Gail Marot
New Member
A couple of issues here need explanation to help you moving forward. First, never use any form of algicide if fish are present. Fish continually take in water through all of their cells and at the gills, and substances in the water thus get into the fish's bloodstream. To say the least, none of these are beneficial to the fish, and they can add more stress if not worse. Anything that might kill algae is going to cause issues for the fish, and often plants for that matter.
Second, the plant additives. Keeping in mind the above, the less the better for the fish. Flourish Comprehensive Supplement is a complete balanced nutrient supplementation for plants. Use it minimally, more is not going to help the plants and it will affect the fish, and possibly other organisms too (snails, shrimp, bacteria). I have been using this for over ten years. Their Flourish Tabs which are placed in the substrate can be extremely good for larger substrate-rooted plants like swords.
Flourish Iron should not be used; there is sufficient iron in the Comprehensive. Iron can increase algae, and it can kill some plants, I went through this, it decimated my floating Water Sprite. Plant nutrients have to be in balance according to the needs of the plants; if one nutrient is in excess, it can sometimes cause plants to shut down assimilation of certain other nutrients.
Flourish Excel should not be added to any aquarium with fish, ever. It is a highly toxic disinfectant (glutaraldehyde) and inside the fish this is not good. Even at recommended dosage it can kill some plants outright, and if it should get overdosed it could kill plants, fish and bacteria. I often will kill black beard/brush algae, but that in itself is or should be a warning not to use it with fish present. It is used in hospitals to disinfect surgical instruments, in embalming fluid, in ship's ballasts to kill bacteria...I trust you get the drift.
On that so-called catfish (which it definitely is not), it is some species of cyprinid but I've no idea which. I was reminded of the so-called algae eaters or loaches.
I really appreciate all of the information that you gave me. I've been misled and will never trust these sources again. Aside from this forum can you tell me about trusted suppliers. I would never knowingly hurt any creature, unless it is harmful. Again thanks.