Stop using Seachem Flourish Excel for Otos?

[gonathan85]

So I'm very very very sparingly dosing Excel in my 10g planted tank in addition to DIY C02.

I've heard that the Excel can kill forms of algae, and I want my otos to have PLENTY to eat. I'm blanching zucchini for them at the moment, and am not worried about food beign available, however, would like for them to have natural algae as well.

So stop the Excel in order for algae to produce, or continue?

Thanks
nate

[robflanker]

I have never ever heard this - link?

[Lab_Rat]

Excel is great for killing bba, which otos will not eat. But if you're running CO2 then there is really no need for you to dose excel anyway.

[gonathan85]

I have never ever heard this - link?

Here ya go, dude.

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and...

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So. I have established that this is a common hobbyist belief that it at least harms forms of algae.

Anyway, that aside, If it just kills forms of algae that are not desirable or too tough for the little cats to consume, no big deal.

I might do the whole "use tank water and river rocks to grow algae in bowl in indirect sun" thing.

Any other opinions that we can discuss?

[robflanker]

Cool thanks for the links

[dmagerl]

While its true Ottos dont eat live BBA, they do happily munch down on dead BBA.

I use a syringe and spot treat BBA with Excel to kill it. It turns a bright orange a day after treating. My Ottos usually move right in and clean up after the color change occurs.

I have never had any luck treating an entire tank with Excel and killing algae tank-wide. I always have to use a syringe and squirt the algae directly.

[Lady Hobbs]

Atho some people dose Excel at 3 and even 4 times the recommended dose to kill algae, it can also kill some fish. Excel also kills some plants even at the recommended dose. It also will kill snails and shrimp. It does not kill algae at recommended dosages.

[Algenco]

Atho some people dose Excel at 3 and even 4 times the recommended dose to kill algae, it can also kill some fish. Excel also kills some plants even at the recommended dose. It also will kill snails and shrimp. It does not kill algae at recommended dosages.


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[Lady Hobbs]

I'm a girl.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.] LOLOL

[Algenco]

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oops

[gonathan85]

Atho some people dose Excel at 3 and even 4 times the recommended dose to kill algae, it can also kill some fish. Excel also kills some plants even at the recommended dose. It also will kill snails and shrimp. It does not kill algae at recommended dosages.

In the process of getting those links, I realized this too. I'm minimally dosing this fert. I probably add 1ml to my 10g every other day...maybe less.

I'm growing anubias so I am worried about flourish melting it....pretty much takin it ez on the flourish as I'm also doing DIY C02.

[fibertech]

I have been using Excel for quite a long time. I dose 7ml daily in my 55 and one of my Ottos is almost six inches long and very fat. Biggest Otto I have ever seen.

[Sharon]

Maybe a Flying Fox, or some other fish resembling Oto...