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Old 28-02-2003, 06:40 AM
Christopher
 
Posts: n/a
Default Flourish Excel as carbon source

I have a 125g planted with 120W of light over it, would it be good for me to
use this, currently I only use tetra florapride...I do have 6 150g carbon
baggies between my 2 fluval 404 canister filters (won't this give carbon
back to the system?)

let me know if I need this...as I cannot seem to get my java fern to do
well...it might be too much lighting


"Mary Alice Kropp" wrote in message
.. .
I am thinking of using Flourish Excel as a carbon source for my planted

tank
and have a few questions:


I use Excel on my 10 gallon, low (1.5 watt/gallon) light, low tech plant
tank, and I have been happy with it for this one, which is in a location
that does not lend itself well to CO2 injection. On my 55 gallon, with 2
watts/gallon lighting, I do use a CO2 canister.

1) Will it cause PH fluctuations (like CO2 injection) ?


I 've not noticed any fluctuation in the pH- it stays quite steady for me.

2) Other than PH, will it alter my water chemistry ?


Not that I've seen in my tank.

3) Are there any issues with it that I should be aware of ?


Be careful of overdosing- there have been some people who have reported

that
some plants (mainly crypts) will melt if they overdose Excel too much.

I've
never had the problem myself, but I'v never tried to go way over the
recommended dosage, either. I also do not add it all at once- I add a bit
every day with a measured eyedropper.

4) Based on anyone who has tried it, how effective is it ?


I would say that for a relatively low light, low tech set up, it works

just
fine. My 10 gallon has been doing quite well on Excel as the only carbon
source for over a year now.

-Mak
http://www.thirtytwopaws.com/mak
Updates 1/30/03

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