Arup, this page from Union Carbide gives the basic chemistry of Gluteraldehyde. According to them an aqueous solution does not require stabilzers. As a disinfectant it becomes progressively less effective as it continuously interacts with bacterial cell walls.Its biocidal activity becomes progressively weaker and is neutralized in 7-14 days. But this does not alter its chemical structure; So, if it is not required for sterilization and is not subjected to very alkaline pH it should retain its basic chemical properties as a nutrient for plants indefinitely. What say you ?
Thanks Gopi for the info. It was actually me speculating on the stability.
Arup the Flourish Excel that I have sent you today has the following recommended dosage:
Initial use or after > 40% water change - 5ml per 40 L.
thereafter 5ml per 200 L - Daily or every other day.
Dosing may be steadily increased for high growth aquariums.
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: Glutaraldehyde as a Co2 source?
arupch wrote:
Hi,
I've read that Seachem Excel uses Glutaraldehyde as a CO2 source. Glutaraldehyde is metabolised by microbes and under aerobic condition produces CO2 as end product. In addition to source of carbon glutaraldehyde is also an algaecide and also acts upon microbes.
Can anybody throw more light on this? And what is the concentration of glutaraldehyde in Seachem Excel?
Any input?
@gopi the links were part of my first post
Any aldehyde soln are fairly stable. also over a time of 7-14 days the glutaraldehyde is metabolised by aerobic / anaerobic bacteria to co2 or other compd like pentanedial. glutaraldehyde is structurally related to some intermediates in the photosynthesis process. so the plants use it readily as a carbon source. so the amount dosed in a day is probably such that it it is consumed by the plants within a day or so.
also any aldehyde can be readily deactivated by just adding sodium bisulphite to it. this makes it harmless and it is the recommended procedure for releasing aldehydes in effluent.
@madan
thanks. i'll try my best to crack the code.
Arup, Ordinary post is quicker than speed post to Kolkatta. One letter I sent by speed post took 4 days to reach.
In case you need more let me know. I couldn't find a larger container readily that's why I sent just that 20 - 25 ml as you asked.
Everyone is eagerly awaiting the results..... It expands possibilities.
I was discussing this with some friends in Singapore..... they were not Liquid CO2 fans, but the advantage/uses I have in mind for example.... growing some rare, expensive plants, of which we can just about afford a stalk or 2, in a nano species setup to increase the numbers available for transfer to the main planted tank is one of the advantages, that got their attention.
Flourish Excel contains 1.5% Glutaraldehyde. It may also contain other ingredients but thats too complex to analyse - needs mass spectrometer and HPLC which are out of reach of mine at present.
I'm thinking of starting a small tank (2/3 gallon) with some livebearers and plants as experimental setup.
What all you think?
Last edited by arupch on Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
Here's an extract from the MSDS of Flourish Excel from Seachem.
/ParaGuard, HealthGuard , Pond HealthGuard, *Flourish Excel*,
StressGuard [NFPA 1,0,1]:
*Principal ingredient is glutaraldehyde *with ameliorating
ingredients, pH 7. ParaGuard also contains malachite green.
Malachite green is a
possible carcinogen. Ingestion may cause severe gastric disturbance.
May cause moderate irritation of mouth. If ingested, drink large
quantities of milk or water. Universal antidote (charcoal) is
useful. If enough is swallowed to cause distress, seek medical
attention. Eye
contact will cause severe irritation. Flush eyes copiously with
water. Seek medical attention./
started adding 1.5% Glutaraldehyde (diluted 30ml of 25% Glutaraldehyde to 500 ml) to a 15G tank @ 5ml/15G. This dose is slightly lower than the Seachem recommended dose (5ml Excel / 40Ltr water).
Adding for 2 days .
No adverse effects on the inhabitants. They are happy and active as before. Eating well.
No effect yet on plants (not supposed to be). However, the tank had a bit of algae which seems to be lessened a bit.
tank is doing well. no problem so far . fishes are happy too. a few plants started producing new shoots. apart from Glutaraldehyde in the morning i'm also adding daily PMDD containing Pot. Nitrate/ Pot. Sulphate/ Sod Di Hydrogen phosphate. at night i'm adding Microsol B. no algae breakout so far. light is about 2.5W/G.
I have been using it in small tanks with Moss and fry. No mishaps.
Important thing is earlier these little tanks used to end up with a coating of brown algae on the glass in about a week's time. This is not happenning now. Moss and Java ferns are not dying. So it must help.
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