Liquid carbon…what’s your experience/thoughts?

[Ssnaaiil]

I am thinking of trying some liquid carbon to help battle bba, and to help my plants grow more…I’ve looked at seachem excel, and easy carbon, is one better than the other? Is there any reason I shouldn’t try? Any info you have is greatly appreciated! THANKS!!!

*EDIT*: if I do decide to use one of these products, do I need some sort of test to check the co2 levels in my tanks?

EDIT#2: is there any plants/fish/inverts that I should not use either of these with?

 

[MoshJosh]

AS FAR AS I KNOW, these products aren't actually "liquid CO2" they are algaecides (kill algae). And in my experience using Excel. . . I was less than impressed, in fact I have like a gallon of it in my garage I don't use.

 

[Ssnaaiil]

AS FAR AS I KNOW, these products aren't actually "liquid CO2" they are algaecides (kill algae). And in my experience using Excel. . . I was less than impressed, in fact I have like a gallon of it in my garage I don't use.

Thanks for your input. I did some research and realized that they are algaecides… I have bba and green spot algae in a couple of my tanks. I think I might try excel or easy carbon, just not sure which yet. I’m hoping more people chime in with there thoughts/experience.

 

[GlennO]

I don't know if there's any difference between brands. I use Excel because I can get it cheaper than other brands. I use it occasionally on BBA and I find that it can help control it if used in a syringe by spot dosing on the area. I've never noticed any improvement in plant growth.

 

[RayClem]

The plant experts at Tropica say that Seachem Flourish Excel is a fantastic algaecide for killing black beard algae, but useless as a carbon source for your aquarium. Here is their video:

 

[Mapleleaf]

I use Flourish excel. I cannot actually tell if it is helping the plants grow. But in the early days when I had no fish yet, I double dosed it to get rid of the algae which was getting out of control. it killed all the algae in a couple of days. Now I just put in the right dose everyday. There is a small amount of algae in the tank but no outbreaks. So I am assuming that it kind of keeps it under control.

 

[sairving]

Liquid carbon will work to spot treat bba. Just use a pipette or syringe. Another way to treat bba is remove the plants or objects its growing on and do a hydrogen peroxide did. I can't remember the exact ratio of peroxide and water right now. Just do a quick internet search. Let the stuff soak for 5mins then soak in dechlorinated water for a few mins. You can do the same thing with bleach. Only difference is the ratio between the water and bleach. You also only do the actual dip for a minute. Soak in dechlorinated water after and add back to tank.

Where is your green spot algae? If its on the glass of the tank, just scrape it off with a box cutter blade. If its on plants like anubias, I've left it alone because I didn't want to sit damage the plant.

 

[FishDin]

It did nothing for me. I even soaked plants in it for 24 hours at full strength. Didn't hurt the plants or the BBA. I used a freshly opened bottle. I wonder if it expires on the shelf in a sealed bottle??