If you have a planted aquarium—or are planning to start one—you’ve probably come across two popular products: Seachem Flourish and Flourish Excel. Both are loved by fishkeepers, but they’re not the same. So what do they do, and when should you use them?
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What Is Seachem Flourish?
Flourish is a liquid fertilizer made for aquarium plants. It has tiny amounts of nutrients your plants need to grow strong and healthy. These are called micronutrients, and they include things like iron, potassium, and magnesium.
When your plants don’t have enough of these nutrients, their leaves can turn yellow or start melting. Flourish helps prevent that. It’s like giving your plants a healthy snack so they can keep looking great.
What Is Flourish Excel?
Flourish Excel is NOT a fertilizer. It’s a carbon supplement. Plants need carbon to grow, just like they need light and water. In high-tech tanks, people add CO₂ gas with fancy equipment. But if you don’t want to use CO₂ tanks, Excel gives plants a type of carbon they can use instead.
Bonus: Excel can also help reduce algae—especially the hairy, ugly kinds like black beard algae. But be careful—some plants like Vallisneria don’t love Excel. If you use too much, they might melt.
So, What’s the Big Difference?
| Feature | Flourish | Flourish Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Micronutrient fertilizer | Carbon supplement |
| Purpose | Feeds plants with nutrients | Gives carbon (like CO₂) |
| Helps with algae? | No | Yes (in some cases) |
| Safe for all plants? | Yes | No (be careful with sensitive ones) |
| Use with CO₂? | Yes | No need |
How Often Do You Use Them?
Flourish is usually added once or twice a week. You don’t need to dose every day unless your tank is full of fast-growing plants.
Flourish Excel works best if you add it every day or every other day. It’s like your plants’ morning coffee—it keeps them energized and growing.
Speaking of daily boosts—how’s your energy been lately? Feeling tired, slow, or foggy? Maybe it’s time to give your body something extra, too. Renew is like liquid carbon for YOU. It helps you sleep deeply, burn fat, and refresh your system overnight. Try it tonight and feel the glow tomorrow!
Can You Use Both Together?
Absolutely! In fact, they work great as a team. Flourish gives your plants the food they need, and Excel gives them the carbon to use that food. It’s like giving a kid a pencil (Flourish) and paper (Excel) so they can draw their masterpiece.
If you’re not using pressurized CO₂, this combo is one of the best low-tech plant care tricks out there.
Are There Any Downsides?
- Flourish can’t do much on its own. If your tank has poor lighting or no carbon, you won’t see big changes.
- Excel can cause problems if overdosed. Some sensitive plants don’t like it. Also, it’s not real CO₂—just a substitute—so the effects aren’t as strong as gas injection.
What Do Other Fishkeepers Say?
Here’s what people often share online:
- “Flourish keeps my plants green and strong!”
- “Excel helped clear up my algae problem.”
- “Using both together made my Java Fern explode with growth.”
- “I stopped using Excel because my Vallis started melting.”
Bottom line: every tank is a little different. Watch your plants and go slow when trying anything new.
Tips for Best Results
- Shake both bottles before using.
- Start small and increase slowly.
- Use a good light source—neither product works well in the dark!
- Trim old or dying leaves to help new ones grow in.
Here’s a Real-Life Example
Let’s say you have a 20-gallon tank with some Anubias, Java Fern, and Amazon Swords. No CO₂ setup. You could use:
- Flourish: Once a week (5 mL)
- Excel: Every other day (5 mL)
After 2–3 weeks, you’ll likely see brighter leaves, new growth, and fewer algae patches—especially if your light is decent.
Final Thoughts
Flourish and Excel aren’t the same, but they’re both awesome. Use Flourish to feed your plants. Use Excel to help them “breathe” and grow. Together, they make a great team for a healthy, beautiful aquarium—especially if you’re not ready to mess with pressurized CO₂.
And just like your tank needs balance and support, so does your body. If you want to feel lighter, sleep better, and wake up full of energy, Renew Dietary Supplement is your secret weapon. One dose before bed—and boom—your body resets while you rest. Click here and turn your nights into a recharge session!