CWC and EI combo, best approach?

I did exactly that-about 45% water daily change just before dosing and lights came on.


Increased the ferts to the next EI level to compensate for increased WC.


Got really nice results, water was extremely clear, 99% reduction in the little bit of algae I had, wood stayed perfectly clean and natural brown.


It took about 2 months for all that to happen.


But, around the same time, certain stem plants (e.g., AR, P. Erectus), Monte Carlo and Downoi seemed to stop growing and were slowing melting away.


I had never had trouble growing those plants before.


Thinking I needed to replace the carbon block, and wanting to see what was what, so, I went back to 1 a week WC.


Monte Carlo stated growing immediately, and returned to full growth. But the Downoi was still having big trouble--I was down to one plant left.


Make a long story short, I later realized that I had stopped using Excel about the same time as the daily WC.


Started using Excel again and the AR and Downoi started growing again.


So, I plan to replace my carbon block, go back to daily 50% AND continue to use Excel, to see what happens.


Please report back your experience in a month or two.