Carbon Dioxide Supply without Gas Bottles
The Zac Carbo Plus consists of an electronic controller which is fitted outside of the aquarium, and a Stainless Steel and Carbon Sandwich which sits in the water.
Guarantee : 2 years on the control unit, 6 months on the sandwich
Please note : the carbon plate is considered a "Consumable Item" by the manufacturer and is therefore not covered under any granted guarantee
Installation Instructions
The Carbo Plus unit must be securely fastened with the
supplied bracket next to or under the aquarium. For use in ponds, the appliance
may only be fitted in dry rooms. Simply connect the carbon plate assembly to the
right-hand jack on the controller and put the plug of the electronic controller
in the mains socket. Fasten the carbon plate assembly with the suckers to the
position that you want, standing or lying in your aquarium. Do not bury in the
aquarium substrate. If you use a pH meter, submerge the electrode as far away as
possible from the Carbo.
With the carbon plate submerged as deep as possible, adjust the CO2 supply with
the control knob (0 = off). Each of the LED's corresponds to approximately 10%
output. We also recommend testing carbonate hardness regularly. Furthermore, a
weekly partial water change of approximately 20 - 25% is also important for
constant carbonate hardness. On using for the first time or with a new carbon,
please use the lowest setting, as the carbon is very reactive in the beginning.
IMPORTANT: By generating carbon dioxide, you lower the pH of the water. You should therfore start with the lower level and increase output daily by no more than one graduation mark.
When the appliance is working, it generates very fine gas bubbles which rise upwards. a whitish limescale deposit settles on the stainless steel clip. This is normal and the thickness of the deposit depends on carbonate hardness. This deposit should be removed regularly.
Experience shows that for a 240 litre aquarium, one carbon plate is sufficient for 2 months under maximum load. Ideally you can control the lighting and Carbo Plus using a timer (switched off at night). In this way you can double the service life of the carbon plate.
IMPORTANT: The appliance can only operate in fresh water. Once the carbon plate has been in contact with water, it may not be allowed to dry out: it must be kept wet (with water in a plastic bag or similar).
How it works
Water is converted into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis. The hydrogen rises up and the oxygen combines with the carbon in the carbon plate to form carbon dioxide, most of which dissolves immediately.
Caution: When connecting up a new carbon plate or using the appliance for the first time, please use a low setting because the carbon plate is very reactive in the beginning.
Changing the carbon plate
The red LED lights up when the CO2 carbon plate has been used up, if no other plate is connected or if the plate is not submerged properly. To change the carbon plate, simply take the stainless steel clip out and then the carbon plate. The material may possibly have become brittle and may crumble into pieces. Every replacement carbon plate is accompanied by a new contact plate, which may also have to be replaced in the case of oxidation.
Position the new plate at the opening of the upper silicon cap. Now put the new carbon plate in the housing and close the stainless steel clips. A completely new carbon plate assembly may have to be connected up to the controller after 12 - 14 months because of the electrolysis process.
Technical Data
Input: 230 volts / 50Hz
Working voltage: 5.5 - 20V
Controller: 19.5cm x 10cm x 4.5cm
Sandwich: 21cm x 6cm x 2.5cm
Carbon plate: 18.5cm x 6cm x 0.8cm
CO2 per hour: 0.29g
CO2 quantity in 2 months: 420g
Power consumption: 2 - 22.5 watts