Pssst...Tired of buying expensive bottles of Flourish Excel?

[jcardona1]

So based on the first link you posted this stuff is normally used as a sterilant? Would this only be because of the duration of exposure or what? I'm just always leary of adding chems to the tank that's all.

Otherwise I'm all for it!!!

Yes, it's a sterilant. If you already add Flourish Excel, then you're already adding the same stuff in your tank. Seachem found out that when low concentrations of glutaraldehyde are added to a tank, it provides a source of inorganic carbon which plants love. Geniu$$$$!!!

 

[smithj427]

Hmm interesting...

 

[TheFishJunky]

Then get the generic, stronger stuff; Metricide 14. Contains glutaraldehyde, which is the active ingredient in Excel. The stuff sold by Seachem is just diluted with water, just like their bottled ferts.

Excel contains 1.5% glutaraldehyde
Metricide is 2.6% glutaraldehyde

So if you dose Metricide according to Excel doses, you'll be adding almost double, which is typically fine. I've dosed 2-3x the recommended amounts of Excel.

You can get a gallon of Metricide for just over $20 shipped, which would cost you about $80+ if using Excel. This isn't breaking news either, do some reading on the planted tank sites.

BUY: http://www.dealmed.com/Products/Surface-Disinfectants/Metricide-14-Day-1-Gallon

 

[Pyramid_Party]

So this is tank safe and just about the same as excel, only cheaper and more potent?

 

[jcardona1]

So this is tank safe and just about the same as excel, only cheaper and more potent?

You got it! Same, cheaper, and potent. Just think of as bulk dry ferts vs watered down liquid ferts sold by Seachem also.

 

[iwantoneofthose]

very interesting...thanks for the heads up!

 

[knifegill]

Sterilant...as in sterilizing fish?

 

[m1ste2tea]

btw, for anyone that is using the metricide, DO NOT put the activator (comes with the package) into the metricide.

 

[kwells]

Sweet man, thanks a lot for this info

 

[skiptomyzoo]

Just bought a gallon of the 28 instead of 14 as I had an ebay giftcard to burn anyhow. Only difference I can tell is it's 2.5 compared to 2.6% glutaraldehyde.
$22.99 with free shipping so you save a few bucks.
As mentioned DO NOT add the activator it comes with to the solution, pitch it whatever you don't need it. As otherwise doing so will make the 14 or 28 signify how many days its good for (besides making it less effective.)