General Microbiology

Chemical-Free Drain & Septic Treatment: Good for You and Planet Earth

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United-Tech develops revolutionary, highly effective products to treat organic waste. We aim to reduce dependency on harmful, caustic chemicals that often create more problems than they ‘solve.’

One such discovery is BZT Drain & Septic, a living, all-natural and biological product designed to treat and maintain healthy pipes, keep odors down naturally (by outcompeting H2S-forming bacteria for nutrients), and maintain biologically-balanced septic tanks.

Providing eco-friendly treatment solutions is our business. Drainlines and septic systems are a piece of cake for BZT. Odors are easily managed, drains flow free, and septic systems become much less of a hassle to maintain.

Then there are the extremes. For example, this Florida man recently died from Hydrogen Sulfide inhalation from his septic system. Though not a common occurrence, it can be treated - naturally - and prevented. For example, the microorganisms in BZT Drain & Septic outcompete H2S-forming bacteria for nutrients. This process in turn reduces or eliminates the foul-smelling fumes that often build up in these systems.

Why reduce your dependance on caustic chemicals? Many drain treatment products contain large amounts of acids, lye or other caustic compounds. These may temporarily burn away clogging material, but the use of chemicals in such vital systems can and often create more upsets. For instance, drain-opening chemicals regularly wipe out the beneficial bacteria these systems depend on for liquefaction - on contact. Chemicals loosen chunks of solids, but because there is no digestion of the waste occurring, this material often clumps up further down the line and causes blockage.

When beneficial microorganisms within a waste treatment system are abused or destroyed, digestion of organic material slows or stops. Caustics change soil structure, too, breaking down the drain field into finer particles of dirt that pack together, reducing the ability of the liquids to drain. The result is no surprise to us, a bog of eternal stench.

BZT® Drain & Septic can eliminate the need for chemical treatment and prevent these upsets - safely, efficiently, and naturally.

So why on earth should you replace the drain openers, septic treatments and odor masking chemicals you’ve been using for years with BZT Drain & Septic? Because it’s good for you. It’s good for the planet, and it works. Solutions designed not to contribute to more problems later are sensible, responsible, and make life better for everyone.

Questions or Comments? Contact us.

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Odor Control for Ponds, Aquaculture, Water Features

Here’s a good question. How does BZT® Aquaculture remove odors?

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Ponds, whether commercial, decorative, or agricultural, occasionally exhibit some rather foul odors. Most pond odors are caused by hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell), sulfur, and ammonia. Odors are also caused by algae, such as Chara (skunkweed), as well as cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).

BZT® Aquaculture is formulated with beneficial bacteria selected for the ability to outcompete hydrogen sulfide producing microbes. Sulfur thrives in pond bottom solids (dead algae, organic matter, feces etc). BZT Aquaculture breaks down bottom solids where sulfur producing bacteria thrive, accelerating the nitrogen cycle naturally and enhancing the rate at which ammonia is converted into nitrite. Ammonia is the principle cause of odors when high stocking densities or populations of fish are present.

Lastly, removing odors caused by algae is simple: BZT Aquaculture outcompete the algae for nutrients, thus preventing it from thriving. We covered this in the following article: “Pond Algae Treatment: Target the Source, Not the symptom.”

In summary, by insuring high populations of beneficial microbes and enzymes, BZT Aquaculture can alleviate most common odor problems. If your pond or water feature exhibits undesirable odors, we can help.

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BZT Waste Digester: What are the Enzymes for?

BZT® Waste Digester works through it's unique combination of highly concentrated enzymes and live bacteria.

Enzymes are essentially organic catalysts. Catalysts are defined as substances that will speed up or alter the rate of chemical reactions without the catalyst (enzyme) being altered or used up in the process. This means that since the enzyme isn't actually used up in the digestion process, even small amounts go a very long way.

