Flourish Excel™ is an organic carbon source designed to aid plants in their photosynthetic process. While plants typically use CO2 to generate photosynthetic intermediates (compounds like ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate, which are crucial for photosynthesis), Flourish Excel™ provides these intermediates directly in a form that plants can easily utilize. This product is beneficial for plants that require additional carbon, particularly in scenarios where CO2 injection might lead to dangerously low pH levels in the water.

The key benefits of Flourish Excel™ include:

1. Direct Carbon Supply: Instead of relying solely on CO2, which plants normally convert into photosynthetic intermediates, Flourish Excel™ offers pre-formed organic carbon compounds that bypass the CO2 conversion process. This can speed up plant growth and improve overall health, especially when CO2 levels are a concern.
2. Iron Reduction: Flourish Excel™ has iron-reducing properties, which help convert ferric iron (Fe+3), a less usable form, into the ferrous state (Fe+2), which plants can more easily absorb and utilize. This is especially important for promoting healthy plant growth, as iron is an essential nutrient for plants.
3. Flexible Usage: Flourish Excel™ can be used alone or in conjunction with CO2 injection, providing flexibility in managing the carbon levels in your aquarium or plant setup. This is particularly useful in maintaining balanced conditions, especially when CO2 injection alone may cause pH fluctuations.
4. Support for Photosynthesis: The structural similarity between the compounds in Flourish Excel™ and photosynthetic intermediates means that plants can incorporate them into their metabolic processes, boosting the efficiency of photosynthesis without the direct need for CO2.

In summary, Flourish Excel™ serves as an additional or alternative source of bioavailable organic carbon for plants, supporting their growth and overall health in a way that complements or supplements CO2 injection systems. Its benefits are particularly useful when controlling pH levels and ensuring adequate iron availability.