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CHEAPER ENZYMES

OldMan&theWeed

OldMan&theWeed

Member
Enzymes prevent root rot from fungus and bacteria. They also may help enhance growth and yield. Most people willingly shell out almost $40 per grow for a liter of the stuff to keep their gardens healthy.

Is there a better way? I believe there is.

Let’s look at what’s out there:

CANNAZYM
cannazym_lg.jpg


SENSIZYM
sensi%20Zym.gif


HYGROZYME
HygrozymeEnzymatic.jpg


All these products promise to break down dead root material and prevent root rot. Each $40 liter is meant to treat about 100 gallons of nutrient solution. If you’re stingy with the stuff you may be able to stretch it out to 200 gallons.


I don’t believe ANY of these companies make their own enzymes. Enzymes are a commodity. There is a world-wide market for them and they are made by a handful of factories that produce them and sell them wholesale to other factories where they are consumed in various industrial processes or formulated into different products, or to firms that dilute them, package them in liter or gallon containers, and market them as household products such as drain-cleaners, pond cleaners, or hydroponics additives. It is the pond cleaners that have got my attention.

Pond cleaners
Like the enzymes packaged for hydroponics use, these pool enzymes claim to digest and promote the reduction of organic matter and convert it into nitrogen and water, all the while being completely non-toxic to living plants and animals.
pond-zyme-sm.jpg

nice-n-easy-pond-cleaner.jpg


Some of these pond enzymes are so concentrated that two liters are enough to treat one acre-foot. An acre-foot is 325,851.4 U.S. gallons! That means one liter of pond enzyme is meant to treat OVER 150,000 GALLONS verses the diluted Cannazym, SensiZym, or Hygrozyme which are only meant to treat 100 gallons.

http://www.stillpondfarm.com/Microbelift_Concentrated_Barley_Straw_Extract_p/rmlcbse.htm

http://myownstore.aquaticbiologists.com/Product_detail.aspx?ProductID=3241

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/fountain-cleaner.do#

http://myownstore.aquaticbiologists.com/Product_detail.aspx?ProductID=3249

http://www.azponds.com/microbe_lift.htm


Based on the product descriptions I believe the ONLY difference between enzymes marketed to gardeners and pond owners is CONCENTRATION.

I propose that a gardener could buy a liter of one of these pond cleaners, dilute it at say 10 ml per liter, and save himself hundreds of dollars. :woohoo:


P.S. I’m not the first person to pick up on this:

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=80045&highlight=enzymes
 
~fvk~

~fvk~

the Lion is going Guerrilla...
Yeah, I need to get ahold of an enzyme. I was thinking Hygro. I know there's a difference between all of them, but I can't remember which one made the moot point, ha. I don't even remember what the moot point was...

Got bins upon bins of coco that'll eventually be reused for vegging plants. Can't be wasteful now...
 
OldMan&theWeed

OldMan&theWeed

Member
~fvk~ said:
Yeah, I need to get ahold of an enzyme. I was thinking Hygro. I know there's a difference between all of them, but I can't remember which one made the moot point, ha. I don't even remember what the moot point was...

Got bins upon bins of coco that'll eventually be reused for vegging plants. Can't be wasteful now...
Click to expand...

The main difference in enzyme products sold in hydroponics stores is that some of them, like Cannazym, contain live microbes (which they use as selling point) while Hygrozyme and SensiZym are sterile (which THEY use as a selling point).

What’s interesting is that pond enzyme products make the same selling points about either being loaded with live microbes, or being sterile. Often times of two products offered by the same seller one will contain micro-life and one will be sterile - just as in done in the hydroponics market. The REAL difference between enzymes sold for use in ponds, and enzymes sold for hydroponics use is their concentrations.

For example, Bio Boost Enzyme #75 dosage rate is 30 ml per 1000 gallons

http://myownstore.aquaticbiologists.com/Product_detail.aspx?ProductID=3249

While from the same company is offered Bio Boost Enzyme 300, which is so concentrated that one liter will treat 325,869 gallons of water and users are cautioned to “Wear proper safety equipment including rubber gloves and eye protection when handling or applying ABI BIO BOOST enzyme.”

http://myownstore.aquaticbiologists.com/Product_detail.aspx?ProductID=3241

Then there’s Mother Nature's Pond Clarifier natural, barley-based enzyme which has a dosage rate of 1⁄4 cup (1 oz) per 1,000 gallons of water.

http://www.pristineponds.com/enzymeinstructions.htm

And then there is Fountain Cleaner, which promises to be, “safe for birds, pets and plants.” A 16-fl.-oz. bottle treats up to 6400 gallons, and costs less than 20 bucks.

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/home/improvements/43427-fountain-cleaner.html

Compare any of these with the $40 bottle of enzyme from the hydro store, diluted down so it will only treat 100 gallons.

But what about those magical ingredients, things like Cannazym’s extracts of, “rare desert plants?” I believe this would be nothing more than yucca, which is used as a non-ionic surfactant. A pound of the stuff (enough to treat 100s of gallons) sells for about 10 bucks.