The process by which complex organic compounds, in the presence of water and enzymes, are broken down or transformed into simpler compounds is known as digestion or hydrolysis. Enzymes speed up the union of water with a substance, after which the substance breaks up into fragments. Enzyme action is specifically targeted. Protein splitting enzymes will affect only proteins and not fats or carbohydrates.

BZT® Waste Digester contains four major enzymes which enhance the product activity.

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Pond Algae Treatment: Target The Source, Not the Symptom

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(Japanese Koi Pond exhibiting Green Water)

Algaecides - The Quick, Dirty Method

The problem with adding algaecides or similar products is that they only kill algae. They do not treat the source of the problem, which is nutrient overload in the pond.

Pour it in, say bye bye to the nuisance. That’s the logic behind algaecides, and in that respect, they work. But what happens next? When the algae dies, it sinks to the bottom and creates a sludge. This sludge has a variety of negative issues associated with it, such as aesthetics and odors.  But from an ecosystem approach, this sludge is a huge nutrient (fertilizer) source for subsequent algae growth. 

Bio-Based Treatment with BZT - The Sustainable Method
 
A simple, ecofriendly method of pond algae treatment is to assimilate its food source before it has a chance to grow. This requires no chemicals with “Danger: Poison” labels, no permit to handle toxic substances. Instead, through the addition of BZT, one can achieve pristine water conditions and MAINTAIN them. Naturally.

BZT contains targeted, all-natural microorganisms that consume excess nutrients in the water, thus ‘starving out’ other organisms, such as algae. Over time, this battle of attrition causes the algae to die off. When it dies, it sinks, and rather than the dead material building up into yet another nutrient sludge, BZT breaks up the dead material faster, using up the nutrients more quickly.

In addition, BZT eliminates odors, oxidizes ammonia, and improves fish health by providing a cleaner, biologically balanced environment for them to thrive.

BZT Koi & Pond is designed exclusively for small, backyard-type decorative and koi ponds, while BZT Aquaculture is designed for larger bodies of water with heavier organic loads (aquaculture farms, municipal ponds, etc.).

The Importance of Custom Treatment Protocols

United-Tech offers free technical service to customers, which includes custom protocols for unique and difficult situations. Though our standard instructions tackle everyday pond situations, occasionally a pond will exhibit extreme symptoms of nutrient loading and/or other factors which may need to be addressed. Available Monday-Friday, 8-5 CST, the United-Tech Support Team is here to serve our customers.

In summary, we propose that all-natural treatment with BZT is safer, more sustainable, and more sensible than adding chemicals known to provide quick results of symptoms without targeting the cause of the algae growth. United-Tech has conquered these issues for decades in agricultural, municipal and commercial water features, as well as residential applications. It is what we do.

Previous Stories Associated with Algae Treatment:

Backyard Water Conservation - The BZT Method
Springtime Pond Treatment - Prevent Algae Blooms Before They Start
Featured Project: Rasti-Land Amusement Park

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Superior, Targeted Treatment for Aquaculture

We have two products used extensively in the aquaculture industry, BZT Waste Digester and BZT Aquaculture. Each product is formulated to provide certain benefits and perform certain tasks.

BZT Waste Digester focuses on the break down and digestion of organic solids.  The microorganisms used in this product excel at breaking down complex organic compounds and then digesting them, eventually converting them to carbon dioxide and water.  This process works for dissolved organic compounds and solids, such as the sludge that accumulates at the bottom of ponds used during culture. 

BZT Aquaculture targets water quality issues. It helps control nitrogenous compounds, such as ammonia and nitrite/nitrate, minimizes toxicity issues, and controls phytoplankton densities.
 
The products are used together and individually depending on the individual farmer’s needs and even individual pond needs. For information on how our products and service help aquaculture operations exceed expectations, please contact us today.

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Bacteria 101

Did you know that your body is composed of about 10% bacteria cells, and that bacteria outnumber human cells roughly 20 to 1 in your own body? Learn all this and more by watching this fantastic "Bacteria 101" lecture. Our host even throws in a Star Trek reference. Worthwhile watching for the curious novice and anyone that needs a refresher.



