I just finished planting an aquarium about two weeks ago which Vals were included. When I spoke to the man that I bought them from (all of the plants), he suggested that I get flourish excel and stressed that I "DO NOT" go with the initial dose. He sent me a bottle and and told me to do the maintenance dose (5ml for every 50 gal.) and he circled every other day. He does aquatic plants for a living so I guess he knows. I've been following the instructions along with plant ferts. and my Vals seems to be taking off.