Seattle_Aquarist

Hi Peter16,

Flourish is the name of Seachem's plant product line. Seachem makes the following:
Flourish Comprehensive
Flourish Trace
Flourish Nitrogen
Flourish Phosphorus
Flourish Potassium
Flourish Excel

Flourish Excel is sold as a carbon supplement, however if used in stronger doses than recommended it also has algaecide properties.

Peter16

Thanks Roy.
But on this website, it advertises, a bottle of "flourish"
http://www.aquaticlifeaquariums.com.au/index1.html

And a bottle of "Flourish excel" Same price, different description.
http://www.aquaticlifeaquariums.com.au/index1.html

Also in the chart on the first post is has dosage rates for "flourish" as well as "flourish excel"

csaxe21

Right now I'm dosing with Excel, and I'm waiting for my dry ferts so I can do the PPS-Pro method, but in the mean time, should I put the Excel in the tank before the lights are turned on? I know you're supposed to do this with the PPS-Pro, and it makes sense, so I'd guess you'd have to do it with any fertilizers?

Left C

From: http://www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/FlourishExcel.html

Q: Is it better to add Flourish Excel at night or in the morning based upon plant carbon uptake physiology?

A: Carbon intake is a function of photosynthesis. Based on this, it would be ideal to dose Flourish Excel during the day. But given that Flourish Excel can stay complexed as a carbon source for up to 24 hours before it dissipates, you can dose at any time of the day and the product will be available for the next 24 hours. Flourish Excel is not carbon dioxide and there is no impact on pH using Flourish Excel.


Q: Is Flourish Excel a replacement for CO2 in a planted aquarium?

A: Yes and no. It provides the same benefit as CO2, i.e. it provides the plants with a source of carbon for growth just as CO2 provides them with carbon. However CO2 by itself will give you quantitatively more growth than Excel by itself, although Excel does provide a substantial amount in comparison. If CO2 is a 10, Excel is a 6-7. Using both together provides additional benefit. One of the advantages of the Excel is no up front equipment costs and complexity of valves, hoses and regulators, etc.

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi Peter16,

So I don't confuse people, I refer to Flourish as Flourish Comprehensive, which is the micronutrient additive.
BTW, I forgot Flourish Iron!
http://www.seachem.com/Products/Planted.html

Hi csaxe21,

I dose my ferts and Excel in the morning when the lights come on, it works for me.

Left C

I call it Flourish Comprehensive too.

Many people refer to Flourish as Trace without realizing that Seachem has a Product called Flourish Trace. It confused some people when they were told to use Flourish Trace for micro fert dosing. Calling the product simply named Flourish Flourish Comprehensive clears up the problem.

Peter16

I see now.
Thanks again.

murdocmason

quick question ... why are the ppms so spuratic for the seachem dosing guide compared to EI,PPS,PPS pro/classic?? just a newb trying to figure things out =) Ie at the end of the week in my 25 gallon I have.

No3=2.09 ppm
Fe Iron=1.76 ppm
Po4=0.14 ppm
K=4.82 ppm

I'm not gonna go into trace it gets to small to matter that much to my question. now thats also saying my plants arent growing at all meaning no uptake of ferts if you bring plants into the equation wouldnt that starve them ? or is it meant to be lean? reason I ask is that I use the seachem line and would love to be using it right =)

xXDOCXx

Left C

I'm sorry. I haven't been around in a while.

Seachem actually designed their dosing system. It is lean like you said. I created the calculator solely based on their fertilization schedule. People were having a hard time doing the conversions and I wrote it for that reason. When you get a chance, read the part that is in the lower right section. It basically tells you that it is a rough guide, all aquariums are different and that you would have to adjust it for your own needs. Here it is:
Please read this before you start your dosing regimen.
"Although planted aquariums are often considered to be difficult for the beginning hobbyist, we believe that planted aquaria are actually ideal for the beginner. With the right substrate the beginner can have a successful aquarium with a minimum of maintenance. As the beginner becomes more comfortable in the hobby they will feel inclined to experiment a bit and thus build on the solid foundation they have already established. It won't always be necessary to dose your aquarium with each of the products in the Flourish line, but as an example, we have developed one possible dosing regimen using all of our plant products. This is by no means the only way to dose your aquarium; it is merely a suggestion. Your dosing regimen will depend greatly on a variety of factors, including lighting, initial water quality, how heavily stocked your aquarium is, substrate selection, and types of plants; so don't be surprised if getting the results you want takes a little experimentation."


Seachem's dosing schedule was out before EI, PPS-Pro, etc. Back in the day, people dosed their planted aquariums very lean. Why is it lean? You will have to ask Seachem that question.


Are you adding CO2? Will you describe your lighting?

Note that when you use Flourish Nitrogen, you double your NO3 reading because 1/2 of it is NH4+ and 1/2 of it is NO3. So, you have 4.18 ppm of NO3.

From: http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...hNitrogen.html
"Because one-half of the nitrogen in Flourish Nitrogen™ is from nitrate you can get a reasonable estimate of nitrogen levels by doubling a nitrate reading ..."

You asked about your specs and dosing. You don't have anything bottoming out; which is good. If your plants are doing well and you don't have any algae issues; you should continue dosing like you are. Don't let NO3 or PO4 bottom out. This may cause algae. Don't let K bottom out either. This can cause pinholes in the leaves.

The Microsoft Office Excel based calculator has all of Excel's features. This means that you can customize it for your own use. You can use the unhide function to view the formulas and change them if you want to.

I'll keep a check on this thread to see if you have any questions. Good luck!

Left C

murdocmason

still no answer huh??