Excell, Carbon, algae and ... bacteria?

[tyella]

Hello all,
I'm having a bit of a brush algae problem. Not a big deal, but it may be in the long run. Anyhow, I picked up some Flourish Excell, as recommended by various folks on this and other forums. This product is said to help control a couple of forms of algae, but nobody really knows why.

I know that bacteria in aquatic environments are always looking for an organic carbon source. Is it possible that Excell is providing that? This would mean that without carbon limitation, the bacteria would be free to take up excess dissolved nutrients, especially phosphorus. Freshwater bacteria compete VERY well with algae for phosphorus and, in the absence of carbon limitation, are usually phosphorus limited.

Just a thought....anyone have access to a flow cytometer or an epifluorescent microscope?

 

[RTR]

Vascular plants do better than algae. I assume that you have plants since you are using Excel?

Balance of plants, light, nutrients (including carbon) is the key. Do you have fast-growing stem plants and enough of the other macronutrients (N & K) and traces?

 

[Kasakato]

How much are you doseing every day?

 

[Blinky]

I'm sorry I can't actually answer your questions, but I thought I'd offer my thoughts on BBA and Excel.
Took a look at your tank (sig. link), very nice! If you haven't removed the water sprite, I'd leave it in. It's a nutrient sponge, very fast growing, and can easily outcompete algae IME.
Excel is a mystery to me. It does work to control hair algae/BBA, but IME it's a bandaid solution - if you don't find the source of the problem, you'll be constantly fighting it. As RTR mentioned, the key is balance - if plants have all the required nutrients, CO2 (or Excel) and light they need, they should be able to outcompete the algae. If you post your fertilization routine and levels (NO3, PO4 etc) someone may be able to help find a source of imbalance in the tank.

 

[tyella]

I'm still working on aquiring the test kits, I'm sorry to say, so I don't have any concentrations to post.

I've just started having the beard algae after upgrading my lighting. I think I am experiencing calcium and/or carbon limitation (based on the plants' symptoms). I added a second DIY CO2 tank, and dosed with Excel at the same time (15mL in a 29 gallon). Probably overkill, but what the hey. I see the Excel as a short term fix until the second DIY tank really kicks in. I'm too much of a cheapskate to buy it every month.