I know that flourish excel is often regarded as "liquid carbon" and is simply polygluteraldehyde, but I was wondering how effective it is in acting as a "carbon source" for plants? I don't plan on using any CO2, and was wondering if this product would give me any results even slightly comparable to injecting CO2?
jpark143
I found it to be most useful as a carbon supplement in non-CO2 injected tanks (low tech tanks). When dosed per instructions, it provided a noticeable benefit in plant health and growth. It is not anywhere nearly as beneficial as injecting CO2, but it is better than nothing. Additionally, it acts as an algaecide for certain types of algae.
When dosed daily, as per instructions, it may melt Anacharis (Egeria/Elodia), Vals, Duckweed and Marimo moss balls (which are a form of algae). These plants can be trained to use it if adapted slowly by not doing the recommended “initial” weekly dose and then just half-dosing every other day, gradually building up to recommended levels. Vals, for example, will initially melt and then re-grow fully acclimated to it.
When dosed daily, as per instructions, it may melt Anacharis (Egeria/Elodia), Vals, Duckweed and Marimo moss balls (which are a form of algae). These plants can be trained to use it if adapted slowly by not doing the recommended “initial” weekly dose and then just half-dosing every other day, gradually building up to recommended levels. Vals, for example, will initially melt and then re-grow fully acclimated to it.
Glutaraldehyde is a strong protein cross linking fixative (think formalin on steroids). I used to use it to prepare samples for electron microscopy.
I hope the poly in front of it indicates it's somehow polymerised and hence safe. I would be very careful about putting something like that in a tank.
I hope the poly in front of it indicates it's somehow polymerised and hence safe. I would be very careful about putting something like that in a tank.
Not just formalin on steroids, it is structurally similar to formalin with double HCOOH radical. It is used similar to formalin as a fungicide, bactericide, parasiticide, and Algaecide at the right dosage. It is one of two ingredients in Seachem Paraguard for ich treatment.
SeaChem claims that it provides carbon to plants as intermediate photosynthetic compounds, but avoids claiming its Algaecide effect due to regulatory issue. I have not seen scientific proof of the carbon source claim, but the Algaecide effect is proven by numerous bio essay studies. Since I have CO2, I don’t use it for carbon source, and dose 5x after every WC to suppress algae. The 1x recommended daily dosage is below Algaecide effect, and need a minimum 5x or 2 ppm to be effective Algaecide according to bio essay studies.
SeaChem claims that it provides carbon to plants as intermediate photosynthetic compounds, but avoids claiming its Algaecide effect due to regulatory issue. I have not seen scientific proof of the carbon source claim, but the Algaecide effect is proven by numerous bio essay studies. Since I have CO2, I don’t use it for carbon source, and dose 5x after every WC to suppress algae. The 1x recommended daily dosage is below Algaecide effect, and need a minimum 5x or 2 ppm to be effective Algaecide according to bio essay studies.
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