Liquid Co2? Your thoughts.

[Pyramid_Party]

The only thing I can say is make sure those frog bit that are floating are not blocking too much light. Most of the plants you listed are not too hard to grow. Not familiar with Microsolium though. But I will say that Echinodorus/swords are heavy root feeders and need iron.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Also,

I personally think excel works fine with a low light/low tech set up. Excel and other liquid CO2 is nice on small tanks, like 20 gallon and below. If it is higher it will be really expensive for you in the long run. For stuff over 20 gallons I would suggest DIY CO2.

 

[Outlander]

Also,

I personally think excel works fine with a low light/low tech set up. Excel and other liquid CO2 is nice on small tanks, like 20 gallon and below. If it is higher it will be really expensive for you in the long run. For stuff over 20 gallons I would suggest DIY CO2.

Yes you have a point there! The tank is a 155 litre and at $19 a bottle it's going to cost a small fortune in the long run. I bought a bottle earlier today and will see how it goes. If things begin to deteriorate after I finish the bottle I'll definitely have a look at DIY Co2 systems.
As for the frog bit... it's thick over in all the other tanks I have and the plants in there are flourishing! Thinking it over now it sounds more of a nutrient deficiency rather than lack of Co2. Ferts have been added so I'll just keep an eye on how things develop. Thanks for the input.

 

[aclockworkorange]

I think it's a nice product for planted tanks that aren't that "serious." I think in the end with the time/effort of DIY, you could set up a nice entry level pressurized co2 setup. I got mine for $80 off another MFK member locally. I think you will 100% see better growth using it, but as mentioned by others you need to make sure you have adequate light and nutrients already. Good luck!

 

[MonsterMinis]

swords and crypts I've noticed appreciate fert tablets more then liquid/dry doseing ime. which may also be a viable option for you since they only need to be pushed down into the substrate every few monthes. since I satrted adding tablets to my cypt tanks they have flourished... I haven't done anything else different.

seachems line of ferts/plant stuff imo is a nice start for playing with planted tanks.

 

[aclockworkorange]

swords and crypts I've noticed appreciate fert tablets more then liquid/dry doseing ime. which may also be a viable option for you since they only need to be pushed down into the substrate every few monthes. since I satrted adding tablets to my cypt tanks they have flourished... I haven't done anything else different.

seachems line of ferts/plant stuff imo is a nice start for playing with planted tanks.

Agreed. Fert tabs give really good results with root nutrients drawing plants. That, proper light, and excel led to crypts taking over my 20 gallon low tech.

 

[komodo182]

API sent me a bottle of the CO2 liquid or whatever its called. I do like it
My plants appear to be growing faster. I do use leaf zone as well.
My water onion is growing much faster than my first water onion I have. Only different is I started using the API CO2 stuff.

 

[Aquanero]

I use Excel as a supplement to my DIY CO2 along with Flourish and have excelent results. I don't go crazy with measuring, two cap fulls a week of excel and one cap full of flourish after 50% water change on my 45 gal. Works great in my tank so I don't mess with it. I have Crypts, Val, Anubius, Cabomba and water sprite. 130 watts 10K/6.7K on for 10 hours a day. Nothing too fancy but good steady growth.

 

[uncpmatt]

Just coming across this topic, and I know I'm somewhat of a lurker here and don't post much... but Seachem Excel works great to liven up my Amazon Swords and Crypts, and has done an excellent job killing off hair algae for me in the past.

 

[Outlander]

Apologies for not getting back to this thread. I'm in Japan and was affected by the recent 9.0 earthquake that hit us. Just got internet back today..
Well thanks for the continued input. It's been really helpful, and has opened my eyes. My tanks are still in one piece and when things return to normal I'll be putting some of your advice into practice. Thanks all once again.