Why don't more people use flourish excel?

[hashbaz]

Why don't more people use flourish excel? I havn't bought any yet, but it sounds like a much better alternative than [acronym:c573bb76a5="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:c573bb76a5] [acronym:c573bb76a5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:c573bb76a5].

[gheitman]

I use Flourish Excel for my smaller tanks (5 and 10 gallons) but it really isn't cost effective for anything 20 gallons or larger [acronym:ad336ab49e="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:ad336ab49e]. That is when you should really begin using [acronym:ad336ab49e="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:ad336ab49e] from either a [acronym:ad336ab49e="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:ad336ab49e] setup or a pressurized system. I use the Hagen [acronym:ad336ab49e="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:ad336ab49e] kit on my 20 and 30 gallon tanks that have higher output light fixtures.

[Steven_Askham]

I have never heard of it ..... You can use this stuff in stead of a [acronym:1fc3186be9="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:1fc3186be9] system ?
I might try some in my 10gal. I want to get my Java moss growing so i can add some to my other tanks as it is hard to find in my area.

[BrianNY]

[acronym:2941acad4c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2941acad4c] is only really needed when enough light is added to drive photosynthesis.

Although the addition of [acronym:2941acad4c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2941acad4c] won't hurt plants, care is required to make sure pH remains stable. Adding [acronym:2941acad4c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2941acad4c] to low light tanks doesn't really benefit anything.

[Steve Hampton]

Originally Posted by hashbaz

Why don't more people use flourish excel? I havn't bought any yet, but it sounds like a much better alternative than [acronym:5779985ab2="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:5779985ab2] [acronym:5779985ab2="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:5779985ab2].

Excel is a good product but have limited use. It is only mildly effective for smaller tanks. [acronym:5779985ab2="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:5779985ab2] [acronym:5779985ab2="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:5779985ab2] will produce far superior results under moderate to high lighting situations though on small the medium sized tanks using both Excel and [acronym:5779985ab2="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:5779985ab2] [acronym:5779985ab2="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:5779985ab2] offers excellent results. The combination of the two offers the best of both and help cover the weakness of each. Pressurized [acronym:5779985ab2="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:5779985ab2] systems are still more efficient, stable, and produce more consistently successful long term results.

[hashbaz]

Originally Posted by gheitman

I use Flourish Excel for my smaller tanks (5 and 10 gallons) but it really isn't cost effective for anything 20 gallons or larger [acronym:2433ca6dbf="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:2433ca6dbf].

I thought this was the case too until I looked a little closer. 2 Liters costs $22 at BigAls. This will last about 2 years on my 29. That works out to $10 per year. How much does a year of sugar and asprin cost for [acronym:2433ca6dbf="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:2433ca6dbf]?

I recognize that [acronym:2433ca6dbf="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2433ca6dbf] is better and that Excel is not an option above a certain amount of lighting. But for a low-tech, 2wpg tank Excel seems a TON easier than [acronym:2433ca6dbf="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2433ca6dbf].

[Simpte]

I use excel as a treatment for algae.

[Felf]

my hairgrass pearls seconds after adding excel in my 3g but just like gheitman said, i wouldnt use it on anything bigger than a 20g

[urville]

I agree it's not as effective in a larger water column. I will say that it is useful in addition to Co2 as many have found. It also has iron content which is good. I'd say that [acronym:4c5de610cc="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:4c5de610cc] is a better method. It's really not that bad i dont think. It takes me all of 5 minutes to mix and I just use 2 2liter bottles that i rotate out. I make the new mix about 2 days before switching out which I do every 2 weeks at my weekly 50% water change. If your gonna send the money in a bigger tank I'd focus more on your fertilizing routine.