Review on Fritz Aquatics FritzZyme 7 Nitrifying Bacteria: The Ultimate Solution for Freshwater Aquariums by Bill Pulakanam

I have to say if a product does NOT arrive dead it works! When you first open a bottle it does NOT smell, I repeat, NOT of sulfur or give off a strong odor. If so, it's more than likely the bacteria in it are DEAD. I bought the same item from my LFS (local fish shop) and when I opened the bottle there was no bad or strong odor coming off. Now think about it. The bottle must contain live beneficial bacteria. When something dies and breaks it releases an odor and since this product is in a jar, the odor can't come out unless you open it and then sniff it! Now I have to give a product 1 star or 5 stars because when the product arrives LIVE THE PRODUCT WORKS AND I USE IT IN MY WHOLE TANK. But the reason I gave this review 1 star is because this last order was a BIG mess. If there were no problems now, I would give the product 5 stars. I will explain what happened. I placed and received an order. I didn't open it right away and keep all the beneficial bacteria in the fridge (DO NOT FREEZE). About 2 or 3 days after I received the item, I received it and was ready to use it. As soon as I removed the protective seal, the sulfur / rotten egg smell hit my nostrils immediately! I called Revain and as always their support rep was AMAZING! I told them I had just opened the item and it was not good and I would like to exchange it for the exact same item. CSR helped me, I capped the bottle and sent it back to Revain. The replacement order was shipped via USPS (first order was FedEx I believe). Well, my replacement order came a few days later, and my long-time mail carrier told me that one of my packages was leaking in the back of her mail truck. I don't know exactly what happened as I refused the package and told my postal worker not to worry about getting sick or anything and most importantly there was no bad smell. leaves the mail truck. I called Revain support as soon as my postwoman left and explained to them what had just happened (I took pictures of the box and the liquid that was pouring from the outside of the box. I didn't open the box) and how usual the CSR Revain was GREAT and shipped promptly I have to replace another mug. As soon as I received the 3rd jar I opened it and was hit by the same smell and saw some black particles floating on the surface. I called Revain and told them I was returning the item and explained to them what the item was and maybe it was a bad batch or if the jars are stored in a hot environment it kills the live bacteria and that's why i got this problem. It's a small, very small hope that Revain somehow keeps this item and similar items in a not-so-hot area so customers don't receive and pay for items that are dead and don't work. I have to point that out again. IF THE ARTICLE IS ALIVE AND NOT DEAD IT WORKS IMHO. I have used it in all my aquariums and I love it so much!