Seachem Excel

**da_xiong** · 18th Nov 2013, 23:13

Sorry, a newbie here that just started not long ago,

current set up,

a 45cm by 24cm by 30cm tank, with a shiruba power filter (XB-303)

ANS planta soil 6L in tank and some aquatic plants like java fern, anubias nana, java moss and E.tenellus and pennywort.

Lighting is a 2x16W T5 light

Im running low tech, without the use of CO2 and currently no ferts.

I was wondering if I could just apply the seachem excel without the use of ferts? currently tank still undergoing cycling on the second day without any fishes.

Would appreciate if anyone could advise. Thanks

**furyprix** · 18th Nov 2013, 23:33

shouldn't be a problem since your soil will provide the ferts already? but even with excel, plant growth is painstakingly SLOWWW

**felix_fx2** · 18th Nov 2013, 23:38

Planta soil should have nutrient value, if never use fert the plants will drain it more & plants which take up more using their root system (tenellus, pennywort) would benefit more. They uptake from both roots & what the planta soil can leach out to water although that likely is limited.

Excel is carbon supplement, yes you can.. but no need so high dosage. Low tech tank like yours maybe once every alternate week.

**da_xiong** · 18th Nov 2013, 23:46

Originally Posted by furyprix

shouldn't be a problem since your soil will provide the ferts already? but even with excel, plant growth is painstakingly SLOWWW

slow is ok, just wondering if it would affect my cycling cos until now I haven added any fishes in due to cycling just started the tank like yesterday haha

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

Planta soil should have nutrient value, if never use fert the plants will drain it more & plants which take up more using their root system (tenellus, pennywort) would benefit more. They uptake from both roots & what the planta soil can leach out to water although that likely is limited.

Excel is carbon supplement, yes you can.. but no need so high dosage. Low tech tank like yours maybe once every alternate week.

icic correct me if im wrong, but is excel like a replacement for co2?

**felix_fx2** · 19th Nov 2013, 00:30

Originally Posted by da_xiong

icic correct me if im wrong, but is excel like a replacement for co2?

Supplement not replacement, people who enrich/inject co2 to water some prefer to dose excel also ...

low tech tanks if you hit the right note (light just nice.) , really no need do much at all.. not even excel. Just water change every now and then...

P.S: you need to read this page of the rules.... cause not "cos" SMS and IM Lingo Rules

**da_xiong** · 19th Nov 2013, 07:42

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

Supplement not replacement, people who enrich/inject co2 to water some prefer to dose excel also ...

low tech tanks if you hit the right note (light just nice.) , really no need do much at all.. not even excel. Just water change every now and then...

P.S: you need to read this page of the rules.... cause not "cos" SMS and IM Lingo Rules

oh sorry, haha Im relatively new to this forum and this hobby, will take note of that. It will also be ok if i just add excel without Co2 right?

**felix_fx2** · 19th Nov 2013, 17:36

yes, can add excel even without co2 enrichment.

one thing good to know is that excel will dissipate in a day or so. to what I understand. .

**da_xiong** · 19th Nov 2013, 19:48

Originally Posted by felix_fx2

yes, can add excel even without co2 enrichment.

one thing good to know is that excel will dissipate in a day or so. to what I understand. .

I see... I just bought a bottle of excel from polyart today together with a bush of cabomba hope the plants are able to grow well..

If the excel will dissipate in a day meaning I will have to top up everyday?

**Urban Aquaria** · 19th Nov 2013, 19:55

Yes, Excel lasts for around 24 hours in a tank, so for optimal benefit to plants it should ideally be dosed at the recommended dosage on a daily basis.

**da_xiong** · 19th Nov 2013, 20:49

Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria

Yes, Excel lasts for around 24 hours in a tank, so for optimal benefit to plants it should ideally be dosed at the recommended dosage on a daily basis.

i See... anyway you have got nice set up for your tank, got inspired by your masterpiece

**Urban Aquaria** · 20th Nov 2013, 14:47

Originally Posted by da_xiong

i See... anyway you have got nice set up for your tank, got inspired by your masterpiece

Thanks, i'm still at the learning stage too.

**thebaldingaquarist** · 20th Nov 2013, 17:58

HI da_xiong,
hows doraemon? haha.. joking.

based on your plant list, its all root feeders, except the java ferns.

If your java ferns are in large amounts (75% of the tank is with them), you probably need to supplement some macro and micro ferts over time. but not much, as java ferns are not demanding. 10% of the recommended dosage if you are using those off the shelf ferts.

Other than that, CO2 should not be a big problem. In my opinion, no need for excel.

**da_xiong** · 20th Nov 2013, 23:59

Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria

Thanks, i'm still at the learning stage too.

No problem haha

Originally Posted by Erctheanda

HI da_xiong,
hows doraemon? haha.. joking.

based on your plant list, its all root feeders, except the java ferns.

If your java ferns are in large amounts (75% of the tank is with them), you probably need to supplement some macro and micro ferts over time. but not much, as java ferns are not demanding. 10% of the recommended dosage if you are using those off the shelf ferts.

Other than that, CO2 should not be a big problem. In my opinion, no need for excel.

hmm... it is more of a balance of all plants, a bit here and there my tank is rather small though, the ANS OPTICUBE 1.5ft tank