What Is Carbon Dosing and How Does It Help Your Reef Tank?
Carbon dosing is a method of adding dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to a reef aquarium. The benefits of carbon dosing include reducing nuisance algae growth, increasing coral growth, and improving water quality.
DOC is derived from decaying organic matter, such as leaves and wood. When added to a reef aquarium, it provides a food source for the bacteria that break it down. These bacteria are beneficial to the aquarium because they help to remove ammonia and nitrites from the water.
Carbon dosing can be done using a variety of methods, including adding a DOC-rich solution to the aquarium, using a media reactor, or adding a live rock with a high DOC content.