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#1
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
I am thinking of using Flourish Excel as a carbon source for my planted tank
and have a few questions: 1) Will it cause PH fluctuations (like CO2 injection) ? 2) Other than PH, will it alter my water chemistry ? 3) Are there any issues with it that I should be aware of ? 4) Based on anyone who has tried it, how effective is it ? I will be using it (if I decide to go ahead with it) in a 30 gal tank with 60 watts of light. As a plant base I have a 50/50 mix of gravel and Fluorite. I use the other Flourish products to take care of my trace element needs. I do a bout 25% water changes weekly. Thanks for any help. |
#2
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
Henry wrote:
I am thinking of using Flourish Excel as a carbon source for my planted tank and have a few questions: There is a lot of discussion about this product in the archives. Try searching Google Groups. http://groups.google.com Here's what I got when I typed "flourish excel" in the search box: http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...flourish+excel |
#3
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
Henry wrote:
I am thinking of using Flourish Excel as a carbon source for my planted tank and have a few questions: There is a lot of discussion about this product in the archives. Try searching Google Groups. http://groups.google.com Here's what I got when I typed "flourish excel" in the search box: http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...flourish+excel |
#4
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
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 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#5
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
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 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#6
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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 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#7
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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 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#8
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
also should I be using any other fertalizer other than florapride?
(I have 15lbs of laterite under my gravel) "Christopher" wrote in message hlink.net... 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 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#9
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
also should I be using any other fertalizer other than florapride?
(I have 15lbs of laterite under my gravel) "Christopher" wrote in message hlink.net... 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 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#10
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
also should I be using any other fertalizer other than florapride?
I would either use Seachem Flourish as well as the FloraPride, or use Tropica Mastergrow instead. You need a more complete fertilizer. As for carbon...Excel would be mucho expensive for a tank the size of yours. I'm not sure what carbon baggies are, but if they are the kind of carbon people put in their filters to absorb impurities, no, that won't help your plants. In fact, a lot of people remove the carbon from their filters, so it won't absorb nutrients the plants need. The best source of carbon for a tank like yours would be compressed CO2. Your tank is simply too big for many of the other methods. However, you don't *need* to add carbon, at your lighting levels. It would help, but it's not necessary. Try improving your fertilizing regimen. That might be all you need. Java fern grows well at all lighting levels, so I don't think you have too much light for it. However, it doesn't compete with other plants for nutrients very well at high lighting levels. More and better fertlizer might help. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
#11
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
also should I be using any other fertalizer other than florapride?
I would either use Seachem Flourish as well as the FloraPride, or use Tropica Mastergrow instead. You need a more complete fertilizer. As for carbon...Excel would be mucho expensive for a tank the size of yours. I'm not sure what carbon baggies are, but if they are the kind of carbon people put in their filters to absorb impurities, no, that won't help your plants. In fact, a lot of people remove the carbon from their filters, so it won't absorb nutrients the plants need. The best source of carbon for a tank like yours would be compressed CO2. Your tank is simply too big for many of the other methods. However, you don't *need* to add carbon, at your lighting levels. It would help, but it's not necessary. Try improving your fertilizing regimen. That might be all you need. Java fern grows well at all lighting levels, so I don't think you have too much light for it. However, it doesn't compete with other plants for nutrients very well at high lighting levels. More and better fertlizer might help. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
#12
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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... Excel would probably end up being expensive for you to use on a tank that large. I only use it in my 10 gallon- even for the 55, it would not be cost effective. If you want to add CO2, either DIY yeast or a pressurized cannister would be more cost effective in the long run. But with your low light, you probably don't really need to add anything in CO2. I do have 6 150g carbon baggies between my 2 fluval 404 canister filters (won't this give carbon back to the system?) No, actually, the carbon will pull some of the stuff you are adding into your system out of it. I'd get rid of the carbon bags altogether. 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 Again, you probably don't need to add CO2 with your lower light levels. Java fern is one of the plants that will do well with lower light, so I don't think that is your problem. And it does depend on what you mean by "doing well." IME, Java fern tends to be a slower grower than some other plants, so if you simply mean that it isn't growing like a weed, that's probably quite normal. I don't remember off the top of my head what the formulation of FloraPride is, but you may need to add a more complete fertilizer- something like Flourish and/or Flourish Iron and Trace. -Mak http://www.thirtytwopaws.com/mak Updates 1/30/03 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#13
