makaiveli]

Does anyone have experience with this stuff?

How is it? What's the result? Any spare knowledge to impart?

[Makaiveli]

it sounds like awesome product.

No one here has used it? Come on folks, quit lying.

[slipknottin]

You could just add some sugar to your tank, would do the same thing for much cheaper.

[glower0617]

What is this stuff? What is it supposed to do?

[Makaiveli]

Can you explain that slipknottin? What would sugar do? I'm not clear on how ComboVital works either.

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli
I'm not clear on how ComboVital works either.

Such is the point of his products. ;)

[Makaiveli]

Well I'll let you know the results after a few weeks. So far, when I add the ComboVital; immediately the hermits get excited, and shortly after the anemone's stand tall and move their tentacles around.

[Makaiveli]

This is what Dr Fosters says about the product. ComboVital is a combination of these 2 products.

Coral-Vital contains all-natural, aquatic, biological enzyme catalysts that tremendously enhance the growth of coralline algaes, anemones, sea mushrooms, and sponges. It makes corals open up, and also promotes coral regeneration and reproduction. Additionally, Coral-Vital breaks down ammonia, nitrates, and organic wastes and can be used to help cycle new aquariums. 6 fl. oz. treats over 3,500 gallons.

Try this on-target, direct pigment priming and growth enhancement application and you'll see why BlackPowder blows the competition out of the water. Designed to maximize growth and color in everything from anemones to coral, sea apples to sea cucumbers, filter feeders to cryptic organisms! No plankton, no waste! Your living reef comes vibrantly alive with BlackPowder. 112 grams treats up to 5,000 gallons.


ComboVital mixes two parts Blackpowder and one part Spectra Vital. The combination of these two products will bring to colorful life organisms you didn't even know existed in your live rock. 5 ounces treats up to 5,000 gallons.

I don't understand the ingredients and how it works yet.

Okay...so I just read this, and I like what I hear.

I also have noticed a rapid increase in copepod/amphipods in the tank. I think this stuff is awesome.

http://www.aquasurge.co.uk/articles_spectra.html

[Makaiveli]

