API co2 booster and other liquid ferts

[JuiceBox52]

Does anyone have experience with this product? I can’t afford a co2 diffuser, and stumbled across this item.

Also, what’s the best liquid fertilizer for a tank housing fish?

 

[connorlindeman]

The best liquid fertilizer is Flourish Comprehensive. You don't need anything else.

The main ingredient in API Co2 Booster is Glutaraldehyde.

Its commonly used as

• Disinfectant for surgical instruments that cannot be heat sterilized
• A cross-linking and tanning agent
• A biocide in metalworking fluids and in oil and gas pipelines
• An antimicrobial in water-treatment systems
• A slimicide in paper manufacturing
• A preservative in cosmetics
• A disinfectant in animal housing
• A tissue fixative in histology and pathology labs
• A hardening agent in the development of X-rays
• In embalming solutions
• In the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses
• In various clinical applications

Doesnt really seem like something I would want to expose my fish to.

Not only is Co2 not necessary, but it's now believed to affect fish.
cO2 occurs naturally from the respiration of fish and plants.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Flourish Excel as a liquid carbon substitute. I have been using it for at least 20 years. I soe at the normal level and after the weekly water change. But my planted tanks are jungles.

I have used Tropica Fertilizers as long or longer. I am just annoyed I cannot get the 5 liter size in the states any longer. At least not a for a fair price.

I do have several of the SeaChem liquid single fetrs: Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus and Iron. I was using them in my bigger tanks but stopped and now use only Tropica everywhere. They make two versions of the fertilizer. which one to use depentd on two factors. Stocking levlel and volume of plants.

I ran one pressuraized CO2 added tank for about a decade and never used the Excel in it.

 

[Byron]

Aquatic plants require 17 nutrients and sufficient light intensity in order to photosynthesize. These must be in an approximate balance to encourage plant growth and not problem algae. There are two very different approaches (and a lot of "in between") to planted tanks. There is the high-tech using much stronger light (which does have detrimental effects on the fish), adding CO2 (diffused), and usually daily nutrient supplementation to balance. This is great for plants but not for fish. At the opposite end is the low-tech or natural planted tank where fish are the focus and the plants are there to help with water issues, fish health, and provide aesthetics. I have spent 30 years doing the latter; low/moderate lighting of the correct spectrum, and minimal fertilizers but always and only using a comprehensive supplement to ensure everything necessary is available for the plants. I tried many different plants along the way, and those that thrived in my setups I stayed with, and those that clearly wouldn't I got rid of and moved on. In an aquarium with fish being fed you are going to have a lot of natural nutrients, and any excess being added is most likely going to cause algae problems. Photos below of some of my tanks along the journey.

As for fertilizer...if you have larger plants rooted in the substrate, like swords, Flourish Tabs are about all you need. Non-substrate rooted plants bnefit from liquid fertilizer, but always use a comprehensive. Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium was my choice, but if you are in the UK look for TNC Lite.

Another member has already warned of the serious issue with so-called liquid carbon. To my thinking, using this is like injecting bleach into your arm to cure covid. Enough said. I worked out the balance of light and nutrients to avoid any problem algae, and I used the natural CO2 produced primarily in the substrate (which is one reason we leave it alone). As I think the photos show, I did not have CO2 issues.

I should note that my approach to keeping fish has for years been to avoid using any additives/substances/chemicals that were not absolutely necessary for the health of the fish. You have very little to go wrong doing this.

 

[JuiceBox52]

The best liquid fertilizer is Flourish Comprehensive. You don't need anything else.

The main ingredient in API Co2 Booster is Glutaraldehyde.

Its commonly used as

• Disinfectant for surgical instruments that cannot be heat sterilized
• A cross-linking and tanning agent
• A biocide in metalworking fluids and in oil and gas pipelines
• An antimicrobial in water-treatment systems
• A slimicide in paper manufacturing
• A preservative in cosmetics
• A disinfectant in animal housing
• A tissue fixative in histology and pathology labs
• A hardening agent in the development of X-rays
• In embalming solutions
• In the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses
• In various clinical applications

Doesnt really seem like something I would want to expose my fish to.

Not only is Co2 not necessary, but it's now believed to affect fish.
cO2 occurs naturally from the respiration of fish and plants.

See this is what I came for, thanks! Was too mentally drained to look at the ingredients. I figured this was the case, as with excel.

 

[connorlindeman]

See this is what I came for, thanks! Was too mentally drained to look at the ingredients. I figured this was the case, as with excel.

No problem!