Seachem Flourish Excel

Flourish Excel™ – Bioavailable Organic Carbon for Aquatic Plants

Description

Flourish Excel™ is a source of bioavailable organic carbon, an essential element for plant growth. All plants require a source of carbon, typically obtained from CO2, but it can also be derived from simple organic compounds such as photosynthetic intermediates. The use of either CO2 injection or Flourish Excel™ does not necessarily negate the use of the other. As both processes of producing photosynthetic intermediates and building upon them occur simultaneously, substantial benefits can be gained by using Flourish Excel™ either alone or in conjunction with CO2. This combination is particularly ideal for situations where continuing to add CO2 could result in dangerously low pH levels.

Flourish Excel™ also has iron-reducing properties, promoting the ferrous state of iron (Fe+2), which is more easily utilised by plants than ferric iron (Fe+3).

How It Works

Plants need CO2 to produce longer chain carbon compounds, known as photosynthetic intermediates. These include compounds such as ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate and 2-carboxy-3-keto-D-arabinitol 1,5-bisphosphate. While the names are complex, the structures are relatively simple (5 carbon chains). Flourish Excel™ does not contain these specific compounds, but one that is structurally similar. By dosing with Flourish Excel™, you bypass the involvement of CO2 and introduce already finished, structurally similar compounds. This structural similarity allows Flourish Excel™ to be utilised in the carbon chain-building process of photosynthesis. Simple chemical or enzymatic steps can easily convert it into one of the above-mentioned compounds or others.

Key Benefits

• Provides bioavailable organic carbon to plants
• Supports photosynthesis by supplying compounds that are structurally similar to photosynthetic intermediates
• Can be used alone or in conjunction with CO2, especially when CO2 injection could lower pH to dangerous levels
• Iron-reducing properties promote the ferrous state of iron, which is more easily absorbed by plants

Usage Instructions

Flourish Excel™ should be dosed according to the needs of your aquatic plants. It can be used as a sole source of organic carbon or in combination with CO2 injection, especially in aquariums where CO2 injection alone could result in harmful drops in pH.