gpodio

I use H2O2 as a spot treatment, very effective but Excel would be a better solution to treat the entire tank.

Here's a link to the H2O2 treatment
http://www.gpodio.com/h2o2.asp

Giancarlo Podio

John P.

I used a dosing pipette deal to spot treat with Excel. It knocked out GSA and BBA (it took 2-3 days, but it worked).

Osteomata

Regarding the health risk/safety of Flourish Excel: I have most of the Flourish line sitting in front of me right now, and I note that only the Excel bottle has a child proof cap. hmmm. If only I can figure out how to open it.

I'll add my completely unscientific test to this thread to help build a data base for us. I prefer a more gentle approach, so I will dose 2 times recommended amount for a week and see how it goes. I am combatting extensive hair/fuzz algae on the upper portions of my stem plants, a bit of staghorn on my crypt, and I noticed my first spots of BBA yesterday on my rotundifolia. Mild green spot, but very clear water and mostly clear glass.

Given Giancarlo's excellent link on H2O2 treatment, I'm not sure why we are not just trying that, seems a whole lot cheaper. Any comments from H2O2 users?

Final comment: I suspect we are all contributing to the evolutionary development of super algae, resistant to all known treatments, by our introduction of a species crisis sure to add weight to the punctuated equalibrium sub-theory. Stephen Jay Gould roles in his grave.

gpodio

My opinion is that while H2O2 is very effective it will likely cause problems if used long term. This is where Excel shines, while it is not as strong it can be used long term to provide organic carbon, reduce iron and keep algae at bay. I think both methods have their place and purpose depending on your particular situation.

I would think if you persist with the chosen treatment until it is all dead you will not contribute to any changes in it's evolution. If you dose insufficiently and keep the algae struggling but alive then we run that risk. Not sure if it's possible to build a resistance to H2O2 though...?

Giancarlo Podio

Jason Baliban

UPDATE: Today will end my 10 day overdosing of excell. I must say that I am very impressed. All of my BBA has been reduced to almost nothing. I am slowly removing all of the affected leaves from my tank. The BBA is still on the leaves, but it is not spreading and doesnt look to be alive. In retrospect, I wish that I had a control for the experiment. I am a skeptic at heart and I feel that maybe I had this success because I got my ferts in line and my plants are growing well. All in all, I would say it was a success.
jB

gnatster

What happens when you stop dosing the exel though.. does it come back?

discus

With respect to algea developing a resistance my personal experience a few months back was that my algea did in fact become resistant. Whenever i did a bleach dip the bleach would pull away to the sides of the bucket just like the grease does in that dishwashing soap ad. Not even the bleach wanted to touch the algea.

Just some algea humour.

Osteomata

Im on day 3 of a daily double dose excel test in my 15G. Here is my results after 2 days:
- Noticable reduction in hair algae, and it clearly was not as well attached to the plants.
- I physically removed 3 leaves with BBA on day one, and i have not seen any new BBA yet....
- Staghorn algea is thriving, not yet affected at all. Ill give it another 5 days and see how it goes.

I began my new fertilization routine today, trying to adapt my nearly full line of Flourish products to the EI method (at least until I get some dry macros). The idea, as recommended in this thread, is not just to kill off the existing algae, but to also adjust the conditions that allowed it in the first place. While my algea gave me a clear indication of a nutrient imbalance, my testing confirmed it: 5ppm Nitrate, no discernable PO4.

motifone

Oh boy, another forum to read I've posted this over at my usual stomping ground, Plantedtank.net, but figured I would ask here too because of all the activity on this subject:

Per Seachem's website, normal dosing of Excel is as follows:

"On initial use or after a major (>40%) water change, use 1 capful (5 mL) for every 40 L (10 gallons). Thereafter use 1capful (5ml) for every 200 L (50 gallons) daily or every other day."

When determining a 2x or 3x dose for my 50 gallon tank, which of the above dosage rules do I go by? If I go by the 1 capful (5ml) for every 50 gallons, then a 2x dose for my 50g would be 10ml and a 3x dose for my 50g would be 15ml? Yes? I plan to dose daily for 10-14 days.

I can't figure out how some of you folks arrived at doses like 25ml for a 75g as mentioned in this thread, or others I've read like, 15ml in a 30g, or 30ml in a 18g.

Basically, what would you recommend as 2x and 3x dosages for my 50g? Also, sounds like I shoud expect cloudiness during the treatment? If so, do I stick to my normal once a week water change routine or do a special "emergency" partial water change?

thanks, .. and thanks for letting me join the board!

chiahead

well the initial dose would be 5ml x 50 g which would be 5ml x 5(50/10=5) or 25ml. So double that would be 50ml and triple is 75ml. After that the following dosage is 5ml for 50g so double would be 10ml and triple is 15ml. I would just do 2-3 times the recomended dosage. Hope this helped u. For example in my 80 g I dose 24 ml daily as my triple dosage.