Liquid C02 Like Flourish Excel

Liquid C02 Like Flourish Excel but not Flourish Excel I am looking for a similar product. Something that I can use in conjunction with Flourish Comprehensive I don't need anything fancy just something that I can dose with like two or three times a week I would like to give my plants a little boost not looking to go all high tech well you get the point any and all help appreciated.

The reason I can't use Flourish Excel is because of the Marimo Moss Balls they are a form of algae and Flourish Excel is an algae-side and it will really slow down there grow.


Plants are as follows
Italian Vals
Anubias Nana
A whole lot of Marimo Moss Ball


Wideload

And I just remembered that I can't use Flourish Comprehensive because it has copper in it and I plan on adding cherry shrimp

 

Easylife Easy Carbo.
Btw : it's not liquid CO2 !

 

14-day glutaraldehyde (dose only 1/3 compared to Excel) or API CO2 Booster.

 

Easylife Easy Carbo.
Btw : it's not liquid CO2 !

I know its not C02 But it is actually liquid carbon

14-day glutaraldehyde (dose only 1/3 compared to Excel) or API CO2 Booster.

if I may ask can you please explain this to me in more detail?

 

Reread your post. Aren't all liquid ones the same substance ? And so causing the same problems as excel does ?

 

Basically I think so. I'm pretty sure Excel is glutaraldehyde. I haven't tried API o I didn't do the smell test. Glutaraldehyde has a unique smell.

EDIT: Re-read your post. Although Excel can get rid of algae when spot treating in my experience my marimos were fine. I didn't try directly injecting them with excel though.

 

Basically I think so. I'm pretty sure Excel is glutaraldehyde. I haven't tried API o I didn't do the smell test. Glutaraldehyde has a unique smell.

The Easylife version certainly is !
And indeed used to get rid of algae as well !

 

Reread your post. Aren't all liquid ones the same substance ? And so causing the same problems as excel does ?

DoubleDutch No I don't think so because Flourish Excel was made as an algae preventative and they found that it work as a liquid C02 or a Liquid carbon

 

DoubleDutch No I don't think so because Flourish Excel was made as an algae preventative and they found that it work as a liquid C02 or a Liquid carbon

I know, but as said Easylife easy Carbo is the same chemical. There are even brandless variaties to my believe.
To my believe it even is used to get rid of bugs in containertransport.

 

The Easylife version certainly is !
And indeed used to get rid of algae as well !

Yes you a very right Easylife Easy Carbo it dose indeed kill alage

 

if I may ask can you please explain this to me in more detail?

Glutaraldehyde is the primary ingredient of Flourish Excel although Seachem diluted it a bit. It also happens to be a lab grade sterlizer that kills almost all pathogens within 45mins. There's different concentrations of it available either 14-day or 28-day. I recommended the 14-day for more manageable doses which is about 1/3 that of Excel, i.e. if you dose 3tsp Excel then you only have to dose 1tsp of the 14-day glutaraldehyde. Do not use the included activator, this is not to be used if you want to use it for plants. The activator is only for using it as a sterilizer.

 

Glutaraldehyde is the primary ingredient of Flourish Excel although Seachem diluted it a bit. It also happens to be a lab grade sterlizer that kills almost all pathogens within 45mins. There's different concentrations of it available either 14-day or 28-day. I recommended the 14-day for more manageable doses which is about 1/3 that of Excel, i.e. if you dose 3tsp Excel then you only have to dose 1tsp of the 14-day glutaraldehyde. Do not use the included activator, this is not to be used if you want to use it for plants. The activator is only for using it as a sterilizer.

So basically it has the same chemical that Flourish Dose then and I am trying to avoid that cause it will play hard ball with my moss balls and not in a good way

 

So basically it has the same chemical that Flourish Dose then and I am trying to avoid that cause it will play hard ball with my moss balls and not in a good way

Unfortunately almost all liquid CO2 are glutaraldehyde based. You might as well get into real CO2 injection whether DIY or pressurized.