I’m done with shelling out 20 times more than I have to. I’ve been on my same bottle of pond enzyme for a year. I dilute it 1:10 with water in my old Cannazym bottle and apply it just like I did Cannazym.

I don’t want to be accused of spamming so I’ll refrain from saying which brand of pool enzyme I’ve been using. I doesn’t matter anyway, aside from their dilution ratios they’re all pretty much identical.
 
Kosmo

Kosmo

Member
I once heard of a good way to test enzyme products but have yet to try myself. Take a glass cup(mason jar) fill 25% your enzyme product and the other 25% water. Stir then add some organic matter, the example i read they used an apple. The idea was that the stronger and more concentrated product would brake down the apple faster, thus being more economical once diluted.

Ive also given some thought over enzyme products, especially these last months and since started using Home-Made Bokashi as my cheap alternative to most hydro sold enzyme products. Thanks for sharing OldMan&theWeed
 
OldMan&theWeed

OldMan&theWeed

Member
Kosmo said:
I once heard of a good way to test enzyme products but have yet to try myself. Take a glass cup(mason jar) fill 25% your enzyme product and the other 25% water. Stir then add some organic matter, the example i read they used an apple. The idea was that the stronger and more concentrated product would brake down the apple faster, thus being more economical once diluted.
Click to expand...

I’m skeptical that you could brew your own enzymes in that way, but I’m skeptical of most things. Maybe it would work.

As far as making your own enzymes, the one thing that has caught my attention are enzymes made from barley straw. According to what I’ve read barley-based enzyme has been used for centuries as a natural water clarifier. As the straw decomposes it produces natural enzymes. They sell a product called Barley Bails that might be a good source of enzymes, especially for those growers that like everything 100% organic:

http://www.carefreeenzymes.com/id17.html

I imagine you could put one or two of these in a five-gallon pail of water, add some molasses, plug in an aerator and see what brews.

Here’s a whole page of barley straw enzyme products designed to clarify ponds:

http://www.aqua-mart.com/barley

I have tried none of these, nor do I plan to. I’m quite satisfied with using the concentrated pond enzyme product I have now. At the rate I’m using it the $20 liter bottle will still be half full by this time next year.
 
D

dongle69

OldMan&theWeed said:
I’m done with shelling out 20 times more than I have to. I’ve been on my same bottle of pond enzyme for a year. I dilute it 1:10 with water in my old Cannazym bottle and apply it just like I did Cannazym.

I don’t want to be accused of spamming so I’ll refrain from saying which brand of pool enzyme I’ve been using. I doesn’t matter anyway, aside from their dilution ratios they’re all pretty much identical.
Click to expand...

I doubt you would be accused of spamming.
Please share with us what you use and what enzymes are in it...
 
Dee9

Dee9

Member
How about digestive enzymes found in the health store?
A capsule will typically contain:
amylase
lipase
cellulase
lactase
protease
derived from fermented grain

I sprinkle a capsule content on my coir that I would like to re-use, and it seems to keep the left over roots from going moldy...

Not too expensive to.
 
~fvk~

~fvk~

the Lion is going Guerrilla...
OldMan&theWeed said:
The main difference in enzyme products sold in hydroponics stores is that some of them, like Cannazym, contain live microbes (which they use as selling point) while Hygrozyme and SensiZym are sterile (which THEY use as a selling point).

What’s interesting is that pond enzyme products make the same selling points about either being loaded with live microbes, or being sterile. Often times of two products offered by the same seller one will contain micro-life and one will be sterile - just as in done in the hydroponics market. The REAL difference between enzymes sold for use in ponds, and enzymes sold for hydroponics use is their concentrations.

For example, Bio Boost Enzyme #75 dosage rate is 30 ml per 1000 gallons

http://myownstore.aquaticbiologists.com/Product_detail.aspx?ProductID=3249

While from the same company is offered Bio Boost Enzyme 300, which is so concentrated that one liter will treat 325,869 gallons of water and users are cautioned to “Wear proper safety equipment including rubber gloves and eye protection when handling or applying ABI BIO BOOST enzyme.”

http://myownstore.aquaticbiologists.com/Product_detail.aspx?ProductID=3241

Then there’s Mother Nature's Pond Clarifier natural, barley-based enzyme which has a dosage rate of 1⁄4 cup (1 oz) per 1,000 gallons of water.

http://www.pristineponds.com/enzymeinstructions.htm

And then there is Fountain Cleaner, which promises to be, “safe for birds, pets and plants.” A 16-fl.-oz. bottle treats up to 6400 gallons, and costs less than 20 bucks.

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/home/improvements/43427-fountain-cleaner.html

Compare any of these with the $40 bottle of enzyme from the hydro store, diluted down so it will only treat 100 gallons.

But what about those magical ingredients, things like Cannazym’s extracts of, “rare desert plants?” I believe this would be nothing more than yucca, which is used as a non-ionic surfactant. A pound of the stuff (enough to treat 100s of gallons) sells for about 10 bucks.

