Substitute for co2?

[octopus]

Came across an article that came close to claim that Flourish Excel a product of Seachem is a substitute for CO2. Anyone have use this product before?. Anxious to hear your comments.

[Navanod]

It is a carbon source but in a form that's somewhat taken in differently compared to CO2. So strictly speaking, it'll compensate to a certain extent for the lack of CO2 injection but cannot fully substitute it. In fact, the 2 sources works well together

It is also known as an algae killer because in high concentrations, it is potentially toxic in a similar manner as formaldehyde, which is what's used to fix and preserve body tissues in glass jars at the hospitals.
Its active ingredient is polycycloglutaracetal, a polymerized isomer of glutaraldehyde.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutaraldehyde

[octopus]

So if it is an Algae killer it would be beneficial for the planted tank right?. Does it have any negative affect?

[Navanod]

So if it is an Algae killer it would be beneficial for the planted tank right?. Does it have any negative affect?

Overdose would kill many other things in the tank other than algae
Its not very cheap to dose if your tank is large too.

I suggest dosing at half the recommended dose and to dilute in a bottle of water outside the tank before adding in

[octopus]

Thanks bro for the warning. As a beginner i think i better stay away from it for the time being.

[Shadow]

depend on your tank size, if it is very small than using excel is make sense but if it is 3ft or above, pressurize CO2 is more economical.

[Navanod]

Thanks bro for the warning. As a beginner i think i better stay away from it for the time being.

For a beginner to planted tanks, its better you learn about the macro and micro nutrients, lighting intensity and length, as well as the growth rates of the various plants first.
Excel is a good to have no doubt but not a must

[octopus]

macro and micro nutrients very chim! Care to elaborate

[Jimmy]

i used it to kill algae.. very effective, especially when i screw up my tank, haha

[jiajuen900]

macro and micro nutrients:

Plants need 17 different elements (if im not wrong). Hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, iron, magnesium, phosphates, etc.

They are mainly split into two group based on amount plants need and importance (from what i see ).

Macro nutrients would be N,P,K (Nitrogen, Phosphates and Pottasium)

Micro nutrients would be Ca, Mg, Fe, B, etc. (alot of them)

We need to dose these to keep plants lush, green and growing. Especially in hightech setups, where the rate of intake of plants is too fast for these elements to occur naturally in our aquariums.

[Shadow]

Good explanation of Macro and Micro from Jiajuen. Macro is something that plants need in large quantity. Micro is something that plants need but not in large quantity

The need for these nutrients are depend on your light intensity. If it is very bright, plants will grow faster and will require more macro/micro fert. You might get away without dossing any of this if your light is low enough. However, not all plants can survive or grow nicely under low light intensity.

[tom855]

Plants need the carbon from somewhere.

Excel and CO2 can both provide it.

Excel you measure carefully and dump in. Easy if you are diligent.

CO2 takes a good amount of equipment and is isn't always the easiest to get right in a tank. But, plants love it and the look of pearling is unbeatable. Just be prepared to pay for it.

Excel might not be cheap but I'd bet when you compare it to all the CO2 gear a high tech tank takes it's not nearly as expensive as some think.

I had a beautiful tank for years dosing 2x Excel with medium light. However, high light w/ CO2 was by far the most exciting to watch.

It's a great hobby to get into. Enjoy!

Tom