[Abrium]

And wait you have 4 vals in a 55 gallon tank? This could be the definition of irony but I believe it was sharkfood that may have replied to one of my posts referencing plant growth when I joined. He gave good advice too... plant your tank. Stop messing around and plant it good and heavy (with budget allowing of course). You are putting all of these nutrients into your water column trying to get 4 plants to grow and your going to end up with a hot bed for algae because there isn't enough plant biomass in the tank to use what you are dosing.

Stop by the swap and shop and get your hands on a good amount of plants. Fast growing stems and floaters. Once you have enough plants to out compete all forms of algae then start dosing otherwise you're continually adding nutrients and begging for algae.

 

[Abrium]

The more plants the merrier and THAN your water chemistry and you can begin down the long road of finding the right balance that works in your own personal ecology.

Cheers,
Abe

 

[Abrium]

College station is right down the road from me but anyway. Vals will melt with excel, some will even melt with half dose depending on the proximity of the release but on the plus side they are fast growing stem plants that suck up nutrients and propagate quickly when given the appropriate environment.