Cheap Flourish Excel (registerd) substitue.

Alternative 50% Glutaraldehyde source.

A friend just pointed out, to me, that the one gallon quantities of 50% glut were not available on ebay at this date. Hopefully, the seller will have more. So, he hunted up another source and gave me the URL, thought I'd pass it on:

http://www.laddresearch.com/General_Catalog/Chapter_2/Fixatives/fixatives.html

And, this is the actual listing, on the page:

20260G 50% Glutaraldehyde, 1 gallon $63.50

This will make 20 gallons of 2.5% solution (dilution rate of 1oz 50% glut to 19oz of distilled water.)

It is a bit more than the ebay source, and you still have to pay shipping. A large medical supply company I called, which is local to me, also has it for $59.00. You probably can find a source local to you, if not, this is just another alternative.

Regards,
TA
 
Is the 2.5 solution the equivalent of Excel ?
 
Some say yes, some say no ...

FISHSHROD said:
Is the 2.5 solution the equivalent of Excel ?
Click to expand...

I really don't know the concentration of glutaraldehyde in Excel TM, I don't know anyone who claims to. SeaChem remains mute on the point--and, as far as I am concerned, only supplies "disinformation" (not lies, and not really 'untruths') about the contents of this particular product, IN MY HUMBLE OPINON--I think it harms their image. Without access to gas chromatography equipment and other lab equipment, it is impossible to substantiate any guesses as to the real accuracy and MEANING of the disinformation which SeaChem supplies. However, the form of glut they claim is in their product is only a "fantasy name", and has no bearing on any chemical which exists in a chemistry registry.

I first started diluting straight glut down to 1% and slowly worked up to the 2.5%. I arrived their as visual observation between two identical tanks, Excel used in one, and 2.5% glut in the other, indicated that the results were similar/identical.

However, I have been using the 2.5% solution in my tanks for years now--it seems to give near and/or exact results. My first bottle was Metricide 14 day solution; I believe it is 2.5% if memory serves me correct (don't have a bottle to look at the label.) I used it 1 for 1 in regards to Excels' recommended dosage. I would never suggest anyone exceeds the 2.5% solution before adding it to their tanks. I believe it is as safe in this concentration as Excel.

Currently, I just locate the cheapest source of 50% glutaraldehyde and dilute it, with RO/distilled water to 2.5%, it EXACTLY replaces my use of Excel.

Most high-end large barber/beauty supplies will have it in some concentration (usually 2.5%), as well as tattoo supply outlets.

No fish store in my area will keep it in stock, they will only special order Flourish Excel for me. From what the personnel have told me, regarding the reason(s) is that a LOT of people end up killing sensitive plants such as vals, anacharis, etc.

I will be frank with you, I don't think the Co2 factor of Excel is what really gives me the advantage in using Excel/glut. It is the ALGAE KILLING property/properties (perhaps it also helps kill/control bacteria/viruses which attack plants also--who knows.) Indeed, I actually believe this to be the case with Co2 gas! I mean, in most aquariums their will be abundant dissolved organic carbon in decaying food/plants/fish-waste, etc. I do believe that Co2 gas pushes the PH down and I do believe most algaes in our aquariums favor alkaline conditions, and I do believe that there is some damage done to the algae in regards that it (algaes) have no mechanism to deal with excess Co2--i.e. in the amounts being used. I believe hydrogen peroxide is effective against algaes for the, mostly, same reason(s)--i.e. algae(s) have no mechanisms to deal with too abundant of an oxygen supply. But then, religious wars are being fought over these radical ideas. :screwy:

I would love to find some research papers/data in these areas ... if you ever "wander across" any, please let me know! I would not mind be found wrong in my observations--I'd just really love to find out "what is r-e-a-l-l-y going on?"

Regards,
TA
 
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TechAquaria said:
Having taken a bit and thought over you post, I view the hobby though these eyes:

With any given chemical(s) I find in fish stores/pet suppliers, usually the cost of packaging far exceed the cost of the chemicals/nutrients/elements contained within. (And, even most antibiotics are cheaper to me under my medical plan/insurance!!!)

Indeed, most bottles of quality micro-nutrients are $10.00 USD, or more; the worth of the active ingredient(s) inside fancy bottles are only pennies. Expensive fertilizers are the same, these same ingredients can be supplied for pennies, as compared to many dollars for the commercial products.

The cost of ignorance is great (i.e., results in paying exorbitant prices for others knowledge.) Some of us choose to gain the knowledge/education, etc. ourselves and save the cost, while usually constructing superior product(s) (the cost in pretty packaging/transportation/advertising/etc. can be saved and invested in greater quality.)

Of course, the technical areas of aquarium keeping are best left alone by those unable or unwilling to use caution, learn and experiment--as are most things in this world.

Regards,
TA
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:dance: :cheers:

Best wishes,
Wes
 
glut isnt really that dangerous, at a low concentration you can touch it with your hands, much easier on the eyes and nose than formaldehyde, whats interesting to me though is its disinfectant properties, its a relatively powerful germicide and its effects on the bacteria living in our filters
 
DoctaQ said:
glut isnt really that dangerous, at a low concentration you can touch it with your hands, much easier on the eyes and nose than formaldehyde, whats interesting to me though is its disinfectant properties, its a relatively powerful germicide and its effects on the bacteria living in our filters
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. Take sugars as an example, you can consume sucrose, dextrose, frucrose, etc. and actually get nourishment from them. But, ferment them, let yeast break off a bit of carbon and oxygen and you get ethyl alcohol. Sugars and alcohols are very similar in form. Excel is something close to being 'in the same family' as sugars and alcohols.

I don't use the stuff myself, but it obviously works.
 
Repeated exposure of 2.5% glutaraldehyde or higher to skin will eventually give you contact allergy to the chemical. I am in the dental field and have seen numerous people develop this because they think that it's just another liquid they can handle without gloves. Some will be sensitized to it much quicker than others. This stuff fixes (mummifies) living tissue. It's funny that in the medical field, this stuff has warning labels mandated by OSHA, but there's none on Seachem's Excel even though it's the same thing.
 
Hey techaquaria - why don't you buy gallons of the g... stuff and mix it to 2.5% solution and sell it to the mortals who don't want to buy the big quantities and risk the health hazards of handling the solutions themselves. Bet you'd get rich fast! I can't say I wouldn't be tempted to buy it.....
 
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