Estimating CO2 levels from pH and KH while using Flourish Excel

[fish4phil]

I'm getting more into planted tanks. Can you use the pH and KH chart to estimate CO2 while using Flourish Excel?

On Seachem's website, it states that Flourish Excel does not alter pH levels, do would using the pH and KH chart still work to estimate CO2 levels? If not, how can you know how much CO2 is in your tank?

 

[aqua_chem]

Excel will not change your pH, therefore you can still use the ph/KH/CO2 charts to measure CO2 independent of Excel levels.

That being said, those charts are easily thrown off by a number of things (driftwood, soil-based substrates, high stocking levels, etc) and can be less than reliable at time. I high recommend that you purchase a drop checker to directly measure your CO2.

 

[fish4phil]

That being said, those charts are easily thrown off by a number of things (driftwood, soil-based substrates, high stocking levels, etc) and can be less than reliable at time. I high recommend that you purchase a drop checker to directly measure your CO2.

All 3 of those I have/will have. Thanks for pointing that out - can you recommend a particular one? I've looked @ Amazon but all/both have very mixed reviews, including solution spilling into the tank.

EDIT:
Found this one (wish list)
http://greenleafaquariums.com/products/cal-aqua-pearl-drop-checker.html

And this one (thinking of buying) EDIT: Just purchased
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drop-Checker-CO2-pH-Test-Live-Aquarium-Plant-Diffuser-/250305624190

or this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ISTA-CO2-in...977?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232b076fa1

 

[Tobykourtney]

They all do the same thing. You might want to get one with a white background though so it's easier to read the colors.