Wonder Shells, Mineral Supplement; Aquarium Forums Hall of Shame

Aquarium Forums Hall of Shame 9; Wonder Shells from "Aquatic Community"

Updated 12/30/11

I will apologize in advance if I offend anyone who reads this because this is not my intention. However I should say I was offended by the anecdotal comments thrown around in the forum posts I reference in this blog entry.

Rather than have a discussions of the scientific merits of Wonder Shells and examine the evidence behind reasons it may or may not be beneficial, in these forum posts, it became "free for all" for non-scientific miss-statements in which it is clear that most persons read little or did not see what they read as well as personal attacks. They also did not read the referenced outside sources provided in the articles referenced on the Wonder Shell website.

It is also noteworthy (despite comments made on this referenced thread) that the articles that mention Wonder Shells do not attempt to all point to the "need" for this product. In fact, the Aquarium Chemistry Article notes as a disclaimer that the Wonder Shell is a useful tool for aquarium husbandry, but is not a "cure all" or a magic bullet.

Even more importantly, in of March of 2011, I met with another researcher who discovered the Aquarium Redox Article dealing with how much aquatic life (and all life) is affected by a properly balanced Redox (magnetically balanced is a term he used). He noted (just like in the past) how badly out of touch the aquarium hobby is with current research the aquarium hobby is. Regarding such research was surprised to find such a well researched and "current" article in an aquarium hobby web site.

What might this have to do with a Wonder Shells? Well, unlike the many anecdotal, poser experts who never even noted the importance of Redox Balance, this researcher understood that a Wonder Shell is an aid (again not a cure all) to establishing this Redox/Magnetic balance of aquarium water along with other procedures. To call Wonder Shells part of a "snake oil" scheme is ignorance at its most profound!!

There is no way an honest person can read either the Wonder Shell web page or the many articles referenced and make the statements I reference in this forum thread.

I was also made aware of another post from this same aquatic forum about the use of aquarium salt. This is how my Wonder Shells, Aquarium Forums Hall of Shame came about (as per a suggestion from friend, Tommy). I might add that the referenced aquarium answers post has nothing to sell and further discredits the many extremely shameful snake oil references. This is why these are the type of forum posts that give the aquarium hobby a black eye (this in the opinion of a few researchers I have consulted with over the years, including a good friend who retired from the industry in 1999).
In fact the before mentioned friend who ran a large aquarium supply distributor believed (based on feedback) that this type of misinformation that this aquatic community post displays harms the aquarium keeping hobby in that new hobbyists often get frustrated by conflicting information or take this type of bad information (as exemplified in this forum post) resulting in eventual fish losses that should not have happened; Is this what those who care for the "Fish as Pets" we keep desire?

Before I begin responding to the misinformation, lies, & anecdotal comments put forth in the aquaticcommunity.com thread, let me point out that due to the popularity of Wonder Shells, another large online seller is carrying them. However, this new online seller is simply selling the product without knowing the correct information for its use. Instead, I would recommend purchasing from a Wonder Shell seller with decades of experience AND the correct information for use such as: Wonder Shells, at American Aquarium Products

FROM:
aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=53323

POSTS IN THIS THREAD (snips):

(1) “As with most aquarium products, the write-up on Wonder Shells makes them sound absolutely vital for the health of your fish.

I've been using them for about 6 months now, and haven't seen anything that would indicate my fish are better, or worse, with them in the tank.”

My Comment:

Neither the Aquarium Chemistry Article nor the Wonder Shells webpage state they are essential. In fact, the webpage states this: “NOT a cure all for poor water management, but a useful tool in proper aquarium maintenance.”

The Chemistry Article also states this. It makes similar points within the article as well as makes other recommendations such as: “Before I over promote Wonder Shells, these can aid in proper water management, but they are not a magic bullet in an aquarium for poor aquarium husbandry such as mulm build up under gravel or decorations. However they can be one more piece of the water quality management puzzle and sometimes with fish such as Livebearers and Goldfish the results/benefits of use can be dramatic.”

Benefits of using Wonder Shells are not always readily noticed (although with fish that are more sensitive to poor mineral cation levels, the difference is often easier to spot).

