What do you think of Seachem Flourish Excel? Are there better alternatives? Let me know in the comments below! 👇 Also don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss out on any future updates. 😀
Informative video as always matey. Another quick way to help beat the algea is with floating plants. Duckweed is an absolute nightmare, it spreads like wildfire and once it's in your tank it's difficult to get rid of it. In the past I've used salvinia, water lettuce and red root floaters, they are fantastic at out competing the algea, if you ever want to go down the natural route. 👍
Thanks for the info and yeah I agree floating plants are massively helpful to keep algae at bay. I actually do use them in my aquariums. Ironically I have experienced duckweed first hand for its issues (I think I mentioned it in an old video about tips on removing it) But yeah massively helpful as a natural alternative as you mentioned 😁👍
Thank you mate :) your video saved my plants as I was putting way too much of the product too often and now that I cut it back and did water changes, the plants are doing well and clear of algae 👌🌱
Just a question. When spot treating are we not overdosing? Or just take the nornal dose for the tank but just use it in one spot? Hope it makes sense!?
Hello, I allow myself to contact you because I wanted to ask you a question. I always shake my bottle before applying Flourish fertilizers. Inside the bottle a reaction of this product which makes a lot of bubbles. does shaking the falcon before applying damage it? thanks in advance good day to you
Do you spot dose everyday? I just bought a Seachem Excel but before I got it, I removed the Green hair grass algae in my planted tank already. Do I still need to spot dose? Thanks for the response, really appreciate it.
No I wouldn't advise dosing everyday, I would recommend dosing areas once and leaving it for a few days and then check to see what results you got with the first dose then continue afterwards if needed. It's definitely not worth adding if you have removed algae, the best method would be to try find the "Balance" in your aquarium, the algae will naturally go once you do and the plants will outcompete the algae for the nutrients. Check for lighting time, how much fertiliser you're adding, if injecting CO2 then is it enough etc.
I did indeed just one cap full per dosing and try to get most of the areas in that dose. If there is alot it's best to try treat specific places at one time so not to over dose the aquarium. You'll know if you do as the plants will start to show the effects 👍
Flourish Excel is a similar structure to Glutaraldehyde which is used as a biocide. Not sure it actually provides much carbon, but perhaps stronger benefit as an algecide. I have been dosing one tank on AE "Liquid carbon" for a year now. Not sure thst the growth in plants is significant than without. All my tanks do not have co2 injection, they are all planted.
How many days did you dose over a week? I read that you should only dose for up to 3 days per week? Just giving it a go on some bba thats flared up in my 100L tank.
Yeah in my expeiernce best to dose once. See what happens after a few days then dose more if required. The first dose should be effective enough if you spot target the area. Let me know how you get on 👍
@@MrBrightfryed thanks for the reply. I added 10ml straight to the tank yesterday after a water change and according to the instructions I need to dose 1.7ml per day as I'm basing it on 80L of water. I see a lot of comments regarding double dosing so I'll see how it goes over next few days and if not doing well I'll do a water change again next Sunday and maybe do a double dose. I'll have a go spot treating the next few days with the daily 1.7ml dosing. 🙂
I have a garbage bag full of anubia not planted yet. How do I treat that..dunk it for 24 hrs in Excell and water or do I have to spot treat every plant.oh and it's blackbeard algae I'm trying to kill
It depends on how you are doing. If your just adding to the water then flow would distribute better. However if spot dosing then no flow as you want the area you are dosing to have as much exposure whilst you are administering
@@MrBrightfryed I have three roots of amazon swords and few leaves have hairy algae and black spot algae(like spotted but not like black beard that has hair on it). I don't know how to spread 3.7ml on them in my 37 gallon tank
There is always risks using chemicals in aquariums which is why you should take it slow if using a method like this. Alternatively as I mention in the video if you'd rather go a more natural way then leave it, the plants will eventually out compete the algae in the end, you can help it along but using a gravel vac and regular water changes to help, people don't often like this method however as it takes time.
