Replacement for CO2

[Glostik]

Is there a good replacement for a DIY CO2 setup?

I have heard that Flourish Excel is a good source of carbon for plants?

Anyone with any suggestions?

Im kinda scared to mess w. CO2 because of the effect it has on PH and KH and such.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

a lot of fish inside your tank maybe ? but i dont think it'l be enough if you have a lot of plants

 

[George Farmer]

IMO there's no better way to dose Carbon than via co2. Excel does work but it will be A LOT more expensive if you plan on growing plants in the long-term.

I wouldn't worry about pH crash unless you have a very low KH (less than 2 or 3 degrees or 30 - 60 ppm). Your fish will more likely suffer from co2 toxicity before the pH drops below a healthy level. Check out the various pH/KH/co2 tables on the net if you're not sure. Dosing using a DIY method is unlikely to produce too much co2, especially if you have a large tank.

HTH