Flourish Excel = snake oil?

delmore

delmore

AC Members
Dec 2, 2001
256
0
16
New Jersey
www.uaru-forum.com
Has anyone had good results with Flourish Excel? I understand that it is best for soft to medium hard water, and for low light plants. I have a planted tank with Wisteria, watersprite planted, and an unidentified plant.

i'd use diy co2, but it will be difficult to hide.

I'm going to my lfs to get some stuff today so i'd appreciate hearing about your first hand experience.

Thanks!
 
The reports I've read say it gives about a third of the results of CO2 gas. It's not snake oil but not as good as CO2 either I'd say. :)
 
I am using Flourish Excel in my 90 gallon planted tank with overwhelmingly good results. I have even begun asking myself "where is all the algae everyone keeps complaining about?"
The key is to have lots of fast growing plants, don't over supply lighting, and be realistic about which plants will do well.

If you click on "Tank Photos " in my sig I have a plant list of what I am having success with. I'm by no means any kind of expert, but I am very happy with my results- the ease of maintenance, the look I've achieved, and the product support.
If you email Seachem and provide a snail mail address they will send you a handy dandy chart detailing how much of what else you need to use.
But I made my plan before I had my chart in hand and have been doing so well "if it ain't broke...", so there is a certain amount of room for tinkering.
 
IMHO & IME Excel is not "snake oil", but neither is it the equivalent of pressurized CO2. Whether or not it does the job you need will likely depend on your lighting levels - if you are going high light, it may not be enough.
 
I have a related question, while we're on topic. The directions say 1 mL per day for 10 gal, and 5 mL or so after a water change. Do you guys follow the directions? At this rate, a bottle should last reasonably long for a 10-gal. I think I might buy it, as back-up for when I don't have time to tinker with yeast. Also, does the KH cause any problems? If I have very high KH, will I need to add more... etc etc.
Thanks :)
 
Yes, he bottle says DON'T OVERDOSE. I just put a capful into my 60G Gallon tank every day, (when I'm home,) which comes to about 15-20 days a month. It definitly isn't the equivilent of Pressurized Co2, it is a good "Poor Man's Co2 System" however. I've been getting better results than when I wasn't using, I'm just concerned about the price.
 
As long as you do not add too much lighting, Excel works well.
An IV dripper or a dose in the AM is good. As mentioned, do not overdose.
Your tank will do even better if you use CO2 gas even at low light etc, but this might be simpler for you to add this. KH does not effect this product to any significant degree.

It's good for folks with 0-2KH water that want to add some carbon for the plants but don't want the KH up at 2-3 degrees and also have lower lighting.

DIY CO2 is mighty simple and feeding it into the filter can be done with nothing inside the tank at all.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
Originally posted by Cearbhaill
......If you email Seachem and provide a snail mail address they will send you a handy dandy chart detailing how much of what else you ..... ..
Click to expand...
Does your chart have very fine print on it?? I wonder if it's the same chart I got from them.

From what I've heard, Excel is not a 'snake oil gimmick'....

SeaChem has been very prompt with e-mail questions. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom