Pressurized CO2 or Glutaraldehyde

[Nikhilsk99]

One of the topics http://www.gwapa.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=5172 I see lot of people buying Glutaraldehyde.
So my question is, Once I buy a pressurized CO2 system then, is it recommended to suppliment with Glutaraldehyde or flourish ?

[150EH]

I use it for algae control, spot treatments, and cleaning plus it gives the plants a little a little boost so I like to have some on hand. If your tank is running smoothly I'd see no need to use it but many do.

[Jeff120]

In a small low light tank you could do just Glut or excel, most of use run higher light tanks and large volume it just isnt practical for a large high light tank.

[jcali10]

Glutaraldehyde just like Excel can be used as a carbon source, and as noted earlier as an algaecide. If you have high tech tanks, you probably dont need an alternate carbon source, or an algaecide for that matter, because if your tanks are getting a proper balance of nutrients and CO2 you will not have algae problems. Those are big IFs though, most of us experience algae at some point, and anything that helps abate it is always nice to have at your disposal. And just like Excel, some plants are sensitive to Glutaraldehyde, Valisneria is one I read about most often.

[jcali10]

I've also read that riccia (which I have not grown) is sensitive to glutaraldehyde. Also dosing Excel or Glute may be beneficial if you are use DIY CO2, since that method is not as consistent in it's delivery as a pressurized CO2 system. At least that's been my experience. And lastly, I just read at Big Al's website that Excel promotes the ferrous state of iron, which is more easily utilized by plants. So I would imagine glute may have the same benefit if that is true.

[jweis]

I've also read that riccia (which I have not grown) is sensitive to glutaraldehyde. Also dosing Excel or Glute may be beneficial if you are use DIY CO2, since that method is not as consistent in it's delivery as a pressurized CO2 system. At least that's been my experience. And lastly, I just read at Big Al's website that Excel promotes the ferrous state of iron, which is more easily utilized by plants. So I would imagine glute may have the same benefit if that is true.

Be sure not to use it on fissidens either.

[SCMurphy]

I've used excel to de-algae fissidens to good effect.

[jweis]

I've used excel to de-algae fissidens to good effect.

Really? It turned my fissidens brown. What's your method?

[150EH]

It killed off mine as well.