I’m done with shelling out 20 times more than I have to. I’ve been on my same bottle of pond enzyme for a year. I dilute it 1:10 with water in my old Cannazym bottle and apply it just like I did Cannazym.

I don’t want to be accused of spamming so I’ll refrain from saying which brand of pool enzyme I’ve been using. I doesn’t matter anyway, aside from their dilution ratios they’re all pretty much identical.
Click to expand...

Hey bro, thanks for all the info. Very good thread and thanks for sharing this with us. Enzymes don't get discussed a whole lot. You're right though, that's why I was going with Hygrozyme but couldn't remember. I don't cater to bacteria in my root zone. Keep on man, we know you aren't spamming.
 
gmanwho

gmanwho

Well-known member
Veteran
im curious what product u are using as well. I seriously wouldnt want to try anything that could potentially hurt my plants. So if you tried it please share.

For a guess, u said u dilute 1:10, with the dilluting ratios from previous post, then the barley based enzyme thread, it gotta be natures pond clarifier. ??? yes no?

Im always looking for cost effective ways, and another reason not to goto the hydro store.

great read.

B-safe
 
OldMan&theWeed

OldMan&theWeed

Member
I've been using Pond Protector. It contains the very same hydrolyzing enzymes (amylases, proteases, lipase, cellulase, beta-glucanase, and pectinase) that are contained in the enzyme products sold in the hydroponic stores.

As I said before, the only difference is the concentrations.
 
P

PonicalChillin

I don’t believe ANY of these companies make their own enzymes.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure Sipco (Hygrozyme) makes their own enzymes. They are a medial company specializing in zymes. I could be wrong though..


I do know NIMBY from back in the OG days swore by stresszyme from walmart. He also ran clear bubblers with no issue at all.

Peace
 
D

dongle69

OldMan&theWeed said:
I've been using Pond Protector....As I said before, the only difference is the concentrations.
Click to expand...

Are you using the 32 oz concentrate or the reg 16 oz (non concentrated)?
Are you following their application rates?
Curious curious curious....
 
AndreNicky

AndreNicky

Member
Well based on price he stated(20$) im guessing he uses the 16 oz bottle, diluted to 1:10 strength and then apply it just like cannazym. This is all based on what Oldman has said
 
D

dongle69

The 16oz instructions say 1 capful for 100 gallons.
Dilute more?
 
Last edited:
OldMan&theWeed

OldMan&theWeed

Member
~fvk~ said:
. . . I don't cater to bacteria in my root zone. Keep on man, we know you aren't spamming.
Click to expand...

It is better to have bacteria that are living for all the steps necessary to carry out the breakdown of specific materials. Enzymes are just the catalysts the bacteria use to help absorb food through the cell membranes. The bacteria produce enzymes, much like we do in our own mouths, stomachs and intestines, in the digestive process. The enzymes are only half the equation. They are merely tools used by bacteria.
 
OldMan&theWeed

OldMan&theWeed

Member
dongle69 said:
The 16oz instructions say 1 cupful for 100 gallons.
Dilute more?
Click to expand...

I've been using the regular Pond Protector (The concentrate is the same stuff though) diluted 1:10. With this dilution I still haven't finished off my first bottle after a year. I'm watching to see if it goes bad.

According to what I’ve read the shelf life for liquid bacterial products is approximately 2 years in an unopened container, 1 year after being opened if stored properly. Usually if it is pinkish or brownish in color, it should be alright. It is definitely bad if it is whitish-grey and has a burnt rubber smell.

Reading up I've found that dry enzyme products probably have an extended shelf life well beyond what is usually stated on the label. The dry formulations consist of multiple strains of spore forming microorganisms and these microorganisms can stay in the spore form (dormant state) for an indefinite period of time when properly stored.

The next time around I'll go dry and see how that works.
 
OldMan&theWeed

OldMan&theWeed

Member
PonicalChillin said:
I'm pretty sure Sipco (Hygrozyme) makes their own enzymes. They are a medial company specializing in zymes. I could be wrong though..


I do know NIMBY from back in the OG days swore by stresszyme from walmart. He also ran clear bubblers with no issue at all.

Peace
Click to expand...

Yeah, SIPCO does make their own enzymes:

"SIPCO'S "HYGROZYME A REVOLUTIONARY BREAKTHROUGH IN HORTICULTURAL CLEANING Sipco Industries Ltd. was incorporated in 1974 and began development/production of Enzymatic Biotechnologies over 15 years ago."

I'm skeptical of the other companies though. It'd be so much cheaper just to buy a concentrate, water it down, maybe add a surfactant like yucca (calling it a rare desert plant), bottle it up, and sell it on the market to gulible growers for $40 a liter.

And Stress Zyme does look promising.
 
smoke1sun

smoke1sun

What Goes Around Comes Around. But Am I Comming Or
Veteran
Did u get my PM about testing your enzymes, on another site a guy posted an article from canna, about a diy enzyme test. one with apple sauce and one with paper i think. Is any one with the product willing to try the test?
 
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