Momotaro

Glutaraldehyde is a chemical that is used for cold sterilization of medical and dental tools, used in tanning hides, and as a chemical preservative.

Glutaraldehyde can also used as an alternative to formaldehyde in embalming fluid, although it is not the norm. Glutaraldehyde is a superior fixant, disinfectant and (more in line with this discussion) sporicide.

With the relationship between glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde established, makes me wonder if Flourish Excel could have an effect on ick as well? After all, Formalin is the main component in many ick treatments. Quik Cure for instance. Just something else to ponder.

Now Flourish Excel appears to be a glutaraldehyde based compound, not gluteraldehyde solely.

Pardon my digression.

I have noticed a recent spate of BBA in my 75G, with the Blyxa japonica being the sole plant effected. I am going to join the grand experiment.

The general consensus is 2x to 3x the recommended dosage? I want to be in line with the rest of you to keep the process "scientific", so to speak. For my 75G that means 70ml/105ml on water change and 14ml/21ml three times a week? How long of a dosing period?

Also, any reasons to believe UV would have an effect on Flourish Excel?

Mike

John P.

Hi Mike,

What are you doing over here?

I've been using 15 mL on a 26-G daily with no problems. Essentially a little more than the initial dose recommended by Seachem, but every day.

MatPat

Mike,

To combat the BBA in my 75g (mainly on my driftwood), I used 30ml of Excel every day for seven days. I didn't do a large Excel dose after the water change or skip any days, just 30ml each day until the next water change. It worked very well but I do have one patch of BBA coming back on my driftwood. I probably should have went 10 days or so of Excel addition but the BBA was not noticeable to the eye so I stopped at day 7.

GillMan

I started dosing 3X Excel last Tuesday, on my 90 gal. tank, which was slow in getting rid of the short green filamentous aglae pest. As of Saturday night, I had very little algae build up on my inside panes. All inhabitants are doing fine, except the algae of course. I plan on dosing for two weeks, maybe longer. I like the idea of adding a calvin cycle intermediary, perhaps to increase growth rates, especially after heavy pruning, which I did when I started dosing Excel. We'll see. Any more updates from longer term users?

gpodio

As you can see from the MSDS (http://www.seachem.com/support/MSDS.pdf) the following products all contain glutaraldehyde:

I have been using Excel for some time however in one tank as the exclusive source of carbon. In this tank (2.5gals) I have varied the dose from 1ml daily to 1ml every 2-3 days without any problems for the plants or snails in the tank. I did try 2ml daily but I noticed some minor problems starting to form with some of the plants so I didn't keep that up for long. Algae, not a trace. Plants (including Hemianthus Callitrichoides) are doing well.

I'm not sure what effect UV has on Excel, but we do know that glutaraldehyde is a very unstable element and breaks down quickly, so it's lifespan is already known to be very limited, that's why frequent doses are required.

Giancarlo Podio

jsenske

Just throwing my 2cents in... Excel has workd for me also in getting rid of nuisance algae. 2-3Xs recommended daily dose is what I have used. The only area it was not too successful for me was in really large tanks- 300+ gallons. 20-135gal. range it has worked good.

Jason Baliban

I have been using excel for about 3 days now. I am dosing 3x the recommended on a 46 gallon tank. Already, the BBA is turning red on the tips. I dont know what this means, but I see that it has happened to others as well. I should also say that I am already using pressurized CO2.....maintaining 30++ppm. Any thoughts or comments on this? I will update again in a few days.
Thanks
jB

gpodio

Hi Jason, this is a clear sign that it's dying, it always turns red/pink when it's suffering. At some stage your fish will likely start picking at it.

So based on your experience so far and that of Jeff, it's safe to assume 3x the recommended dose causes no visible ill effects on the fish? I don't see any reason to use higher concentrations as even 2x the dose seems to be effective.

Thanks
Giancarlo Podio

Jason Baliban

Thanks GP!! That is great news then. I have read others us this treatment for 10 days. I will surely keep you all posted. Here is a very very bad pic I snapped yesterday. Yesterday was day 3 and you can already see how it is efffecting the color of the BBA.



jB

algae

Momotaro mentioned:
.
Is it possible, in applying the dosage, to specifically target the offender? ...Like with an underwater atomizer or some such that can be aimed at the one affected subject?