Let me start by saying this: Seachem Flourish Excel is a game-changer for planted tanks. After battling stubborn black beard algae (BBA) for months, this liquid carbon solution wiped it out in under two weeks. No more spot-treating with hydrogen peroxide like a mad scientist!

The Good Stuff: First, the algae control is unreal. BBA turned brown and died off completely, while green/fuzz algae visibly reduced. Second, my plants went wild—Amazon Swords tripled in size, and even finicky Dwarf Hairgrass thrived. Water lettuce got noticeably bushier within days.

Real Talk: It’s not magic—you’ll still see minor algae spots (nature finds a way), but Excel keeps them manageable. Pro tip: Use a turkey baster to spot-treat problem areas for extra oomph.

The Catch: At ~$20 per bottle, it’s pricier than DIY options, but cheaper than CO2 injection systems. For tanks under 75 gallons, it’s a no-brainer. Just don’t overdose—Anacharis plants prefer every-other-day dosing.

Final Verdict: 9/10. If you want lush plants without algae chaos (and aren’t ready for high-tech CO2), this is your MVP. My shrimp and fish party on like nothing’s changed—just with way prettier scenery.