Flourish Excel got rid of all my algae - Page 25 - Algae

Red_Rose · 07-17-2009, 07:28 AM

I wouldn't want to take the chance of adding other types of fish to the tank because of my betta. He's very territorial and mean and I know that a fish would end up getting hurt or even killed by him.

Since I last posted, the amount of algae on the stem plants has lessened.*knocks on wood* I keep getting in there to remove it and today I'll be getting some new floating plants so I can remove the Riccia.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quatermass

Thanks.
That's my Riccia. I placed small clumps of it in between my Java fern leaves when I set it up and it's grown into those 'rounded lumps'. Every couple of months I have to remove it as it grows huge. I have a mere 11W overhead light on it. I sell the lumps to my local club.

I also have a bit growing on top of my filter outlet, Riccia turns a different shape leaf which looks rather nice when it's just out of the water. You can see this here - Riccia pics (Those are of my 250L tank with Riccia in it).

I also like the way the Frogbit grows its roots down so it touches the substrate.

I never would've thought to put some in between java fern leaves! That looks so nice and I can't believe at how different it looks above water.

SvenBoogie · 09-23-2009, 01:16 PM

I've been having a huge green hair/brush algae issue in my work 10g, so I bought about 10 amanos and ordered some excel. The excel just came yesterday, dosed initial dose today and planning on trying 2ml/day. Will post the results once I see if this is working.

Seattle_Aquarist · 09-23-2009, 07:28 PM

Hi SvenBoogie,

Excell has done wonders for me dealing with algae issues, but it does not solve the underlying cause. I don't know what you are doing for light (watts, duration, etc) but you may want to rethink your photoperiod and cut it back some. I usually have problems with hair algae if I am providing too much light or too long a photoperiod.

SvenBoogie · 09-24-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle_Aquarist

Hi SvenBoogie,

Excell has done wonders for me dealing with algae issues, but it does not solve the underlying cause. I don't know what you are doing for light (watts, duration, etc) but you may want to rethink your photoperiod and cut it back some. I usually have problems with hair algae if I am providing too much light or too long a photoperiod.

Thanks, yeah I actually cut my light back today from 2 x 26w spiral CF to 2 x 18w spiral CF.

I suggest "Algae control" as the topic for the next GSAS meeting!

Day after initial treatment (5ml/10gal)...

Algae is worse than it was yesterday.

Essenza · 11-07-2009, 09:52 PM

I setup a new 55g tank recently and were having BBA,hair algae everywhere(I mean everywhere from plant to equipment), I over dose Flourish Excel 3X and 2 days later, all the algae just turned red and then pale and die off, however my Ceratophyllum demersum,Vallisneria americana just melted away,and my Hemianthus callitrichoides turned yellowish and were also dying.The rest of the plant(Rotala wallichii,Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata,Blyxa Japonica,Nuphar Japonica,Limnophila sessiliflora) and critters(Amano,cherry shrimp,cardinal)were fine though.

Essenza

Engold · 11-08-2009, 04:59 AM

Some plants are sensitive to excel overdose... especially HC

snail_chen · 12-14-2009, 08:27 PM

I already have CO2 injected, how come I still got algae ??

quatermass · 12-15-2009, 03:50 AM

Lots of reasons!

Perhaps your CO2 system is inefficient?

Perhaps your plants lack key nutrients?

Perhaps your water circulation system isn't well distributed?

Perhaps you have too much light or for too long a on period?

Perhaps you do not have enough filtration and have levels of ammonia?

Have you measured your Redfield Ratio

Seattle_Aquarist · 12-15-2009, 07:42 AM

Hi snail_chen,

It is true that Excel is a source for CO2, but CO2 does not rid an aquarium of algae. Excel also has "undocumented" algaecide properties due to the active ingredient Glutaraldehyde. This thread deals with algaecide properties of Excel. If you are interested in Glutaraldehyde check out the post here.

cwhite67 · 01-22-2010, 04:10 PM

I got the 50% biological grade glut.
I filled my 2 liter empty excel bottle with 2 liters of distilled water.
I added 6ml of the 50% solution of glut.

Is this correct for a 1.5% solution of glut?