It is also noteworthy (as I state in many places in my articles) that good aquarium husbandry will make Wonder Shell use less necessary (if at all) and a person that takes excellent care and has fish less sensitive to poor mineral cation levels are not as likely to notice any benefits. However, my controlled tests in the 1990s showed less incidence of disease & longer lifespan when mineral cations were maintained on a steady/regular basis, see: “A Healthy Aquarium; Disease Prevention”)


(2) “Never heard of them so guess they aren't too vital.
lol”

My Comment:

Not knowing of a product means nothing nor proves nothing. This is a plain ignorant answer IMHO that employs the worse kind of logic and is similar to stating that “I have never circled the earth on a plane or ship, therefore I doubt the planet is a sphere.”


(3)“Scare tactic marketing. I wouldn't pay that sort of thing too much mind. Most of that type of stuff doesn't do very much IME. Just another gimick to get a few dollars from you.”

My Comment:

What scare tactic marketing? Did this guy read the webpage or the links to more scientific articles listed on my page? Never does it state that if you do not use this product your fish will suffer or die (or anything similar). It is typical of so many in the aquarium hobby to post opinions without even reading the subject of which they are speaking.


(4) “Provides crabs, snails and turtles with an easily available source of calcium for healthy shell growth."
The above is the only reason I would even consider buying it. All the rest sounds like a bit of hooey.”

My Comment:

Again, did this person read the articles/links to back up statements or see that these links contain scientific references to even more .edu scientific articles?
I might also add at this time when I am down in Los Angeles for my business trips, I am often sought out by many experts in their own right that run some of the major outlets for marine and freshwater supplies/fish such as Quality Marine and Tideline. As well, I even had a call in 2009 from a pHd researcher complimenting my research into the Redox Balance as he has seen few outside of the medical community that even were aware of its importance in “life processes.”


(5) “They are not vital for anything. The calcium would help snails or possibly Rift Lake African Cichlids that need calcium for harder water, but other than that they're non essential. They don't do anything that regular water changes won't take care of.”

My Comment:

This is not quite so out of line as he is correct that water changes can and do many of what a Wonder Shells takes care of. However, Wonder Shells or similar liquid drips can provide important mineral cations that are useful for both osmoregulation and Redox balance in between water changes. This can be quite noticeable with some fish such as livebears, African cichlids, & goldfish. However, even with fish such as Bettas, this can still have a beneficial effect on fish health (otherwise why would others such as Atkinson’s Spa include calcium in their Betta formula?


(6) “I'm familiar with the site NG. There is a lot of good information there and at the links, but he does tend to promote the products he sells. And, IMHO, his review of Aquaclear HOBs is very inaccurate.

I don't know, to be honest, just how much the Wonder Shells would raise pH. But if there's calcium in them, the pH is going to go ^.

And I would trust Seachem's Paraguard before I ever used medicated wonder shells!”

My Comment:

It appears that at least this person has read some of the information/articles (& is more polite), but he is still off base in more than one area.

First of all, my review of Aqua Clears in my filtration article even states that these reviews are both facts and opinions, & I acknowledge that many have positive results (including the aquariums I have installed these on for clients). However I have also had higher break down and other issues as well based on the use of literally dozens.

I am glad this person is happy with his 2 or 3 Aqua Clear Filters (as many are), but this does not compare to the many I have maintained nor the feedback my colleagues in this business have given me about these filters. I did this for a living for over 20 years and employed others in this business before I had to move and I am sorry to sound smug (as this is not my intention), but using a few AC filters simply does not compare to the dozens I have used. His statement, “his review of Aquaclear HOBs is very inaccurate,” does not hold water when you factor in experience (kind of like a passenger of a jetliner critiquing an airline pilot with 20 years experience based on his (the passenger's) first solo flight in a Cessna).

Secondly, although he is not stating there is something wrong with me promoting products I sell, it sure seems inferred. What is wrong with this? I provide free information, answer emails and phone calls 7 days a week and often work 14 plus hours per day all for less than a $1000 per month income: am I not entitled to make any profit?

As well, 90% of what I sell I have used and tested. In particular, these Wonder Shells are an item I have used for almost 30 years and many of my clients even commented that I should try promoting them on the internet based on their positive results when I had to leave my Aquarium Maintenance business behind in 2002.

Thirdly, no where does it state that Wonder Shells raise pH, and he should read some chemistry basics as it is carbonates that primarily affect pH, which Wonder Shells have little (my comment here is not meant disrespectfully, however this is a very basic principle of KH and pH and it is carbonates that contribute to a higher pH/KH, not calcium and by making this statement one as to question his aquarium keeping knowledge)

Fourth, The Wonder Shells webpage (as well as my Ich article) state that SeaChem ParaGuard is a first choice for Ich.


