The Planted Tank Forum - View Single Post - Excel as a treatment for BBA? Experiences?

Momotaro · 03-28-2005, 11:04 PM

I am doing it right now.

The idea is not to dose Flourish Excel, but to overdose it. No one seems to know why the Excel seems to have an effect of algae, but it appears to have one if the product is overdosed. Flourish Excel contains a glutaraldehyde compound. Glutaraldehyde is a chemical that is very similar to formaldehyde. It is a powerful disinfectant, sporocide and fixant. I am not sure if it is the chemical's sporocidal properties that seem to make it an efficient algaecide or if it is something else in the glutaraldehyde compound itself. Seachem themselves won't make any comments on the algaecidal properties of Excel. They seem to coyly acknowledge the fact in a round about way. Calling th product an algaecide would lead to many legal problems, so they are better of not mentioning or advertising Excel's algaecidal properties.

The idea is to overdose the product 2/3xs the recommended levels for a period of ten to fourteen days.

I found some BBA in my 75G and have been testing it out. I am on day 8 and have noticed the algae disappearing. I have been dosing 25ml at a time and have shut down my UV during this cycle. Glutaraldehyde is a delicate compound, so I was not sure if or how UV light would effect it. I figured the best thing to do would be to shut down the UV.

My cycle ends in a couple of days, so I can fill everyone in on my personal results.

Some other folks have tried using Excel and had success as well.

I am not sure if it is a quick cure, or a lasting remedy. I can't tell you if it has any long term negative effects. I will tell you if you do overdose Excel, you are doing it at your own risk!! Overdosing Flourish Excel can have adverse effects of your aquarium's fauna. Overdoses of flourish Excel have been known to kill fish. So, if you do overdose Flourish Excel use your head. keep an eye on your fish and stop dosing if your fish begin to show signs of stress.

Mike

03-28-2005, 11:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Momotaro Doesn't like Kool-Aid (View User Tanks) PTrader: (45/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hawthorne, New Jersey Posts: 8,603	I am doing it right now. The idea is not to dose Flourish Excel, but to overdose it. No one seems to know why the Excel seems to have an effect of algae, but it appears to have one if the product is overdosed. Flourish Excel contains a glutaraldehyde compound. Glutaraldehyde is a chemical that is very similar to formaldehyde. It is a powerful disinfectant, sporocide and fixant. I am not sure if it is the chemical's sporocidal properties that seem to make it an efficient algaecide or if it is something else in the glutaraldehyde compound itself. Seachem themselves won't make any comments on the algaecidal properties of Excel. They seem to coyly acknowledge the fact in a round about way. Calling th product an algaecide would lead to many legal problems, so they are better of not mentioning or advertising Excel's algaecidal properties. The idea is to overdose the product 2/3xs the recommended levels for a period of ten to fourteen days. I found some BBA in my 75G and have been testing it out. I am on day 8 and have noticed the algae disappearing. I have been dosing 25ml at a time and have shut down my UV during this cycle. Glutaraldehyde is a delicate compound, so I was not sure if or how UV light would effect it. I figured the best thing to do would be to shut down the UV. My cycle ends in a couple of days, so I can fill everyone in on my personal results. Some other folks have tried using Excel and had success as well. I am not sure if it is a quick cure, or a lasting remedy. I can't tell you if it has any long term negative effects. I will tell you if you do overdose Excel, you are doing it at your own risk!! Overdosing Flourish Excel can have adverse effects of your aquarium's fauna. Overdoses of flourish Excel have been known to kill fish. So, if you do overdose Flourish Excel use your head. keep an eye on your fish and stop dosing if your fish begin to show signs of stress. Mike __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]