Yes- very fine print.
If they don't get a decent sized version on a website somewhere I will slap it up on one of mine.
Flourish Excel = snake oil?
- Thread starter delmore
- Start date
If they don't get a decent sized version on a website somewhere I will slap it up on one of mine.
delmore, yes you can feed it right into the intake tube of your AC filter. The AC is not the best way of injecting....probably about 30% efficient, but it will inject some into the water table. Better absorption than say an air stone but not as good as the following.
A better way is to pick up an AquaClear Power Head and run your CO2 line into the bottom of that. The absorption rate is much higher and they aren't very expensive(Big Al's). I use a 402 model on my 55 gals., but they make smaller ones for smaller tanks.
As Tom Barr says, Excel works fine in a low light environment
I would use it only in tanks up to 20 - 25 gals. When you start getting into bigger tanks the cost-effectiveness goes way down. You just have to use too much of the stuff for the desired affect in larger tanks. I have never used it, but have heard this from many people who have. From all reports, it is definitely not "Snake Oil".
Len
A better way is to pick up an AquaClear Power Head and run your CO2 line into the bottom of that. The absorption rate is much higher and they aren't very expensive(Big Al's). I use a 402 model on my 55 gals., but they make smaller ones for smaller tanks.
As Tom Barr says, Excel works fine in a low light environment
I would use it only in tanks up to 20 - 25 gals. When you start getting into bigger tanks the cost-effectiveness goes way down. You just have to use too much of the stuff for the desired affect in larger tanks. I have never used it, but have heard this from many people who have. From all reports, it is definitely not "Snake Oil".
Len
Thanks for the great information! I'll try the excel on a 5.5g and 20g long low light planted tanks. I'll post the results in a few months.
Word, DJLen. I took me 3 months to use a bottle of Flourish Excel in my 60 Gallon, and I was only dosing it about 3 times a week.
The problem is, I don't want a tank that is very heavily planted. I don't enjoy that messy, natural look. I just want a few live plants, but I find even these hard to maintain without some sort of supplement...the fact that I only want my plants to stay alive makes it senseless to spend $100 or, most likely, more on a Co2 setup plus the extra maintaince time.
The problem is, I don't want a tank that is very heavily planted. I don't enjoy that messy, natural look. I just want a few live plants, but I find even these hard to maintain without some sort of supplement...the fact that I only want my plants to stay alive makes it senseless to spend $100 or, most likely, more on a Co2 setup plus the extra maintaince time.
IME, the Excel product is very useful. I personally use it in a 55 gallon tank that I do not have the room to use pressurized CO2.
Although not as effective, it is easier and at 1ML per 10 gallons it will last a while (I dose 5ml daily for my 55 gallon tank)
Also, if this is a low light tank only add it every other day to avoid possible shock to the fish. and be sure you have nitrate and iron in the water as well (add Flourish Iron 1x week). Nitrate is easy, just feed the fish more...
Although not as effective, it is easier and at 1ML per 10 gallons it will last a while (I dose 5ml daily for my 55 gallon tank)
Also, if this is a low light tank only add it every other day to avoid possible shock to the fish. and be sure you have nitrate and iron in the water as well (add Flourish Iron 1x week). Nitrate is easy, just feed the fish more...
Do you mind if I grill you on this a little? I definitely need a better method than I have now for both filtration and CO2 diffusion. So, Do you mean the powerhead alone or the version with the "quick-filter" attachment? I've never seen this, and I've never used one, but from what I see on the Big Al's site, what if I fill up the media compartment with bio balls and stick the CO2 line in there? Or is it good enough if I just get the powerhead? Then how do I hook it up? I have a sponge filter right now, but I'm only using it to provide circulation and feed fry. I'm convinced I don't need extra filtration. I have a 10-gal with lots of (mostly) healthy plants, and only a few small platies. I'm not planning on adding any more, so my fish load is really small. So, any ideas? Thanks so much
Starry, I'm confused. First you said you "definitely need a better method for CO2 diffusion and filtration" Then you say you don't need extra filtration.
If you don't need any more filtration then you just need a more efficient method of dispersing CO2, correct?
If this is correct, I think a better option in a small(10gal.) tank would be something more passive than a power head.
I've been having the same dilemma over my 10 gal.hosp./isolation
tank. I'm thinking about getting one of those bubble counters/reactors that comes with the Hagen CO2 System. Not the system. Just the bubble counter. I don't know the dimensions of it so I don't know if it will fit in my 10gal., but with one of them there would be no additional water movement and better absorption than what I'm now using(an AC Mini Filter).