(7) “I'd never heard of them but looking at the website they sound like snake oil. That's the place I've EVER seen anything suggesting trying to harden the water for discus and rams. To me it looks like a fad product that will do nothing but mess up my tank water. No thanks, even if they paid me I would not add it to my tank based on their claims.”

My Comment:

There is little I can say to this post as this person’s comments show he has little understanding of chemistry and cannot learn anything that is beyond is close minded views. He obviously has no understanding of bio-chemistry and worse, is unwilling to learn either. This guy would rather disgustingly label others (such as peddling snake oil) and totally show his lack of even basic knowledge of aquarium biochemistry and aquatic product history.

Stating “That's the place I've EVER seen anything suggesting trying to harden the water for discus and rams” really shows his strange reasoning. Not knowing about a subject does not make it false. As well, he should research Marc Weiss: he is one of the first to prove the need for positive mineral ions such as calcium.

I admit I learned from some of Marc Weiss's articles dating back to products he collaborated with the Premier Aquatic Chemical company with; Aquatronics (which sadly went out of business earlier in this decade due to corporate issues, not product quality). Marc Weiss and others in the field of Discus and similar soft water fish have proven the importance of calcium in Discus. Even more recently others have shown that keeping the water “charged” with positive calcium ions is important as well.

I have also demonstrated (after using one of Marc Weiss’s Aquatronics products) that the addition of calcium cations to the aquarium water can alleviate HITH Disease in Discus.
So much for never seeing anything about the FACT that even Rams and Discus require Calcium for long term health!
(See Aquarium Chemistry; Amazon, SE Asia River Water)

The term "snake oil" can only be applied to a product that provides no scientific benefit. The articles and the references within my own aquarium articles prove there is science behind Wonder Shells and similar products. Sadly this guy does not even know how to apply the term fad because this product has been around for more than 30 years with no marketing, promotion, or even good packaging. Why are Wonder Shells around then? Because they do work. 30 plus years of poorly marketed product does not make for a fad.

In Summary, here are just a few sites of uninformed, anecdotal, aquarists that believe the lies put forth in the aquarium thread (cited in “Aquarium Community”) should read Including the many references cited therein:


*Aquarium Chemistry
This article & the Redox aricle below are must reads because many aquarists simply do not understand the importance of mineral cations- even for fish that prefer softer water. Since Wonder Shells use calcium as the main carrier of mineral electrolytes, the constantly regurgitated mantra that too much GH is always bad (which is simply not true) often confuses many well-intentioned aquarium keepers.

Here is an email example that demonstrates this confusion, yet the person even admits that the Wonder Shell has helped improve fish vitality:

“I have used the WonderShells. I have 2 tanks, one 30gal. for goldfish and one 10gal. with a beta and catfish. They also raise the GH way over 30 drops, sometimes when I test for GH I have to drop 37+ drops in the tester for it to turn green. Is this still ok? because my fish seem more active when I use the Wonder Shells”.

As noted in the Aquarium Chemistry article, the use of Wonder Shells (or similar) will cause an increase in GH. However, this is not the problem many might consider. Please read the GH section, & the sub section "Depletion of Positive Ions" in this Aquarium Chemistry article. This article uses the example of a car battery to explain how a GH test cannot provide an accurate picture of aquarium electrolyte health.

*Aquarium Redox Balance

*Osmoregulation in Aquariums; Minerals; Use of RO Water, more

*A Healthy Aquarium; Disease Prevention

*Aquarium Lighting


Finally, a point for those who stick to the closely held anecdotal beliefs that so badly permeate the aquarium keeping hobby rather than read researched articles such my Aquarium Chemistry, Redox or Aquarium/Pond Answers articles/posts, is best summed up by another Mentor of mine, Reggie, who worked at an aquarium supply wholesaler and finished his business career there. After spending most of his decades of business in different industries specializing in making poorly managed businesses successful again, he told me this:

"I have never seen a more dishonest and back stabbing business than the Aquarium industry".

Though my blog post is technically not an aquarium industry post, nor is it back stabbing, it does certainly fit into what Reggie (& others I know at Quality Marine and elsewhere) has pointed out: that persons will ignore facts and take others out of context just to hold tightly onto anecdotal beliefs rather than admit that maybe they do not know something.

I know that I have been forced to change my understanding of aquarium concepts when either new evidence surfaces or I am corrected with more complete facts. The Redox Balance is a good example where I would have stated 180 degrees the opposite of what I know now about this still very misunderstood part of biochemistry.