Vitamin and other suppliment Cube

[cchung718]

My friend uses this cube thing that melts in the water and it is supposed to release vitamins, buffer, calcium and all kinds of good stuff. It's also supposed to get rid of nitrate, according to my friend. Has anyone hear of this mystery CUBE? If so, what is it called, and does it really work for FO tanks? Thanks

 

[nm reef]

is it made by Mark Weiss

 

[broomer5]

I've seen "Balancing Blocks" that are white cubes that come in various sizes for different tank sizes. Some as small as rolling dice for small tanks, others the size of a brick for 150gal+ tanks.
They are used to help maintain pH and manufacturer claims they add trace elements as well. You toss one in your tank or sump and walk away.
I was checking them out at lfs and asked the owner how well they work. He said they do a decent job of keeping your pH up if all other water quality parameters are good.
Then I asked if he used them and he sort of winked and said " no ".
Apparently they will only disolve and release carabonate/bicarbonate to the degree necessary to bring pH up to 8.3
Never heard of one of these blocks being able to reduce nitrates though, and I've never actually tried them.
Brian