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I really don't know the answer to this yet but I am hoping that we can get an idea. Hopefully others will help me out here to try and find the answers. So here is where I think we need to start.
What do you think is the most important element of the planted tank and why?
I think it is a contstant source of carbon from either CO2 injection or the use of Excel. I have tried both and while using DIY CO2, I had spuratic growth at best and I was never able to get the rate of growth I get from using Excel. Just like DIY CO2, when my levels weren't constant I got BBA or staghorn. If I miss a day or two of Excel dosing I get staghorn back again and have to fight it with regular dosing and spot treatments. Of course you need descent lighting and a good dosing regiment but once you have that, a regular and constant source of carbon will give you better growth than getting more light or a better substrate. That is how it works for me anyway.
Save the debate for later, these are facts based on our own experience and I know that there is a lot of members who can not get certain things to work for them that others can. For me, DIY CO2 was a major bust so I switched to Excel, some may not have much luck with Excel but have great success with DIY CO2. With the success I have had in one tank, the same is not true in a tank right beside it with the exact same dosing, lighting, substrate and basically the same plants.
What do you think is the most important element of the planted tank and why?
I think it is a contstant source of carbon from either CO2 injection or the use of Excel. I have tried both and while using DIY CO2, I had spuratic growth at best and I was never able to get the rate of growth I get from using Excel. Just like DIY CO2, when my levels weren't constant I got BBA or staghorn. If I miss a day or two of Excel dosing I get staghorn back again and have to fight it with regular dosing and spot treatments. Of course you need descent lighting and a good dosing regiment but once you have that, a regular and constant source of carbon will give you better growth than getting more light or a better substrate. That is how it works for me anyway.
Save the debate for later, these are facts based on our own experience and I know that there is a lot of members who can not get certain things to work for them that others can. For me, DIY CO2 was a major bust so I switched to Excel, some may not have much luck with Excel but have great success with DIY CO2. With the success I have had in one tank, the same is not true in a tank right beside it with the exact same dosing, lighting, substrate and basically the same plants.