Hi gronk709,
Although I haven't had any experience with MH. I certainly have had experience with algae. I firmly believe in using Excel, at least initially until passing the initial startup phase. Although I have CO2, I continue to dose with Excel to minimize algae growth in my tanks. Here is what Excel did for me and how I dosed it (see page 20; post 193):
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/algae/3806-flourish-excel-got-rid-all-my-20.html
In fact, Excel worked so well I went ahead and bought Glutaraldehyde and have been using it with the same excellent results. I currently dose Excel at 1X recommended dose unless I see some signs that algae is trying to take hold, then I go to 2X.
BTW, Excel helps to add carbon to the system for plant growth similar to CO2.
I didn't see a lot of stem plants, like hygro, rotala, or ludwigia or rapid growers like watersprite listed for your tank. Stem plants do a great job of helping keep my nutrient levels in check when I first start up a tank.
Although I haven't had any experience with MH. I certainly have had experience with algae. I firmly believe in using Excel, at least initially until passing the initial startup phase. Although I have CO2, I continue to dose with Excel to minimize algae growth in my tanks. Here is what Excel did for me and how I dosed it (see page 20; post 193):
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/algae/3806-flourish-excel-got-rid-all-my-20.html
In fact, Excel worked so well I went ahead and bought Glutaraldehyde and have been using it with the same excellent results. I currently dose Excel at 1X recommended dose unless I see some signs that algae is trying to take hold, then I go to 2X.
BTW, Excel helps to add carbon to the system for plant growth similar to CO2.
I didn't see a lot of stem plants, like hygro, rotala, or ludwigia or rapid growers like watersprite listed for your tank. Stem plants do a great job of helping keep my nutrient levels in check when I first start up a tank.