The following link is Wiki's write up on the main ingredient. For those that do not know what Flourish Excel is, it is marketed as an alternative to CO2 systems. It is also a good killer of algae. I never could find a company answer to why. As a matter of fact no one has. Then I looked up the main ingredient and see why. It is actually an disinfectant as well an "an organic source of carbon". I've been dosing it heavily thinking more is better and am greatful I haven't killed anything in my tank. I have noticed my snails shells been looking lighter and thinner in appearance.
http://en.wikipedia..../Glutaraldehyde
I am going to go without for a while and see if my plants suffer. I use an airstone to keep the water well aerated since I have stream fish. So I have a concern for carbon levels in my water for my plants. I have Vals, Anacharis, Java Moss, Java Ferns, and Ludwiga Repens. Is carbon supplementation needed for these plants? I have eco-complete for substrate, use 2WPG for lighting, and use liquid fertilizers.
WOW!
Started by
Guest_lozgod_*
, Feb 05 2010 01:42 AM
10 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_rickwrench_*
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Posted 05 February 2010 - 05:00 AM
FYI- Excel is well known for melting vals at the full dose strength.
Rick
Rick
Edited by rickwrench, 05 February 2010 - 05:00 AM.
#3
Guest_lozgod_*
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Posted 05 February 2010 - 08:50 PM
I began researching it when I noticed my anacharis melting. I tossed it. If my plants need it I will do a DIY CO2 set up. I am going to see how they do without.
#4
Guest_threegoldfish_*
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Posted 06 February 2010 - 09:17 AM
I tossed mine after a friend dosed her tank with Excel from an older bottle and then lost over half of the fish in the tank to what looked like chemical burns. It was really nasty.
#5
Guest_joshuapope2001_*
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Posted 06 February 2010 - 10:55 PM
I have used Seachem's excel for many years...I have had great luck with it. A friend of mine has done some research and found a different product that is much cheaper. Glutaraldehyde is what is important. I am now using a product called Cidex. The gallon I purchased lists the solution at 2.4% Glutaraldehyde and 97.6% inert. I believe that excel is 2.5%. Cidex is used as a medical cleaning solution. I purchased mine for $9.60 a gallon at the Michigan State University Store. I have found no ill effects since I have switched. I still need to be careful with sensitive plants such as val, moss, riccia, ect. It will also kill fish at high levels but with proper dosing this is not a problem. I use the product in tanks with co2 systems and with tanks without co2 systems. In the tanks without co2 I have noticed great plant growth and health.
#6
Guest_jase_*
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Posted 07 February 2010 - 08:28 AM
Glutaraldehyde is what is important. I am now using a product called Cidex. The gallon I purchased lists the solution at 2.4% Glutaraldehyde and 97.6% inert. I believe that excel is 2.5%. Cidex is used as a medical cleaning solution.
I was curious about this so I did some snooping. Looks like there are three "Cidex" products, and only "Cidex Plus" and "CIDEX Activated Dialdehyde Solution" contain Glutaraldehyde: http://www.aspjj.com...Services/CIDEX/ . I'd be very careful about what is in that "inert ingredients" category. All that means is that those ingredients are not disinfectants -- doesn't mean they're completely benign to the inhabitants of your aquariums. I found elsewhere that "Cidex Plus" contains both a surfactant and fragrance (mint). From what I know, surfactants are not something you want to be adding to your tank... and I'm not sure I'd want my tank smelling minty-fresh. It may be that "CIDEX Activated Dialdehyde Solution" is really just Glutaraldehyde and water, but I'd want to be pretty confident of that before using it...
#7
Guest_fundulus_*
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Posted 07 February 2010 - 11:40 AM
Yeah, with much of the snake oils and potions sold in the retail pet trade, caveat emptor. It's not a regulated market in any serious way.
#8
Michael Wolfe
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Posted 07 February 2010 - 05:26 PM
I have used Seachem's excel for many years...I have had great luck with it. A friend of mine has done some research and found a different product that is much cheaper. Glutaraldehyde is what is important. I am now using a product called Cidex. The gallon I purchased lists the solution at 2.4% Glutaraldehyde and 97.6% inert. I believe that excel is 2.5%. Cidex is used as a medical cleaning solution. I purchased mine for $9.60 a gallon at the Michigan State University Store. I have found no ill effects since I have switched. I still need to be careful with sensitive plants such as val, moss, riccia, ect. It will also kill fish at high levels but with proper dosing this is not a problem. I use the product in tanks with co2 systems and with tanks without co2 systems. In the tanks without co2 I have noticed great plant growth and health.
Cidex cannot be good for your fish... it is a hospital grade product used for high level disinfection and sterilization (if properly applied) of medical devices in a hospital situation... it is also considered a carcinagen (at least in california where everythign is) and exposure to it is tightly controlled in the hospital setting as a user safety issue. I wouldn't expose my employees to that stuff... I certainly wouldn't expose my fish...
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#11
Michael Wolfe
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Posted 07 February 2010 - 09:32 PM
That's just two examples from aquarium people... probably good practical experiences.
My information comes form my other life in the medical device manufacturing and hospital products industry... it is a high level disinfectant and sterilant... that just can't be good for your fish... and I cannot let the reference go by without at least providing an alternative perspective.
My information comes form my other life in the medical device manufacturing and hospital products industry... it is a high level disinfectant and sterilant... that just can't be good for your fish... and I cannot let the reference go by without at least providing an alternative perspective.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
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