rybal

http://fins.actwin.com/search.cgi?search=penac
Tom

ryan_suiso

As you can see from that link above the first post was made by me back in '98 when ADA first started using the Plocher Energy System.

I remember talking to the owner of my favorite LFS in Japan years ago about this and he was a little unsure of the effectiveness of it. At that time Aqua Journal was publishing a whole section to promote it. The LFS owner said he tried it, but cannot say for sure if it had any positive or negative impact on his 90cm tank.

I believe there were some controlled studies done by ADA and published in Aqua Journal. Take this for what it is worth. Amano is a businessman, but he also knows how to grow plants. I don't believe Amano would use it just to sell a new product unless it had some benefits other than monetary.

Nonetheless, I put this in the category of Supplements. I can't honestly knock it unless I have tried it.


Regards,

plantbrain

Generally, if I cannot get any positive effect, enhancement out of it, it's snake oil.

"Depends...." on what then?

Your methods.

If you have different methods and protocols, you might be limiting something and that will influence your results. This is most of the problems folks have when testing.

I rarely/seldom find folks that are able to do that and folks that ask about snake oils often have issues to begin with.

PO4 is a very good example. If you make sure the other parameters are non limiting, then it's not an issue dosing large amounts, this has held true for non CO2 tanks IME as well.

You can see a positive plant growth effect.
Dupla also said the same crap about cables and present "who knows what" as data for support.

Look, if it improves the "long term health" of the tank and is "subtle", heck, I can sugar and say the same thing.

That was the arguement for heat cables.

Something less subtle?
How about regular routine maintenance, water changes, filter cleanings, removal of any left over leaves, excess mulm............
Those don't cost 9$ an ounce.

If I already have awesome growth, no algae and rapid growth, why would I want or need a subtle product for enhancement?

Many people that do not use these products grow plants as nice if not nicer.
Green spot algae on Anubias is very common in a number of ADA's tanks. I know why.... and it's not a lack of Penac...

Nothing new, so what is it that this product will actually do for my tank under a controlled set up?

Is it going to growth the plants better? Help the bacterial cycling?

I add PO4, it'll help reduce glass algae, it'll help increase pearling, growth etc.
Same for CO2 and other nutrients.

Unless the methods address these other issues, I will remain skeptical.

Why would folks have issues and no results and some might?
Same was sdaid for Algone and other algicides.

This seems even less supportable.

Regards,
Tom Barr

jsenske

It is so interesting- all the chatter on this product does not go away even though everyone makes fun of it and calls it bunk, junk, snake oil and totally useless. I use it and I can get it anytime if anyone wants to try it for themselves.

People tell me I look younger and more radiant- when they ask my secret I say, "why it's PENAC, of course!".