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Recently after planting my first shipment of new plants in the tank, I have noticed what I think is a potassium deficientcy. I was going to add Flourish Potassium, but I also bought Flourish Excel. Which says its a form of carbon that the plants can readily, and easily use. Do I need to add Co2, or will just the addition of Flourish Excel be enough? I have a high light tank (4wpg) with Flourish substrate, and no CO2 right now. What should I do? I know Co2 pretty much pumps up the growth of your plants, but right now they are growing beautifully! My two anubias nana petite have grown two new leaves each, in the two weeks I have had them. And by Brazillian Pennyworts are growing at least a tier every two days. My light cycle right now is about eight hours a day, with a moonlight at night.

From what I've learned, with that much light, you will definitely want to do something for Co2

It's hard to keep algae away when you have that much light and your not adding co2 but if your content with how the plants are growing and there isn't much algae growing then there's no reason you have to add co2. Excel will help but can be expensive over time compared to using a co2 system and you will get more growth with co2 than with excel. It's mostly your decision and how happy you are with the tank.

Well it's early days. With that much light you need a complete dosing regime , including Co2 to avoid problems. They will come it's just a matter of when.

Excel will help but Co2 gas will be better. Regular additions of Nitrate, Phosphate and a good Liquid micro fert will be needed.

Your best bet at the moment is to reduce the lighting to 2 wpg. I guarantee you don't have any plants that need 4 wpg, because there are none that need that much light. Whatever you have will do fine in 2 wpg, it will slow growth down but will also avoid algae issues. A good trade off.

Run the lights for 10-12 hours. 8 is not enough.

To do my Spiderman impression, with great power comes great responsibility. That much light will make things more difficult, less room for mistakes etc. The light by itself is not enough, you also need to supply the full range of nutrient requirements the plants will need under that much light.

As I say your best option at the moment is to turn down the lights,(reduce the wattage, do NOT reduce the lenght iof time they are on) add the Excel, keep Nitrates at about 10ppm, phosphate at about 1ppm and a small dose of a good liquid fert (like Flourish) couple of times a week.

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