Marc Weiss was the first to propagate many types of sponges using a specially prepared product that evolved into SpectraVital™. Actually, the product was initially developed as a dietary enhancement for discus fish. When the product was first modified in an attempt to feed sponges, wild collected sponges started growing and 'new' sponges started appearing on the live rock in one of Marc's office aquariums. It was Rick Greenfield, President of CaribSea that noticed the significance of this and encouraged Marc to pursue the development of a sponge food. Rick was seeing sponges grow on repeat visits, including those not previously known to grow in captivity. They were thriving on Marc's new diet.
SpectraVital™ later became instrumental to the raising of Centropyge angelfishes and a wrasse species - as a larval prey supplement and brood stock diet supplement. Marc noted that so many different organisms were growing he almost forgot the fish! The product, then simply designated "formula SMV+" was then sent in limited quantities to various professional aquarists for testing.
A while after that, in the mid 90's, I was introduced to this red powder and was told it would sustain not only low light invertebrates such as non-photosynthetic gorgonians, sponges and Dendronephthya, but also provide additional nourishment for Tridacna clams and SPS corals. Marc asked me to call Rick Greenfield of CaribSea for the results he was already having with this product. Rick's overwhelming success in his dimly lit sponge tank convinced me to set up a small 20 gallon test tank with various sponges, feather dusters, a piece of ahermatypic coral, i.e., Tubastrea, and a Sea Squirt (Polycarpa aurata). This aquarium, with only one 9 watt lamp and a six watt pump, was a colorful attraction in my office. It was also easy to maintain, as it remained basically algae free.
Due to world politics the product's main ingredient became difficult to obtain. When that occurred my small reef aquarium was doing exceptionally well with everything looking healthy and getting larger. I cut back on the supply of the product so as to stretch out what remained as long as possible. Other plankton-like foods were substituted. Yet, after a few months it became clear that none of the substitutes were as good as the Marc Weiss product. My beautiful yellow and purple Sea Squirt was the first to show signs it was starving as it became smaller and smaller. Some of the sponges began to exhibit small white areas and the animals in general appeared frozen in time, as there was no new growth. I finally gave the tank and stand to my grandchildren who converted it to a freshwater aquarium.
A couple of years later Marc was able to find a method to culture the organisms contained in "SMV+" himself and was able to build up continuous supplies and began marketing the item as Spectra-Vital™. I again started using the product in other systems, again with excellent results.
Whether in a well-lit reef aquarium, a refugium, or a low light environment, SpectraVital™ seems to make a positive difference in the health of its filter/suspension feeding organisms. I've also found it a great product to feed live brine shrimp prior to them being fed to the animals in the aquarium. Each SpectraVital™ package contains two ounces of these special ingredients and a measuring spoon. That's enough to treat several thousand gallons of water. It's now possible to keep most of the more difficult filter-feeding organisms.
As good as SpectraVital™ is, Marc continued to progress with even more extraordinary products. Early last year he sent me his newest creation, one that was code-named "BlackPowder". However the name has stuck and it is being marketed as such.
Unlike his previous products that depended on enzymes and primarily vegetable matter, this product in part is fractionated from animal sources resulting in a bio-available electrically charged amino acid complex. What's quite interesting and different from other snow-like plankton products is that BlackPowder™ doesn't contain plankton or fish oils. It contains only what is known to be rapidly utilized and digested. Therefore there's minimal leftover waste to degrade. Also, the particle size of BlackPowder™ is intentionally varied so that initially a large range of organisms, including some fishes, can consume it. There is also a time release effect as in nature, where the colloids dissolve, yet retain their electrical potential.
Since the product is actually self-digesting, thereby producing more colloids as it consumes others in a cycle, you can either allow it to proceed or continue to add more before what's left is consumed. Those who feed plankton products cannot make that statement! Hopefully, professional aquarists and hobbyists are taking note! In fact, commercial propagators of corals who have already tested this product are raving about the growth rate of their specimens. Keep in mind that utilization of the product is so effective that anemones, sea apples, zoanthids, tree corals, large and small polyp stony corals, as well as some filter feeders, e.g., forams, and many more, including Goniopora, will benefit.
All of Marc's products are polar charged bio-colloidal products, including BlackPowder™, and are formulated from what were originally living cells. There's much time and effort in producing these products. It's simply not a little bit of inorganic salts added to freshwater! These ingredients need to be cultured and bio-fractionated into the components needed to adequately insure an uninterrupted supply.
With proper use of Marc's products, captive reef systems seem to exhibit not only enhanced coloration and rapid growth, they thrive! All without excess waste products leftover as is the case when less thought out products are used. Marc notes that many filter feeders should more correctly be described as 'suspension feeders' and that true 'marine or reef snows' are colloids, some produced outside the reef. They simply drift in and out in a cyclical fashion and can be in a constant state of flux. Some are merely inedible vehicles to carry edible microbes, while others provide primary nutrition in and of themselves.
Unlike shotgun approach products consisting of lecithin, cod liver oil, yeast, dried undefined plankton, Spirulina and the like, Marc actually grows the cultures and fractionates the necessary colloids, then incorporates them in his products. So, as in nature, there's a rapid and complete on-target utilization of BlackPowder™. There's no duplication and preservation of a dead organic mixture. The product becomes alive and creates more colloids until they're all consumed! No preservatives are used, which can kill desirable micro-flora and micro-fauna in the aquarium. A quarter pound jar dosed at a quarter teaspoon per fifty gallons a day goes a long way in the average aquarium. Commercial usage or use in large propagation systems may require more.
With what appears to be almost an infinite number of species of critters, seen and unseen, that can populate a reef aquarium it has become apparent there's an overlap in the requirements of some organisms. One nutrient package and one catalyst cannot address the entire spectrum of reef life, as there are many components involved in nutrient and trace element components.
Now that he had two great products (SpectraVital™ and BlackPowder™), I had to ask Marc a 'What's the difference between SpectraVital™ and BlackPowder™? Are both needed, and if so, why? His answer is as follows -"Most prebiotics and probiotics come from the plant kingdom and many reef creatures favor plant based nutrition. SpectraVital ™ addresses this situation, yet the carnivorous and photosynthetic anemone for example appear to do better when both are used, as will many other organisms - we don't exactly know what many require - some appear to "switch hit".
In the preceding anemone example, the pigments it requires in protecting itself from the damaging effects of excessive light are formed from plant matter. SpectraVital™ contains these pigment precursors (building blocks), which in the presence of a catalyst (either the small amounts present in the aquarium or provided by our Coral Vital™ or Reef Vital DNA™ products, allows the anemone to manufacture these pigments to its own specifications. Likewise, corals and other organisms do the same. Where many sponges or flame scallops for example are concerned, SpectraVital™ provides both primary nourishment and secondary protective benefits.
I recommend SpectraVital ™ be used in newly established reef systems as it greatly benefits live rock and newly forming microbial colonies. In the first month the hobbyist can often see growths of unexpected life in the aquarium - even look under the rock for "cryptic" sponges to appear. In the beginning, use BlackPowder™ sparingly; it is high in protein. Additional life will appear such as copepods and "free" polyps and hard corals and carnivorous reef life when added will go for it. After a few weeks I'm sure you'll want to use both SpectraVital™ and BlackPowder™ . Don't forget that Coral Vital ™ or Reef Vital DNA™ will enhance these products and move the microbial process faster along in the aquarium. Oh, I have tell them about ComboVital™......
Yes, before I close, I should note that Marc is now offering a combination SpectraVital™ and BlackPowder™ called ComboVital™. Without a doubt, its a product that should be on every reef keepers must use list. Marc says that most consumers were mixing it anyway - about three quarters of BlackPowder™ to one quarter of SpectraVital™ and he figured he would accommodate them and conveniently package it that way.
In closing, this industry needs more companies that are willing to produce products that are in tune with the needs of the microbe, as they are the true foundation of every closed system.