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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... Excel would probably end up being expensive for you to use on a tank that large. I only use it in my 10 gallon- even for the 55, it would not be cost effective. If you want to add CO2, either DIY yeast or a pressurized cannister would be more cost effective in the long run. But with your low light, you probably don't really need to add anything in CO2. I do have 6 150g carbon baggies between my 2 fluval 404 canister filters (won't this give carbon back to the system?) No, actually, the carbon will pull some of the stuff you are adding into your system out of it. I'd get rid of the carbon bags altogether. 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 Again, you probably don't need to add CO2 with your lower light levels. Java fern is one of the plants that will do well with lower light, so I don't think that is your problem. And it does depend on what you mean by "doing well." IME, Java fern tends to be a slower grower than some other plants, so if you simply mean that it isn't growing like a weed, that's probably quite normal. I don't remember off the top of my head what the formulation of FloraPride is, but you may need to add a more complete fertilizer- something like Flourish and/or Flourish Iron and Trace. -Mak http://www.thirtytwopaws.com/mak Updates 1/30/03 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#14
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
I think I will try what leighmo recommended and try mastergrow instead. I'm
not too keen on spending another $200+ on this tank at the moment to get CO2 injection...plus it would lower my pH (not good for my cichlids) if I remove the bagged carbon from my canister filters then what should I put in there? Also it seems that when I add fertalizer I get VERy rapid algae grown, like the rough green stuff shows up on my glass overnight almost. "Mary Alice Kropp" wrote in message . .. 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... Excel would probably end up being expensive for you to use on a tank that large. I only use it in my 10 gallon- even for the 55, it would not be cost effective. If you want to add CO2, either DIY yeast or a pressurized cannister would be more cost effective in the long run. But with your low light, you probably don't really need to add anything in CO2. I do have 6 150g carbon baggies between my 2 fluval 404 canister filters (won't this give carbon back to the system?) No, actually, the carbon will pull some of the stuff you are adding into your system out of it. I'd get rid of the carbon bags altogether. 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 Again, you probably don't need to add CO2 with your lower light levels. Java fern is one of the plants that will do well with lower light, so I don't think that is your problem. And it does depend on what you mean by "doing well." IME, Java fern tends to be a slower grower than some other plants, so if you simply mean that it isn't growing like a weed, that's probably quite normal. I don't remember off the top of my head what the formulation of FloraPride is, but you may need to add a more complete fertilizer- something like Flourish and/or Flourish Iron and Trace. -Mak http://www.thirtytwopaws.com/mak Updates 1/30/03 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
#15
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Flourish Excel as carbon source
I think I will try what leighmo recommended and try mastergrow instead. I'm
not too keen on spending another $200+ on this tank at the moment to get CO2 injection...plus it would lower my pH (not good for my cichlids) if I remove the bagged carbon from my canister filters then what should I put in there? Also it seems that when I add fertalizer I get VERy rapid algae grown, like the rough green stuff shows up on my glass overnight almost. "Mary Alice Kropp" wrote in message . .. 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... Excel would probably end up being expensive for you to use on a tank that large. I only use it in my 10 gallon- even for the 55, it would not be cost effective. If you want to add CO2, either DIY yeast or a pressurized cannister would be more cost effective in the long run. But with your low light, you probably don't really need to add anything in CO2. I do have 6 150g carbon baggies between my 2 fluval 404 canister filters (won't this give carbon back to the system?) No, actually, the carbon will pull some of the stuff you are adding into your system out of it. I'd get rid of the carbon bags altogether. 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 Again, you probably don't need to add CO2 with your lower light levels. Java fern is one of the plants that will do well with lower light, so I don't think that is your problem. And it does depend on what you mean by "doing well." IME, Java fern tends to be a slower grower than some other plants, so if you simply mean that it isn't growing like a weed, that's probably quite normal. I don't remember off the top of my head what the formulation of FloraPride is, but you may need to add a more complete fertilizer- something like Flourish and/or Flourish Iron and Trace. -Mak http://www.thirtytwopaws.com/mak Updates 1/30/03 You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game. |
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