The use of activated carbon has a single key benefit as part of the ZEOvit method and this is its effect of improving water clarity. The activated carbon source absorbs certain proteins in the water column and toxins released by corals. In so doing the water is left crystal clear allowing maximum light transmission to your corals and thus increasing the photosynthesis carried out within them. This results in each coral needing to carry fewer cells of zooxanthella which means the underlying (generally more vibrant) colour of the coral can be seen.

For maximum effect, the carbon should be kneaded on a daily basis and one of the best ways to achieve this is through placing the carbon (in a cloth bag) on top of the ZEOvit stones in your ZEOvit reactor. This means that every time you agitate the stones the carbon is also moved and cleansed.

Unfortunately, as the carbon source absorbs the proteins and toxins from the water its effect lessens. This means that it needs to be replaced in full every month or so to maintain maximum effect. The amount you should use is dependent on the water volume in your aquarium with the optimum being 1 litre of carbon (1 bag) per 1000 litres of water.