For bacteria and other microscopic organisms to assimilate Nitrogen and Phosphorus, Carbon is required to be available in adequate amounts.
With the increased efficiency of filtration systems, low and ultra-low nutrients aquariums are becoming more and more common. These systems are often Carbon depleted. If a system is carbon depleted will mean that “biological filtration” won’t happen as efficiently as it should and nutrients like NO3 and PO4 are likely to rise and become pollutants, unless other forms of filtration are employed.
Z-CarboPlus enhances the rate of microbial growth and reproduction and will improve biological filtration by allowing microscopic plankton and bacteria to consume Nitrate and Phosphate. These bacteria can then be exported via mechanical filtration or used as food by other organisms in our aquariums, like sponges, corals, clams, tunicates, etc.
Z-CarboPlus is a natural source of biologically safe carbon and replaces flammable sources like ethanol or vodka.
When starting dosing Z-CarboPlus we recommend starting with 1ml per 100l daily and increase as needed up to 3ml per 100l daily. Measure NO3 and PO4 frequently, with reliable test kits, as over time if they are present in the correct ratio (C 106:N 16:P 1) these should reduce towards the desired levels and ultimately to 0ppm (if nothing is done).
Once NO3 and PO4 reach the recommended levels reduce the dose to ensure the nutrients stay near those levels and don’t drop to 0ppm (our recommended levels are NO3 ~5ppm and PO4 ~0.04ppm).
If either NO3 or PO4 tends to 0 ppm, with the other above 0 ppm, your system has likely become limited by the depleted nutrient, in such event the existing nutrient will tend either not to reduce or to increase over time. Dose Z-NitroPlus or Z-PhosPlus to overcome this deficiency and optimise your “biological filtration”.
If you desire a system that is “heavy nutrient in and heavy nutrient out”, you can continue to dose the maximum daily dose of Z-CarboPlus, however you will likely have to dose Z-NitroPlus and Z-PhosPlus to ensure the correct nutrient ratio/levels.
Caution: Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.