Flourish Excel Carbon Supplement

[Keeper]

Has anyone had the opportunity to use this? My lfs said that in anything up to a 15gal tank, this is all you would need for plants. They said there is no use in the CO2 set-ups(such as the Hagen one with the grey canister) in anything under 15gal.

 

[Keeper]

Just to add to this. I just saw the Seachem Stability. Looks very new and sounds a little like bio-spira from what I understand. Sounds like a quick way to cycle.

 

[medge00]

uhm, i disagree with your lfs. I have the grey cansiter on my ten gallon and its a small jungle. I have great growth in all my plants in there and its because of the co2 addition. Now, you don't have to buy that $20 set up. You can just as easily do a DIY set up for a 10 of 15 gallon for a fraction of the cost. The hagen set up isn't very useful after about 30 gal. I know people on this site have used the hagen for small tanks like 5.5 gal or 10 gal.

as for excel, yes, it can be useful for a 15 gal. but I think for the best success, you have to dose it everyday or every other day, without fail. I used it on my 10 before I got the hagen. It worked to an extent, but I think the hagen does a much better job.

search the site a bit, you'll see lots of folks use hagens or DIY co2 for small tanks.

 

[Guest]

I'm going to agree with Medge on this one. Great advice Medge!

As mentioned, do some research here on AA on DIY CO2. Its great for small tanks, and cheap.

Why use chemicals when you can do it naturally?

 

[Keeper]

Thanks for the info. I wasn't quite sure about it, now I know that CO2 is the way to go.

Thanks again

 

[marcus russo]

Well I guess i will stir the pot.
I have successfully grown
rotala macronda
eustralis stelleta
rotala maganta
ammannia G and S
micro e
as well as many other harder to grow plants in tanks up to 55 gal with
excel.
Growth was ALMOST the same from past experiences compared with co2
In the long run though co2 is much cheaper

 

[LAGlocker]

I used excel once, I like it, it did promote growth, but I have to say I found it much much cheaper to do a diy co2 source instead of paying the price for that.

 

[marcus russo]

If you buy it in bulk 2l 4l it isnt THAT bad, I currently use co2 on about 10 tanks and excel on about 10

 

[LAGlocker]

Even buying it in bulk, it doesnt seem cost effecitve to use it on a constant basis for a long period of time. For the price I pay for excel I can run my co2 for months on end, buying yeast and sugar. But then again if you really want to use excel I dont see why you shouldnt.

 

[marcus russo]

Growth was ALMOST the same from past experiences compared with co2
In the long run though co2 is much cheaper[/quote]
Thats what i said