CO2 System | aquaneo

CO2 Supply In Planted Tanks

Supplying Carbon Dioxide, CO2 is essential to keep water plants flourish and keep them away from algae's threat. One of the most efficient and easy way to supply CO2 to aquarium is using cylindrical CO2 system.

Different sizes of CO2 tanks made out of different materials

1L Aluminium

Cylinder

4L Steel

Cylinder

Ista Disposable Cylinder

Choosing CO2 system is important when you plan to start a planted aquarium. So first, let's discuss the pros and cons of different types of cylinders.

1) Disposable CO2 Cylinder

Disposable CO2 is one of the most popular option for newbies, probably because it's cheap, light weigh, and it's small in size make it look good when place beside their small tanks. (At least better than other bulky large size of CO2 tanks that we'll discuss later.

However, it'll not be a wise choice for long term as most of these disposable cylinder doesn't last for a long time, and once a catridge is finished, you'll have to get a new catridge, which is not really environmental friendly. Also, most of these cylinder doesn't fit into a refillable CO2 cylinder which means you'll have to replace your regulator as well when you wanted to upgrade your CO2 tank.

2) Steel CO2 Cylinder

Steel type CO2 cylinder is mostly refillable which make it more environmental friendly compare to the disposable ones. This type of cylinder often come with larger size compare to disposable ones so one of the cylinder will last for sometimes depend on your aquarium size and the CO2 output.

However, steel type of CO2 cylinder is often bulky and make it very difficult to carry especially when you get a 2L or larger tank, and may rust after some time. But it will still be a good choice if you're looking for a budget CO2 tank and don't mind it's heavy weigh when bringing it to refill.

3) Aluminium CO2 Cylinder

Aluminium cylinder is not widely accepted when it was first introduced, probably because of it's expensive price compare to two other types of cylinder. But it's now slowly accepted by planted aquarium keepers because it doesn't rust, has lots of different sizes suit for different size of planted tanks, and it's light weigh make it easy to carry around when you need to look for a refill service.

The only drawback of aluminium cylinder? It's the price of the cylinder, but it is always a good investment for long term.

So we're done discussing the cylinder, let's move forward to another important piece of CO2 system, the regulators.

Basically, there are 2 types of regulator

1) Solenoid Regulator

Intense Solenoid Regulator UP Aqua Solenoid Regulator

Solenoid is more preferable for most of the planted aquarium keepers as it help user a alot. By using a solenoid regulator in conjunction with timer, it'll turn on/off automatically together with aquarium light.

The only drawback of this type of regulator is they're often 3-5 times more expensive than a manual regulator.

2) Manual Regulator

UP Aqua Omnibus Regulator Leilih Manual Regulator

Manual regulator will be a preferable solution for those who have a tight budget. Although it's not as reliable as a solenoid regulator and require user to on/off CO2 supply daily, but it still get the job done.

After all, at the price of 3-5 times lesser than a solenoid regulator, there's nothing much to complain about.

After discuss about tank and regulator, let's move on to other accessories that you'll need.

1) Bubble Counter

A bubble counter allows user to count the amount of CO2 injected into aquarium

UP Aqua Bubble Counter Intense Bubble Counter

Integrated with Check Valve

2) Check Valve

Check Valve prevents backflow of water into CO2 cylinder when CO2 shut down

Intense Check Valve

3) Diffuser

One of the most important part in a CO2 system which decides how well CO2 distribute throughout the tank. Without a proper CO2 diffuser, most of the CO2 will not diffuse into water and affect growth of plants.

Intense Bazooka Diffuser UP Aqua Diffuser Intense Inline Diffuser / Atomizer

4) Air Tube

Air tube will pass the gas from regulator to diffuser

Pressure Resistant PU Tube Soft Silicone Tube

5) Long Term Monitor/Checker

Long term monitor is highly recommended for beginners who doesn't know how much CO2 is necessary when they purchase a CO2 system.

Blue colour indicates that CO2 is insufficient in the tank, yellow colour indicates that CO2 in the tank is too much, while light green colour means CO2 is sufficient in the tank.

While some of the instruction will instruct user to use water from aquarium to fill in the monitor, we recommend user to fill it with RO water that has been adjusted to 3-4dkH, because we don't know what may be in our aquarium water which may end up affecting the colour in the monitor.