[rayjay]

Visit Dr Ron's site on Reef Central and do a search on these Marc Weis products.
In his analysis, these products and many others, were not much better than adding water.
When reading reports of a product by someone who sells it, or may be connected to someone selling it, suspect their motives for giving a good report. How many times will you see a bad report given by someone selling that product?
Dr. Ron's testing was of different products by different manufacturers
I believe DT's phytoplankton was one of the good ones.

[Makaiveli]

Yes I understand alterior motives, and hidden agendas.

So far the product has obvious results much different than as you put it "just adding water".

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli

So far the product has obvious results much different than as you put it "just adding water".

As I said, it is adding sugar water.

All his products are complete and utter BS, and rely on lies, misleading studies, and consumer stupidity.

[Makaiveli]

How do you know this slip?

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli
How do you know this slip?

Because otherwise he would be able to tell you what is in those bottles. :p

There are no secret magical chemicals that do wonders for the reef.

[rayjay]

Here is the link to read Dr Ron's testing.
DR RON'S TESTING (http://web.archive.org/web/20030608112201/http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish/data/foods.asp)

[Makaiveli]

Slip, you could be absolutely right, yet at this point you're proposing an assumption built on partially reasonable thinking.

He could just as well not openly reveal the components, in order to prevent competition stealing his idea, or even understanding it and building similar products. That's just as reasonable.

In a few weeks and then months I'll let you know if there are any more noticable results.

[Makaiveli]

I don't think Dr Ron tested either of Marc Weiss's products. Coral Vital is a Kent Marine product.

Combo Vital, Spectra Vital, and Black Powder are what I'm talking about. Be well.

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli

He could just as well not openly reveal the components, in order to prevent competition stealing his idea, or even understanding it and building similar products. That's just as reasonable.


Thats what patents are for. He wont get a patent because he would have to reveal whats in the bottle. ;)

Suffice to say, if what he has is nothing new, inventive, or unique, he cant patent it.

[Makaiveli]

you might be absolutely right. yet patents aren't full proof. A patent only safeguards your exact recipe. If another company changes it up just slightly, they can release a product that is virtually the same, market it the same.

Hence, patents aren't fullproof.

It's all assumptions as of now.

[rayjay]

Lesson learned, next time I will have to check the names properly.
I still agree with slip.
Who wrote the "more info" posting above?
Some of the terminology used sounds guaranteed to befudle the unwary. Also, I was unable to find said words in any of the chemical and the biological glossaries a Google search provided. The writer left me with the impression he/she was fronting for the products.
Ask Dr Ron what he thinks and ask Randy Homes-Farley, both knowlegeable people.
Find out how many commercial propagation companies are using these products. (obviously ones that don't have commercial attachments to Marc Weis)
I was unable to find any of the captive fish raising industry that uses these products that are supposed to be benificial in the larval stages.
It sure reminds me of the item in my business that keeps cropping up and emptying my customers wallets. The gas saver, or mileage booster. Inventive word technology makes it sound like you are buying the miracle of the century.
If these things worked, the car companies would have been using them many years ago in order to meet the requirements of the EPA. Instead, they spend billions each year to give us better gas mileage that is legislated on them.

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli
A patent only safeguards your exact recipe.

He could put down the list of what is in his product. The exact measurments of each thing doesnt matter.

Of course someone could substitute other ingredients, but if you could substitue other ingredients, then his product isnt unique or special anyways. ;)

and rayjay, none of the coral propagation places Ive talked to use any of his products. In fact, they are all downright cynical of his products. Bring up Marc Weiss in a conversation with them and the word 'BS' frequently gets brought up. :p

Besides, in the world of aquarium additivies its up to the manufacturers to tell you whats in the product, and why you should add the product. Otherwise there are too many miracle products that promise all sorts of results, but none deliever on any of them.

[Makaiveli]

It's all assumption. I have a bottle of the Combo Vital, I'll post about it after weeks of use.

[Makaiveli]

I do not guarantee this is a sole result of using ComboVital.

my Pod population has had a dramatic increase.

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli

my Pod population has had a dramatic increase.

do me a favor. after you stop using coral vital. Try adding regular baker's yeast to your tank.

add relatively small amounts at first, a couple teaspoons or so.

[Makaiveli]

thanks though. you do it and let me know how it goes.

[slipknottin]

lol why not? its commonly used as a food supplement for corals and fish fry.

Personally id be more worried about adding something to the tank that I didnt know what it was...

[Makaiveli]

I haven't heard that.

Have you used it?

[OrionGirl]

I feed activated bakers yeast to live brine. No harm, doesn't cloud the water as badly as some of the commercial preparations.

[Makaiveli]

I just realized in the header I put "CoralVite" I meant "SpectraVital".

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli
I just realized in the header I put "CoralVite" I meant "SpectraVital".

Did you? ;)

[Makaiveli]

Yeah ComboVital is a mix of Black Powder and Spectra Vital.

CoralVital is something else.

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by Makaiveli
Yeah ComboVital is a mix of Black Powder and Spectra Vital.

CoralVital is something else.

I meant...

look at the thread title.

[Makaiveli]

I edited that, but when I refreshed it still showed CoralVite. In fact, it does in my reply browser as well.