Doesn't matter really. Depends I guess on personal preference. If it's bothering you then remove. If not it will gradually decompose like anything else. 👍
If someone could help me it would be great. I have a 200L tank that is planted with java fern and dwarf saggartia (probably spelt wrong) the bottle says after a large water change I need to add 20ml then every day its 5ml for the 200L. Am I over dosing it because I do have some BBA and it's not shifting at all, it's pretty much on the filter and a large ornament I have and on some individual pieces of gravel on the substrate. But I've done it daily for weeks now and nothings really happening. I have the lights on a timer to reduce exposure to light and I do water changes once a week. If I dosed less would it help? Thanks
Hi there. In my experience dosing directly into the water has very little effect. The best option if using this product is to use a pipette and dose directly to the affected areas. It makes a world of difference to the outcome. My advice also would be to check the environmental conditions of the tank too before spending lots of time with this product. Check how long lights are on, how often you do water changes, water flow, is there dead spots where there's no flow? Feeding and how much/often. How mature the aquarium is, younger tanks often are still trying to balance themselves out. Is the aquarium overstocked. Lastly you could check phosphate levels, if they are high then that could be the cause too.
Not to my knowledge, it states on the label and Seachem's website its completely safe for fish. I've not had any issues in my experience and I've added more than the recommended before. Nothings a guarantee as with anything in life but I think you'd be fine.
I always found the best algae killer to be a balanced tank and good husbandry, you get those two things in check and trust me algae won't be a problem. I have never strived to kill algae, my goal is to control it. A little bit of algae in the tank is not a bad thing, algae can be your friend if you control it with a balanced tank. My tank is never 100% algae free but is also not a problem, my tank is about 97% free of algae. You take care of your tanks balance and the algae will take care of itself, the husbandry is to maintain that balance. Don't waste time teaching yourself how to kill algae, spend your time teaching yourself how to balance your tank. Happy fish keeping everyone and here's to balanced tanks, Cheers!
@@m1964c Plants go a long way in helping balance a tank, the more the better. Also pay close attention to how much you feed your fish, over feeding is a big problem in this hobby and leads to most of our problems. I feed my fish once every other day.
What do you think of Seachem Flourish Excel? Are there better alternatives? Let me know in the comments below! 👇 Also don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss out on any future updates. 😀
When you spot treat, turn off your filters to stop water flow(hand on back style) for a few minutes while the excel soaks into the affected areas
Informative video as always matey. Another quick way to help beat the algea is with floating plants. Duckweed is an absolute nightmare, it spreads like wildfire and once it's in your tank it's difficult to get rid of it. In the past I've used salvinia, water lettuce and red root floaters, they are fantastic at out competing the algea, if you ever want to go down the natural route. 👍
Thanks for the info and yeah I agree floating plants are massively helpful to keep algae at bay. I actually do use them in my aquariums. Ironically I have experienced duckweed first hand for its issues (I think I mentioned it in an old video about tips on removing it) But yeah massively helpful as a natural alternative as you mentioned 😁👍
Thank you mate :) your video saved my plants as I was putting way too much of the product too often and now that I cut it back and did water changes, the plants are doing well and clear of algae 👌🌱
Thanks so much for the kind words! I really appreciate it and glad that this video was of use to you and your plants are doing better!
thanks for the Information...
How often this you dose for that week? And the amount? Did you follow what it says on the bottle and kind of just spread it out?
Just a question. When spot treating are we not overdosing? Or just take the nornal dose for the tank but just use it in one spot? Hope it makes sense!?
Thank u for the info. I’m over feeding.
Hello, I allow myself to contact you because I wanted to ask you a question. I always shake my bottle before applying Flourish fertilizers. Inside the bottle a reaction of this product which makes a lot of bubbles. does shaking the falcon before applying damage it? thanks in advance good day to you
Do you spot dose everyday? I just bought a Seachem Excel but before I got it, I removed the Green hair grass algae in my planted tank already. Do I still need to spot dose? Thanks for the response, really appreciate it.
No I wouldn't advise dosing everyday, I would recommend dosing areas once and leaving it for a few days and then check to see what results you got with the first dose then continue afterwards if needed. It's definitely not worth adding if you have removed algae, the best method would be to try find the "Balance" in your aquarium, the algae will naturally go once you do and the plants will outcompete the algae for the nutrients. Check for lighting time, how much fertiliser you're adding, if injecting CO2 then is it enough etc.
Nice video and tips, could you please tell me the size of the tank behind your head when you are talking, the one with the ferns
Thank you, I appreciate it. That tank is 40L 👍😁
I did indeed just one cap full per dosing and try to get most of the areas in that dose. If there is alot it's best to try treat specific places at one time so not to over dose the aquarium. You'll know if you do as the plants will start to show the effects 👍
Do you have to remove the carbon from your filter?
I also have zero Phosphate levels, will Excel correct that?
Do you keep dosing after algae goes away, if so how often?
Good question I liked your comment in hopes of getting an answer to it.
Great video! New subscriber from Australia 🇦🇺❤️
Thanks so much. Really appreciate the feedback and support. Hope you are enjoying some of my other content too ☺️
Flourish Excel is a similar structure to Glutaraldehyde which is used as a biocide. Not sure it actually provides much carbon, but perhaps stronger benefit as an algecide. I have been dosing one tank on AE "Liquid carbon" for a year now. Not sure thst the growth in plants is significant than without. All my tanks do not have co2 injection, they are all planted.
Spot dosing is new for me and its a cool idea. Great vid👍
Thanks, it works alot better this way and more effective too! Thanks for the kind words!
Question.
After treating with excel. Did all this algae die off? My UA-cam is wigging out and I can’t read any comments!
How good is it to feed plants with
How many days did you dose over a week? I read that you should only dose for up to 3 days per week? Just giving it a go on some bba thats flared up in my 100L tank.
Yeah in my expeiernce best to dose once. See what happens after a few days then dose more if required. The first dose should be effective enough if you spot target the area. Let me know how you get on 👍
@@MrBrightfryed thanks for the reply. I added 10ml straight to the tank yesterday after a water change and according to the instructions I need to dose 1.7ml per day as I'm basing it on 80L of water. I see a lot of comments regarding double dosing so I'll see how it goes over next few days and if not doing well I'll do a water change again next Sunday and maybe do a double dose. I'll have a go spot treating the next few days with the daily 1.7ml dosing. 🙂
What substrate are you using
I have a garbage bag full of anubia not planted yet. How do I treat that..dunk it for 24 hrs in Excell and water or do I have to spot treat every plant.oh and it's blackbeard algae I'm trying to kill
Btw. Do we need to turn off the filter while dosing it for 5 mins or longer? Or stronger water flow helps the treatment?
It depends on how you are doing. If your just adding to the water then flow would distribute better. However if spot dosing then no flow as you want the area you are dosing to have as much exposure whilst you are administering
@@MrBrightfryed I just worry it may kill the bb in my filter if I turn it on or these chem got trapped in the filter pad rather than in water column
What if I run co2 also. Do I turn off co2 during treatment?
nope. works best with co2 actually
Turn your co2 up a bit more
What is the name of those flower look alike the pink
Do u have to spot dose bc I just spray it on water surface…is it co2 which fertilized plant?
In my experience spot dosing is the most effective, you tend to see little effect just pouring it in the tank.
@@MrBrightfryed I have three roots of amazon swords and few leaves have hairy algae and black spot algae(like spotted but not like black beard that has hair on it). I don't know how to spread 3.7ml on them in my 37 gallon tank
Cheers dude, good vid
Anytime bro. Hope it helped 🙏
Did this harm your shrimp at all?
