2 part answer for you.
First: You need the rest of the nutrients plants need to grow, not just micro nutrients. These are Carbon,(which you have in the form of Excel) Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. Your plants also need Magnesium and Calcium, but this is probably provided by your substrate. There are many sources for cheap aquarium fertilizers, a few to start with: Green Leaf Aquariums, www.aquariumfertilizer.com. My advice, call Orlando from Green Leaf, he is a great resource, and a friendly guy. Tell him what you want to do, and he'll get you what you need. This route is far cheaper than buying prepared fertilizer mixes.(Seachem, ADA) There are many great plans for dosing that are very easy to follow - take a look at the fertilizing forum for ideas.
Second - Trace mixes are pretty subjective, as far as I can tell. I've used CSM+B ( a cheap, commercial dry mix), Seachem Flourish, and Tropica Plant Nutrition. I really like the Tropica micros, and have seen great results using them. But I've also seen tanks that make me weep with envy that just use CSM+B. My advice, start with CSM+B, then if you're not satisfied, try something else. But without the other macro nutrients, it won't matter which micro you use, you will still have problems.
Good luck!
First: You need the rest of the nutrients plants need to grow, not just micro nutrients. These are Carbon,(which you have in the form of Excel) Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. Your plants also need Magnesium and Calcium, but this is probably provided by your substrate. There are many sources for cheap aquarium fertilizers, a few to start with: Green Leaf Aquariums, www.aquariumfertilizer.com. My advice, call Orlando from Green Leaf, he is a great resource, and a friendly guy. Tell him what you want to do, and he'll get you what you need. This route is far cheaper than buying prepared fertilizer mixes.(Seachem, ADA) There are many great plans for dosing that are very easy to follow - take a look at the fertilizing forum for ideas.
Second - Trace mixes are pretty subjective, as far as I can tell. I've used CSM+B ( a cheap, commercial dry mix), Seachem Flourish, and Tropica Plant Nutrition. I really like the Tropica micros, and have seen great results using them. But I've also seen tanks that make me weep with envy that just use CSM+B. My advice, start with CSM+B, then if you're not satisfied, try something else. But without the other macro nutrients, it won't matter which micro you use, you will still have problems.
Good luck!