Really quick liquid Fertilizer question

DAVIDFBT

DAVIDFBT

Extinct? Since when?
Feb 3, 2008
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Great Lakes, Illinois
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I found out that I need to use Fertilizers in my heavily planted tank so I can get my grass plants growing again. I will be using liquid ferts because for now, dry ferts are too expensive. I like the Seachem fertilizers because they are locally available and they work well for others. I'm wondering if I should get Flourish or Excel. I know that excel melts vals, but I heard that dosing it at half strength fixes that problem. I have also heard that excel is an alternative to injecting CO2. The thing is, I already am diffusing DIY CO2 along with 2.2 WPG in a 30 gallon tank. So which fertilzer would work better for me, Excel or Flourish?
 
Id go with flourish. If you are already doing the co2 thingy, no need to add more, personally I wouldnt risk melting my vals if I didnt have to..

Dont forget you can use things like nusalt for postassium, epsom salt for magnesium.
 
I have had bad luck recently with Excell even at half dose. It melted my vals along with some hygro. If you are already doing CO2 I'm thinking it's not worth the risk.
 
I think your confused about fertilizers, even if you go liquid your need more than Flourish, that is just a micronutrient mix. You still need the macros, N-P-K, nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium. Seachem sells those too, but they are too expensive for any large volume of water, or any great amount of time.

And Excel is Carbon source, if your DIY is stable enough, you dont need it.
 
You're right Riiz, Flourish is actually a supplement, I just thought that fertilizers and supplements where close enough. I guess I learned something new. :) I will be getting dry ferts, but probably in the spring. In the meantime, I guess I'm getting Flourish. Thanks everyone.
 
Flourish is a fertilizer, specifically a pmdd mix that mostly supplies micro nutrients with small amounts of nitrates and potassium. How is dry ferts expensive and Flourish not?
 
Hi!
I have used with good results a combination of 3 liquid ferts: Flourish, Flourish Trace and Leaf Zone (from API). Each 3 or 4 months I have used Flourish tabs; really great for healthy roots. Please, don't use Flourish Excel; you do not need it and can be dangerous according to my experience.
 
Excel melts a few plants like anacharis and liverworts, is a pretty effective algaecide, and safe to use if you dose at their recommended dosage. Dosing at higher than recommended dosage is when it can be dangerous. At full strength, it's an effective disinfectant.

It's a good alternative to CO2 for small low light setups.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I bought a 250 ml bottle of Flourish 3 days ago and I will be dosing 2x a week. I have dosed only once and have been seen the results already.
 
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