Nice video mate
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it 😁👍
What are your water parameters ph/kh/gh??
I used Metricide 14 mixed with water . Cheaper alternative to Seachem excel.
Link
Im worried it might kill the fish
There is always risks using chemicals in aquariums which is why you should take it slow if using a method like this. Alternatively as I mention in the video if you'd rather go a more natural way then leave it, the plants will eventually out compete the algae in the end, you can help it along but using a gravel vac and regular water changes to help, people don't often like this method however as it takes time.
What happens to the dead white color algae? Drops eventually, and gets Syphoned out?
Doesn't matter really. Depends I guess on personal preference. If it's bothering you then remove. If not it will gradually decompose like anything else. 👍
Be aware it can cause crypts to melt cheers mike
Absolutely, can cause many plants to melt if administered too much or too often I've found Jungle Vallisneria to be sensitive to it especially
If someone could help me it would be great. I have a 200L tank that is planted with java fern and dwarf saggartia (probably spelt wrong) the bottle says after a large water change I need to add 20ml then every day its 5ml for the 200L. Am I over dosing it because I do have some BBA and it's not shifting at all, it's pretty much on the filter and a large ornament I have and on some individual pieces of gravel on the substrate. But I've done it daily for weeks now and nothings really happening. I have the lights on a timer to reduce exposure to light and I do water changes once a week. If I dosed less would it help? Thanks
Hi there. In my experience dosing directly into the water has very little effect. The best option if using this product is to use a pipette and dose directly to the affected areas. It makes a world of difference to the outcome. My advice also would be to check the environmental conditions of the tank too before spending lots of time with this product. Check how long lights are on, how often you do water changes, water flow, is there dead spots where there's no flow? Feeding and how much/often. How mature the aquarium is, younger tanks often are still trying to balance themselves out. Is the aquarium overstocked. Lastly you could check phosphate levels, if they are high then that could be the cause too.
@@MrBrightfryed thanks very much for your help
@@craigdalton58 Anytime
Can this product kill your fish if u over dose ???
Not to my knowledge, it states on the label and Seachem's website its completely safe for fish. I've not had any issues in my experience and I've added more than the recommended before. Nothings a guarantee as with anything in life but I think you'd be fine.
I always found the best algae killer to be a balanced tank and good husbandry, you get those two things in check and trust me algae won't be a problem. I have never strived to kill algae, my goal is to control it. A little bit of algae in the tank is not a bad thing, algae can be your friend if you control it with a balanced tank. My tank is never 100% algae free but is also not a problem, my tank is about 97% free of algae. You take care of your tanks balance and the algae will take care of itself, the husbandry is to maintain that balance. Don't waste time teaching yourself how to kill algae, spend your time teaching yourself how to balance your tank. Happy fish keeping everyone and here's to balanced tanks, Cheers!
no reason you can't do both. It's great that you are so perfect. Good grief.
@@nonyabusiness2510
Yeah it is pretty great being perfect, thanx for noticing. Cheers!
My first time with a few spots of BBA so I’m goina try this.
@@m1964c
Plants go a long way in helping balance a tank, the more the better. Also pay close attention to how much you feed your fish, over feeding is a big problem in this hobby and leads to most of our problems. I feed my fish once every other day.
Why is yours clear? Mine is brown…
Sounds like it could be something different, Excel is definitely clear or all the bottles I've ever had do. Maybe it's Flourish fertiliser? 🤔
@@MrBrightfryedI looked again. With carbon it’s fairly clear. The regular flourish is darker.
Your algae is so luscious and healthy, bro lmao.
👍
Algey
Strange it kills Algue and not your plants .
It definitely will in high doses I've found out first hand of that. Just got to take it slow and spot dose small amounts at a time 👍
it dont even kill shrimp
a cap full in my 200L then lights off
super handsome
Thanks 😊