Description
Seachem Flourish Excel is a source of bioavailable organic carbon that can be used as an alternative to CO2 injection or in addition to it. It introduces photosynthetic intermediates which can be used by plants to build carbon chains. It can be dosed slowly in high-growth aquariums or used on initial use or after a major (> 40%) water change.
Seachem Flourish Excel
- Bioavailable organic carbon source for the planted aquarium
- Use as an alternative to CO2 injection or in addition to it
- Introduces photosynthetic intermediates
Seachem Flourish Excel is a source of bioavailable organic carbon. All plants require a source of carbon. This is typically obtained from CO2, but, may also be derived from simple organic compounds (such as photosynthetic intermediates). The use of either CO2Â injection or Flourish Excelâ„¢ does not necessarily negate the use of the other. Because the processes of producing photosynthetic intermediates and building onto them occur simultaneously, one can derive a substantial benefit with the use of Flourish Excelâ„¢ either alone or in conjunction with CO2Â . The combination is particularly ideal for situations when continuing to add CO2Â could result in dangerously low pH levels. Flourish Excelâ„¢ also has iron reducing properties which promote the ferrous state of iron (Fe+2), which is more easily utilized by plants than ferric iron (Fe+3).
Why It's Different
The reason plants need CO2Â is to produce longer chain carbon compounds also known as photosynthetic intermediates. Photosynthetic intermediates includes compounds such as ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate, and 2-carboxy-3-keto-D-arabinitol 1,5 bisphosphate. Although the names are complicated, the structures are quite simple (5 carbon chains). Flourish Excelâ„¢ does not contain these specific compounds per se, but one that is quite similar. By dosing with Flourish Excelâ„¢ you bypass the involvement of CO2Â and introduce the already finished, structurally similar compounds. It is in its structural similarity that Flourish Excelâ„¢ is able to be utilized in the carbon chain building process of photosynthesis. Simple chemical or enzymatic steps can easily convert it to any one to any one of the above named compounds (or a variety of others).
Directions
On initial use or after a major (> 40%) water change, use 1 capful (5 mL) for every 40 L (10 gallons*). Thereafter use 1 capful for every 200 L (50 gallons*) daily or every other day. Dosing may be slowly increased in high-growth aquariums. For smaller dosing please note that each cap thread is approximately 1 mL.