Yes, Flourish® is safe to use with shrimp. Copper can be dangerous to aquatic animals in large amounts, and shelled animals like shrimp and snails can be especially vulnerable. But plants and animals, like shrimp, need small amounts of copper. That’s why we put it in Flourish®, Flourish TraceTM, and our other Trace products. The tiny amount of copper in Flourish® is so small that you would have to take a huge amount of it before it got close to being toxic to even the most sensitive animals. When you change the water and use tap water, a lot more copper is added than when you dose Flourish®.
The standard dose of Flourish® increases the copper concentration by about 0. 002 mg/L (ppm). Most sources will report that copper starts to become stressful to shrimp at about 0. 03 mg/L (ppm). That is more than a 15x overdose. Any product, if overdosed by 15x the recommended amount, would be stressful to shrimp. Copper is quickly used up by plants, so there is no chance of accidentally reaching this level of overdose if the dose is done according to the directions. Have more questions?.
As a shrimp keeper, providing a healthy environment for my shrimp is my top priority. This includes nourishing the live plants in their tank. I often get asked if using Flourish Excel liquid carbon is safe for shrimp. This supplement boosts plant growth but also poses some risks. In this article I’ll share my experiences and advice on using Flourish Excel in a shrimp tank.
What is Flourish Excel?
Flourish Excel is a liquid carbon supplement produced by Seachem. It contains glutaraldehyde, an organic carbon source that enhances plant growth and health. Many aquatic plant owners use it as an alternative to CO2 injection.
By providing carbon, Excel fuels photosynthesis. This results in faster plant growth and lush green foliage. Plants also release more oxygen into the water.
Benefits for a Shrimp Tank
At first glance Excel seems ideal for a shrimp planted tank
- Promotes plant growth to absorb waste and create oxygen
- Discourages algae like black beard algae
- Provides carbon source for plants to thrive
Thriving plants contribute to water quality and shrimp health. However, as I discovered, you must use caution when dosing Excel in a shrimp tank.
Potential Risks to Shrimp
Although Excel can be safe at low doses, it does pose some risks:
- Overdosing can harm or kill shrimp
- Can damage sensitive species like Caridina and Bee shrimp
- May impact shrimp reproduction and breeding
- Adds an unstable carbon source that fluctuates
Excel is not optimized for the sensitive balance of a shrimp tank. Special care is required to avoid disaster.
My Experience Using Excel
I used the standard daily dosing of 5 mL per 50 gallons in my cherry shrimp tank. The plants pearled beautifully and algae was controlled.
However, my shrimp gradually became lethargic. Molting and breeding declined. I eventually suffered some unexplained deaths.
I immediately ceased the Excel and completed several water changes. Thankfully the remaining shrimp recovered, and breeding resumed. But I will never use Excel again in a shrimp-only tank.
Tips for Safe Use of Excel
While my experience was negative, some shrimp keepers successfully use Excel. Here are some tips:
- Start with 1/4 dose and gradually increase over 2 weeks
- Never exceed standard dose per label instructions
- Dose only 2-3 times per week, not daily
- Dose right before lights on when plants use carbon most
- Monitor shrimp behavior closely for any ill effects
- Increase water changes to dilute Excel concentration
- Stop immediately if any issues observed
The Verdict?
Excel can likely be used safely in a shrimp tank at conservative doses of 1-2 times per week. But any perceived benefits are not worth risking shrimp health.
I only use Excel now in my planted community tank with hardy fish and Amano shrimp. For Caridina and other sensitive shrimp, I don’t recommend it.
There are safer alternatives to provide carbon and control algae, like CO2 injection or alder cones. Or you can embrace the natural cycle of a low-tech planted shrimp tank.
While Excel has its purposes, my advice is to proceed with extreme caution. Avoid using it unless you are vigilant and prepared to stop immediately if problems arise. Don’t put your precious shrimp in jeopardy if you can help it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some signs Excel is harming my shrimp?
Watch for lethargic behavior, reduced feeding and mating, molting issues, loss of color, and unexplained deaths. Discontinue Excel if you observe any problems.
Can Excel actually kill my shrimp suddenly?
Yes, directly overdosing Excel can quickly kill shrimp. But even lower toxic doses can gradually harm shrimp over time.
What shrimp species are most vulnerable to Excel?
Sensitive shrimp like Crystal Reds and Taiwan Bees are at highest risk. Amanos and Neocaridina like cherries and Red Rilis are a bit more tolerant.
Is it safe to use Excel to kill algae in a shrimp tank?
No, you should never purposely overdose Excel to kill algae in a tank with shrimp present. Significant harm or death could occur.
Can I use Excel if I have a lot of fast growing stem plants?
Heavy plant mass provides some buffering, but shrimp may still be vulnerable. Dose conservatively and monitor shrimp closely to be safe.
Is Thrive liquid carbon safer than Excel for shrimp?
Some shrimp keepers report less issues with Thrive. But all liquid carbon poses risks and should be used with great care in a shrimp tank.
Can I spot treat BBA algae with Excel if shrimp aren’t nearby?
This is risky since any Excel will get into the water. I would not recommend spot treating a tank containing shrimp.
What if my tank also has snails or Nerite shrimp?
Excel and liquid carbons can also potentially impact snails. So again, use extreme care and restraint when dosing Excel in any invertebrate tank.
Is Excel itself toxic or just overdosing that harms shrimp?
Even recommended low doses of Excel can gradually deteriorate shrimp health. So the product itself is inherently problematic for sensitive shrimp.
Can I use Excel in an emergency to stop an algae bloom?
No, never dose Excel to extremes in an attempt to kill algae with shrimp present. This puts your shrimp at grave risk of dying.
Are shrimp babies and juveniles more sensitive to Excel?
Yes, shrimplets and young juvenile shrimp are even more vulnerable to toxicity issues with Excel. Extra precaution is required.
How long should I wait to add shrimp after stopping Excel dosing?
I would wait at least a month after discontinuing Excel before attempting to add or breed sensitive shrimp species again.
Is Excel safe with hardy fish like tetras, danios, barbs, etc?
Most hardy fish can tolerate standard Excel dosing. But as always, observe fish closely and reduce or stop Excel if any concerning symptoms appear.
