Seachem Flourish Excel Bioavailable Carbon - Organic Carbon Source for Aquatic Plants 250 ml

In combination with either Flourite or Eco-complete substrates, I've used Excel for years for my planted tanks. With zero buffering capacity (kh) in the pH 8 well water I had, using a CO2 system guaranteed gorgeous plants but dead fish because of the resulting the wide swings of pH. Excel allows me to have a low tech tank and works wonders for the low to medium light plants that I prefer (crypts, anubias, java ferns, along with higher light wisteria and egeria densa used to combat algae from getting established before the plants do). I now have pH7 water with 2 degrees of hardness and will continue with Excel. For my latest tank (20 long), I've been adding 2ml every day -- it took a month for the plants to establish and start growing. I'll taper off to every other day soon. I expected the crypts to completely melt when first planted because, well, they are crypts and that's what they do. But they didn't melt and are already putting out new leaves and coloring up nicely. This tank also has 2 small Amazon swords planted in the higher light areas of the tank -- they lost their original leaves (they were grown emerged) and now have beautiful truly submerged foliage. I don't have any luck using liquid fertilizers or laterite - I'm amazed at all the different kinds of algae I managed to grow when I used them. By using Excel and adding Osmocote pelleted fertilizer deep under the substrate just where heavy feeding plants' roots are, that seems to limit excess nutrients. I've heard that egeria densa doesn't do well with Excel but mine is doing great and growing like a weed while floating over the top of the water. It's never affected my fish, snails or shrimp either.

This stuff is awesome. My tank had the hard to remove "black beards algae." Scraping, cleaning, sponges, razor blades.... nothing would remove it. Got a recommendation to try this. 2 capfuls and 4 days later and the algae is almost gone, a week later and it's like it was never there. Easiest solution to the most annoying problem ever. The bottle should last awhile as you dont need much to get results. Worth every penny.

I haven't used this long, but I have enjoyed the results so far. I have several plants in a 2-gallon Betta tank. I dose the tank with Flourish, Flourish Iron, and this. And I have seen growth within the first week. I have to dose in very small amounts (1 drop is less than half the recommended dose for that size, two drops is too much) but I do see a difference. I have avoided Excel for the longest time because I heard the stories of people overdosing (accidentally or not) and killing everything in their tank. I can dose correctly, but I didn't want to take the risk with something so dangerous to tank life even if slightly overdosed. I am currently cycling the tank that the plants are in, so no fish yet, but I am sure it will be safe even at the recommended dose, let alone half it. I see lots of people saying they "prefer Excel to Flourish." They are completely different products. Flourish is a micro trace element fertilizer. Excel is a carbon-providing fertilizer. They can be used in conjunction, or separately, but they are separate products. They should not be compared "one or the other." The active ingredient is actually a sterilizer, and is used in some algaecide products. So this means yes, it can be used to kill algae. However Seachem does not market it as such, so you will find no official approval of the product as such from them. The bottle, unlike other Seachem product bottles, contains a ratcheting child safety cap. I see some people say it breaks easily on them, but I haven't had mine break yet. This has a cap like that for a very good reason. This stuff could be dangerous. Not only can some people react to it if it touches their skin or they breath it, but it should be kept well away from anyone who might think it would be a good idea to pour it in a tank, because "it's a fertilizer, so it'll be good for the plants." All fertilizer products should be kept up, but if you overdose with Flourish, you are likely only to have an algae problem if you don't do a water change soon enough. If you overdose with Excel, it will kill everything in the tank.

Best algae control product on the market--at least that I have found. Almost gave up my aquarium because couldn't keep the algae down; plants were dying. Daily use of this product stops it in its tracks.

Seachem Flourish Excel 250ml is a great tool for aquarists that want to start a simple planted aquarium. This product serves as an alternative to injected C02, which can be a pretty big hassle. C02 is very helpful for helping plants grow, but should be used in conjunction with fertilizers and proper lighting. I would highly recommend if you are looking into Excel, that you also look into Flourish. Flourish is Seachems nutrient supplement for aquariums. The Excel will allow plants to grow quickly and facilitates the consumption of nutrients in the water but doesn't actually provide any. This product definitely helped my baby tears grow wild. Before using it they were stagnant for months, after a couple months of dosing Excel I had a full bed at the bottom of my aquarium that was green and healthy. All over great product for small aquariums looking for a boost in growth. Big aquariums such as 50+ gallons I imagine the cost would become much too high and I would recommend a DIY C02 option or straight injected C02 for better results.

Only been using it a few days but it's already working on the algae i've been fighting for ages!

Its a good source of carbon for a planted aquarium. I used it with success for a year and a half before breaking down the tank. Can get very costly when using on larger tanks so be sure to keep that in mind when deciding on gaseous or liquid carbon. The up front cost for gas will be more expensive but if the system will be set up for an extended period of time it will pay for itself. But as with most of what Seachem sells the quality of the product is top notch.

Highly recommended product for planted aquarium.

Product is good but must imp is Bacteria and algae comes from this product. Make sure water will change on the 15-20 days while put time chemical on the water of aquarium.

J'utilise Seachem Flourish Excel Carbone Liquide depuis plusieurs mois maintenant pour mon aquarium planté, et je suis très satisfait des résultats obtenus. Ce produit est un excellent substitut au CO2 gazeux pour favoriser la croissance des plantes aquatiques. L'utilisation de Flourish Excel est simple : il suffit d'ajouter la dose recommandée directement dans l'aquarium chaque jour, en fonction du volume d'eau. Il est rapidement absorbé par les plantes, ce qui leur permet de réaliser la photosynthèse plus efficacement et de développer des feuilles plus saines et plus vertes. Ce que j'apprécie particulièrement avec ce produit, c'est qu'il ne favorise pas la croissance des algues comme certains autres produits contenant du carbone. Au contraire, il aide à maintenir un équilibre sain dans l'écosystème de l'aquarium en favorisant la croissance des plantes sans encourager la prolifération des algues indésirables. De plus, le conditionnement en bouteille est pratique et économique. La bouteille de 250 mL dure longtemps, même avec un aquarium de taille moyenne à grande. En résumé, Seachem Flourish Excel Carbone Liquide est un choix parfait pour les aquariophiles qui souhaitent améliorer la santé et la croissance de leurs plantes aquatiques tout en maintenant un environnement équilibré et esthétique. Je le recommande vivement pour tous ceux qui veulent maximiser la beauté de leur aquarium planté.

Não faz milagres, mas ele “mata” as algas filamentosas e peteca (claro que não é do dia para noite). Como eu apliquei: desligar filtros e qualquer outro tipo de correntezas; aplicar o Excel bem em cima das algas e deixar agir uns 5min. Após, religarmos filtros normalmente.

Excelente producto. Me lo recomendaron en una tienda de peces porque tenía una invasión de algas. El acuario estaba cubierto, las piedras, las plantas, los cristales, todo. Lo he utilizado con las dosis recomendadas y acuario sin luz (luz natural) durante varios días y las algas fueron desapareciendo. Desde entonces lo uso diariamente acompañado con luz de intensidad moderada y el acuario luce hermoso.