Hi
I would like to post my observations on the use of Excell as a means of controlling algae. Completely my choice!
I read many comments and posts on this topic previously
I have a 20g planted tank with white clouds, bronze corys and two ottos. I change 1/3 of the water every week. The water in the tank is clear but I was starting to get a problem with long green algae on the wood and some plants. I have also started cutting back on the food.
At 9:30 an I dosed 3x with excell.(this is less than others have suggested or performed)
At 1:00 pm I looked at the tank and the ottos were flapping their little gills as fast as they can and one is on its side. Lets call this disoriented? The bronze corys were comatose and hardly moving their gills and one seemed suspended sideways in a plant. Half the white clouds were tightly clustered in the top corner and others were bobbing near the bottom. Any one familiar with these fish know that this is not typical behaviour.
5 seconds of panic. :shock:
I whip out the python and remove 3/4 of the water and replace promptly.
Not much change after 1/2 hour. I do a second change of 1/3.
1/2 hour white clouds swimming almost normally. corys gills are moving at least but not swimming unless prodded. ottos not looking good.
after an hour, to see how they would respond, I add some food flakes to the tank and the White clouds ignore these. This has never happened.
I drop in a shrimp pellet among the corys and they do not notice at all. This has never happened.
I turn off the light (reduce any possible stress???) and see what things look like in the morning.
White clouds are normal and eating.
Corys are moving and eating but not as active as normal.
one otto appears normal. The other is looking a bit bloated not very active but alive and I am not sure how he will do.
I would NOT recommend using Excell for purposes other than what is on the label.
I am not sure if excess Excell itself was the cause. Another possibility is that this rapidly disrupted micro-Flora perhaps releasing something toxic. I am not sure of the mode-of-action of Excell in use as an algaecide so it is difficult to tell what happened.
I will post a 48hour update for those interested
Cheers
Joe
I would like to post my observations on the use of Excell as a means of controlling algae. Completely my choice!
I read many comments and posts on this topic previously
I have a 20g planted tank with white clouds, bronze corys and two ottos. I change 1/3 of the water every week. The water in the tank is clear but I was starting to get a problem with long green algae on the wood and some plants. I have also started cutting back on the food.
At 9:30 an I dosed 3x with excell.(this is less than others have suggested or performed)
At 1:00 pm I looked at the tank and the ottos were flapping their little gills as fast as they can and one is on its side. Lets call this disoriented? The bronze corys were comatose and hardly moving their gills and one seemed suspended sideways in a plant. Half the white clouds were tightly clustered in the top corner and others were bobbing near the bottom. Any one familiar with these fish know that this is not typical behaviour.
5 seconds of panic. :shock:
I whip out the python and remove 3/4 of the water and replace promptly.
Not much change after 1/2 hour. I do a second change of 1/3.
1/2 hour white clouds swimming almost normally. corys gills are moving at least but not swimming unless prodded. ottos not looking good.
after an hour, to see how they would respond, I add some food flakes to the tank and the White clouds ignore these. This has never happened.
I drop in a shrimp pellet among the corys and they do not notice at all. This has never happened.
I turn off the light (reduce any possible stress???) and see what things look like in the morning.
White clouds are normal and eating.
Corys are moving and eating but not as active as normal.
one otto appears normal. The other is looking a bit bloated not very active but alive and I am not sure how he will do.
I would NOT recommend using Excell for purposes other than what is on the label.
I am not sure if excess Excell itself was the cause. Another possibility is that this rapidly disrupted micro-Flora perhaps releasing something toxic. I am not sure of the mode-of-action of Excell in use as an algaecide so it is difficult to tell what happened.
I will post a 48hour update for those interested
Cheers
Joe