 

Unfortunately almost all liquid CO2 are glutaraldehyde based. You might as well get into real CO2 injection whether DIY or pressurized.

Well thanks for the info I guess I am going to a different path.

Do you know of another liquid fert like Flourish Comprehensive?

 

Well thanks for the info I guess I am going to a different path.

Do you know of another liquid fert like Flourish Comprehensive?

There are tons. Major manufacturers each have their own version. Although some choose not to put phosphates and nitrates in their formula. I have Brightwell Aquatics FlorinMultI in the cabinet but I use dry chemicals now.

 

Dolfan What is your take on this subject as you seem to know a great deal about plants.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.


Wideload

There are tons. Major manufacturers each have their own version. Although some choose not to put phosphates and nitrates in their formula. I have Brightwell Aquatics FlorinMultI in the cabinet but I use dry chemicals now.

How hard is the dry route?

 

Probably the easiest to do is the EI or Estimative Index method. You basically add your desired chemicals after a 50% water change weekly. The idea is to slightly give more than what is needed and the 50-60% water change is to reset the accumulation of chemicals. Each tank is unique and it will take awhile to figure out what your plants need and how much.

Since I believe my tank has enough phosphates and nitrates and I exclusively use RO-DI water, I dose the following:
CSM+B
Potassium Sulfate
Magnesium Sulfate
Calcium Carbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate (up to desired KH)
(occasionally Flourish Iron)

 

Probably the easiest to do is the EI or Estimative Index method. You basically add your desired chemicals after a 50% water change weekly. The idea is to slightly give more than what is needed and the 50-60% water change is to reset the accumulation of chemicals. Each tank is unique and it will take awhile to figure out what your plants need and how much.

Since I believe my tank has enough phosphates and nitrates and I exclusively use RO-DI water, I dose the following:
CSM+B
Potassium Sulfate
Magnesium Sulfate
Calcium Carbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate (up to desired KH)
(occasionally Flourish Iron)

Sounds a bit over my head at the moment. I think I will stick with liquid for now lol

 

Dolfan What is your take on this subject as you seem to know a great deal about plants.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.


Wideload



How hard is the dry route?

When learning and getting started, liquid is the best way to go. Once you figure it out you can switch over to dry ferts. The liquid ferts like Flourish Comprehensive have nice predefined dosages and instructions which can make it easier for you.

As for Excel or other "liquid CO2" products they are all the same chemical Glutalredhyde or some derivative. You can try using lower dosage, maybe 1/2 dose daily and see how it goes. For optimum results you need to use daily.

Also to clarify, Excel and other products are not liquid CO2, somehow the plants are able to synthesize and use the glutaldahyde similar to how they uptake CO2. From my understanding, the scientists aren't even real sure how it works, but they know that it is helpful.

Some even save money and by the hospital sterilization chemical that is mostly glutaralhyde and they just dilute it. It is sold under the name Metricide I believe.
Wideload , don't overthink it, use the Flourish Comprehensive weekly as the instructions say. If you want to try Excel start with a 1/2 daily dosage. Do not use the larger initial dosage suggested on the bottle. You should be fine.

 

Since it was asked any nobody knows, here is what the back of my API CO2 Booster says.

"Carbon is an essential element used by aquarium plants for photosynthesis. API CO2 BOOSTER supplies a concentrated source of carbon in two forms: CO2 as well as simple, organic carbon compounds. CO2 BOOSTER may be used alone or with a CO2 system. CO2 BOOSTER is safe for use with freshwater fish and will not alter pH. Use CO2 BOOSTER along with API LEAF ZONE aquatic plant food and API ROOT TABS aquatic plant tablet fertilizer for a complete plant care system.

Add 1 ml for 10 US gallons or 5 ml for 50 US gallons. Dose once a day.

WARNING: Contains glutaral.."