Thoughts?
Len
BTW, anybody know the dimensions of those Hagen Reactors?
If you don't need any more filtration then you just need a more efficient method of dispersing CO2, correct?
If this is correct, I think a better option in a small(10gal.) tank would be something more passive than a power head.
I've been having the same dilemma over my 10 gal.hosp./isolation
tank. I'm thinking about getting one of those bubble counters/reactors that comes with the Hagen CO2 System. Not the system. Just the bubble counter. I don't know the dimensions of it so I don't know if it will fit in my 10gal., but with one of them there would be no additional water movement and better absorption than what I'm now using(an AC Mini Filter).
Thoughts?
Len
BTW, anybody know the dimensions of those Hagen Reactors?
Len,
Sorry about the confusion - I meant that the sponge filter and airstone/bell system isn't working for me. I don't need filtration, but I would like some water movement. That's pretty much the only reason I'm keeping the sponge filter in.
So what are you using now? AC filter, or the powerhead, or the combo?
OK, I just checked Big Al's - something called "plant gro CO2 system bubble counter" $20 CDN. That's by Hagen. Is that it? There's also the Aqualine CO2 reactor, which is definitely what we're talking about, but it's $50 CDN, and good for tanks up to 125 gal apparently, so I'm guessing it's pretty big. Or just really really efficient.
But why would I opt for passive diffusion when I can get a reactor and circulator in one. This way, I would still need a filter or powerhead. I don't like the idea of a stagnant tank, knowing my luck I'd grow some West Nile mosquitoes
OK, I really should be studying, so I better get back to that. Let me know what you think, and hopefully I'll do something about this after exams.
Sorry about the confusion - I meant that the sponge filter and airstone/bell system isn't working for me. I don't need filtration, but I would like some water movement. That's pretty much the only reason I'm keeping the sponge filter in.
So what are you using now? AC filter, or the powerhead, or the combo?
OK, I just checked Big Al's - something called "plant gro CO2 system bubble counter" $20 CDN. That's by Hagen. Is that it? There's also the Aqualine CO2 reactor, which is definitely what we're talking about, but it's $50 CDN, and good for tanks up to 125 gal apparently, so I'm guessing it's pretty big. Or just really really efficient.
But why would I opt for passive diffusion when I can get a reactor and circulator in one. This way, I would still need a filter or powerhead. I don't like the idea of a stagnant tank, knowing my luck I'd grow some West Nile mosquitoes
OK, I really should be studying, so I better get back to that. Let me know what you think, and hopefully I'll do something about this after exams.
Ok, I think I got you. You're not happy with the combo you have and think with the low fish load you can do without a filter and want to go with a diffuser of some sort. One that will move water and diffuse. Correct?
For a 10 you'll need either the smallest power head or maybe a Fluval in-tank cannister you can find. It'll have to be small and be adjustable or your Platies are gonna think they're in a whirlpool and you'll gas off much of the CO2 you inject.
I'd look for the smallest AC powerhead they make(will be inexpensive) at Big Al's. They are adjustable and I like the ones I use in my big tanks.
I'm using an AC Mini in my 10 and want to get a passive reactor to inject 'cause the Mini is too inefficient. I don't recommend them for injection purposes.
That Hagen CO2 System includes a Bubble Counter which I think is also a reactor(and from what I hear, a good one). I think the 'System itself is a waste of money, but I can buy the Counter/Reactor(about $11 at Big Al's) separately. I think that will work well in my little 10gal. I just don't know the dimensions of it. I'm pretty sure it will fit in the tank, but would like to know before I buy it.
Len
For a 10 you'll need either the smallest power head or maybe a Fluval in-tank cannister you can find. It'll have to be small and be adjustable or your Platies are gonna think they're in a whirlpool and you'll gas off much of the CO2 you inject.
I'd look for the smallest AC powerhead they make(will be inexpensive) at Big Al's. They are adjustable and I like the ones I use in my big tanks.
I'm using an AC Mini in my 10 and want to get a passive reactor to inject 'cause the Mini is too inefficient. I don't recommend them for injection purposes.
That Hagen CO2 System includes a Bubble Counter which I think is also a reactor(and from what I hear, a good one). I think the 'System itself is a waste of money, but I can buy the Counter/Reactor(about $11 at Big Al's) separately. I think that will work well in my little 10gal. I just don't know the dimensions of it. I'm pretty sure it will fit in the tank, but would like to know before I buy it.
Len
Ok, I think I'll go with the small powerhead. I've never used one, I don't even know what they look like. But if you say so.....
