Flourish Excell Vs B.splendens.

[372xp]

As an antidote to a hair algae problem I started adding Seachem Flourish excell to 2 of my tanks. One tank is my females tank which also contains 4 guppys and a plec, the other is my new males tank which also has 2 wcm minnows and 7 shrimp. All seemed ok for the first week after the water change, then after the next change I have noticed a few issues. The females seem lethargic and are displaying horizontal stress stripes, the male has started to clamp his fins, not completely but its starting.
Has anyone had any experience of using this with bettas. My theory is that the added carbon in the water may be upsetting them, possibly affecting there labrynth organ. All other tank inhabitants are unnaffected, so thats why I am heading down this route.
Any ideas.

 

[SamB]

I had not thought carbon would effect bettas as I have a diy co2 system in my 10 gallon betta tank.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Unless you are overdosing the tank or squirting the carbon directly onto the fish it shouldn't cause you a problem. 

 

[372xp]

I had not thought carbon would effect bettas as I have a diy co2 system in my 10 gallon betta tank.

I have never added carbon of any form to my tanks, and the dosing of flourish is correct.
This is just me searching for a solution to a problem, and the reason I am going down this road is all other fish are fine. The only difference between the bettas and the rest is the labrynth organ. It may not be the carbon it could be another ingrediant in flourish. What I really want to know is has anyone else used this product with bettas and wether they found any problems. Then I can eliminate this and look elsewhere for the problem.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I have used this product with bettas - it's perfectly safe. 

 

[SamB]

Right. I was just trying to say that I don't think its the carbon, based on my experience in my tank. I personally haven't used this product before.

 

[372xp]

Thanks folks, this, although answering my question leads me to wander if there is something more insidious going on.

 

[Wildbetta]

I would check for parasites with the symptoms you posted.  I know many a person who keeps bettas and heavily planted tanks that use Flourish Excel with no problems with the bettas so I do not think that is the issue unfortunately although it would probably have been an easier to fix issue. 

 

[372xp]

I have just done 50% change only adding Api stresscoat and stresszyme. No ferts of any time. Done 20% yesterday. See how they are doing tomorow. I am reluctant to add any meds until I have a better Idea whats going on. Possibly esha 2000 if I do. I was toying with the idea of using R/O water from my marine tanks for changes over the next few days so as to add as few a chems as possible.