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Springtime Pond Treatment - Prevent Algae Blooms Before they Start

When springtime comes knocking, the sun moves closer to the earth, bringing warmth and new life to the once frozen, hibernating planet. Gardens are tilled, flower beds receive much-needed sprucing, and lakesides teem with happy campers soaking up Vitamin D, drinking lager, and working extra hard to play. Outdoor grills and sunscreen incense the fresher air with the scent of renewal. Life is good.

However, with higher temperatures, organic runoff and the increased use of fertilizers come the dreaded algae, driving mad the human caretakers of backyard ponds and water features.

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(farm pond exhibiting algae bloom)

Rainwater carries animal waste, fertilizer, agricultural waste, and decomposed material straight into ponds. This concentration of nutrients intensifies the algae population; they’re on a superfood kick, and there’s no stopping photosynthesis. Suddenly, the place is a wreck.

As vegetative life ends, it sinks to the pond bottom, adding to the nutrient reserve for future aquatic growth. This is called “Nutrient Cycling,” a necessary process for maintaining ecological balance. However, a pond with organic overload is like eating every meal at the burger joint – super sized fries and all. It just isn’t healthy, and the life of the pond succumbs to the greed of the algal cells. Silt (the sludge or sediment at the bottom of a pond) builds up to six inches per year, and naturally-occurring bacteria in ponds simply cannot decompose and utilize all of these excess nutrients and organic sediment. So the algae snatch it up instead.

What are the dangers of Algae Bloom?

Algae bloom is an eye sore, and it detracts from the quality and enjoyment of your favorite water feature. If the animals in your farm depend on this pond, they may embrace a “thirst strike” rather than drink the green soup. Milk production and weight gain are seriously affected when animals cannot drink enough water. In addition, fish and other aquatic animals suffer, because more stress is placed on their bodies and their appetite. In the aquaculture industry, a single algae bloom can wipe out an entire harvest if not controlled timely. In a more natural feature, a steady decline in the aesthetic quality of life occurs until the pond is no longer suitable for sustaining life.

How to Prevent Algae Bloom:

A teaspoon of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Preventing organic build-up before it happens is much easier than trying to eliminate algae after the bloom has occurred. Just like brushing your teeth before a big date, a good, healthy pond needs regular hygienic maintenance to attract visitors and live a long, productive life.

In order to “stop” an algae bloom, you must prevent the excessive nutrient and organic build-up in the first place. Starve the algae! Adding highly concentrated, active microbes and digestive enzymes will kick-start the process and help to maintain the proper balance. BZT® Koi & Pond, for instance, promotes faster nutrient depletion in pond water, starves algal cells for their basic nutrients, and maintains aesthetic and recreational values.

It is also important to maintain a proper pH balance (between 6.5-8.0). Simple pH test kits can be purchased from your local pet shop or agricultural store.

Aeration (adding dissolved oxygen) is also necessary in levels of > 2.0 ppm for optimum performance of the BZT® microbes. This can be achieved through various means, depending upon the pond size. Mechanical aeration, wind and wave action, air stones, paddlewheels and waterfalls are some examples.


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(same pond, after treatment with BZT® Aquaculture, a United-Tech product specially formulated for large water features)

Prevention of algae bloom is easy, and it’s less time consuming and less expensive than waiting until you have a problem. It’s ok to put off some things, like paying the cable bill or calling the in-laws. But if you have a pond in need of some tender loving care, do the right thing and take preventive measures - before your pond falls prey to the costly, disastrous and messy effects of the Algae bloom.

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Breath of Fresh Air

There may be more to that saying "Breath of Fresh Air To Clear Your Head", than you thought.

New research indicates that a common soil bacteria 'mycobacterium vaccae' may improve levels of learning and increased serotonin levels. But us outdoor types already knew this.

Sage Researchers find Bacterium Enhances Learning.