I will say that my pH dropped .2 when I started using it. Not a lot, but their claim of not changing pH isn't exactly true in my case. The reason you need to use it daily is because the carbon will be used or gassed off within 24 hours. Therefore you need to replenish it. I have noticed a fair amount of new growth since I started using the product about a week or so ago. I did remove my Marimo balls today because it was pointed out to me that it may affect them. However, nowhere on the labeling does it say that it kills algae of any kind. For me, using 5ml a day, the 237ml (8oz) bottle will last me 47 days or so, which isn't too bad. A DIY kit would cost about the same to run, but with this product (and other liquid products) you don't have to worry about getting the flow rate of the CO2 perfect, or excess CO2 pumping in at night time when plants aren't using it.

 

Since it was asked any nobody knows, here is what the back of my API CO2 Booster says.

"Carbon is an essential element used by aquarium plants for photosynthesis. API CO2 BOOSTER supplies a concentrated source of carbon in two forms: CO2 as well as simple, organic carbon compounds. CO2 BOOSTER may be used alone or with a CO2 system. CO2 BOOSTER is safe for use with freshwater fish and will not alter pH. Use CO2 BOOSTER along with API LEAF ZONE aquatic plant food and API ROOT TABS aquatic plant tablet fertilizer for a complete plant care system.

Add 1 ml for 10 US gallons or 5 ml for 50 US gallons. Dose once a day.

WARNING: Contains glutaral.."

I will say that my pH dropped .2 when I started using it. Not a lot, but their claim of not changing pH isn't exactly true in my case. The reason you need to use it daily is because the carbon will be used or gassed off within 24 hours. Therefore you need to replenish it. I have noticed a fair amount of new growth since I started using the product about a week or so ago. I did remove my Marimo balls today because it was pointed out to me that it may affect them. However, nowhere on the labeling does it say that it kills algae of any kind. For me, using 5ml a day, the 237ml (8oz) bottle will last me 47 days or so, which isn't too bad. A DIY kit would cost about the same to run, but with this product (and other liquid products) you don't have to worry about getting the flow rate of the CO2 perfect, or excess CO2 pumping in at night time when plants aren't using it.

Wanted to clarify something....

API, Excel, etc its all basically the same thing, glutarldahyde. There is no gas form of CO2 in that bottle. It is a chemical that plants can synthesize carbon from somehow. It does not get off gassed. The chemical breaks down in 12-24 hours or so.

 

I spoke to Seachem (Via email) and the reason why there's nothing on the bottle regarding algae is because according to them they didn't want people thinking it was an algaecide. I've been using excel for some time dosing 5ML every day. I fooled around with some of there suggested programs regarding there line but for the plants that I like Excel and twice a week 5ML Flourish does fine.

 

This is what seachem had to say to me when I ask the question

Thank you for your email. Marimo will occasionally react poorly to an overdose of Excel, as they are not actually made of moss - they are actually a form of algae rolled into a ball. Most customers have reported that their marimo are not bothered by the standard dose of Excel, but if you are concerned we would recommend starting with a half dose of Excel for the first few days to ensure that your marimo are not shocked by a sudden rise in Excel.
Thank you,
Seachem Support

 

I'm using Excel with my marimo moss balls, at regular dosage, and have no issues. If you do Google search, you will see other people that have similar results. So long as it is not directly applied to the moss balls, it's fine. They moss balls grow slowly to begin with, so I doubt you'll see a difference in growth rate.

I did not use the initial large dose as instructed on the bottle.

 

I'm using Excel with my marimo moss balls, at regular dosage, and have no issues. If you do Google search, you will see other people that have similar results. So long as it is not directly applied to the moss balls, it's fine. They moss balls grow slowly to begin with, so I doubt you'll see a difference in growth rate.

I did not use the initial large dose as instructed on the bottle.

I also have not seen any harm done to my moss ball and I dose about 1.5 times the daily dose every day.