Aquarium CO2 (carbon dioxide) is necessary for plant growth during photosynthesis. Most freshwater aquatic plants rely entirely on CO2 dissolved in the water. they can’t manage to get leaves above the surface, so it is hard to use CO2 in the air. However, this source of CO2 is quickly used up by aquarium plants .so that an automatic CO2 supply system is the most convenient and effective way to supply CO2 for aquatic plants.
How does CO2 supply system work?
if you are new to planted aquariums, Understanding exactly how a CO2 system works looks confusing at first. It requires some instruments, it seems really difficult to work with. Once you understand how and why it works, it will all make sense and greatly increase your success in growing aquatic plants.
The first thing is that all CO2 supply systems need a CO2 canister or CO2 cylinders. The CO2 is liquid at high pressure in the canister. So, to be able to get the CO2 to convert back into a gas safety, you must need to attach a CO2 gas regulator. The regulator reduces the pressure of the CO2 from the tank, converting it to gas form and release safely.
The CO2 gas through airline tubing to a diffuser inside your aquarium tank, The atomizer With Sucker (diffuser) converts the CO2 gas into tiny micro-bubbles. Those micro-bubbles are easily absorbed by the water, helping your plants to photosynthesis.
Co2 gas regulator components and accessories
So, you know CO2 gas source is necessary, like CO2 canister (cartridge),CO2 gas cylinder. And a regulator which gets the CO2 safely from the CO2 gas source. This section is going to talk about important components of a CO2 regulator, and how to install it properly to input the right amount of CO2 into your planted aquarium.ents of a CO2 regulator, and how to install it properly to input the right amount of CO2 into your planted aquarium
Cylinder pressure gauges
2 pressure gauge design, The high-pressure gauge indicates the pressure of CO2 gas inside the cylinder. It shows the amount of remaining CO2 inside the cylinder, so you could confirm when need to refill or replace it. The low- pressure shows the working pressure. It is a good guide for you.
Solenoid Valve
CO2 should be added into the aquarium in right flow, it will get your plants grow better. because the plants are not photosynthesizing all the time. so You have to open and close the Co2 supply manually, but that is really a lot of work and spend more time to do.
This is the solenoid valve comes into play. The solenoid is a magnetic device, when you plugged into a timer, it will either allow CO2 gas through when on or none when off. Essentially, it’s a kind of shut-off valve that can be controlled by a timer, saving you time and CO2.
2 type solenoid shows here
CO2 Needle Valve
After the solenoid valve is the Co2 needle valve. This valve could be adjusted (fine-tune) precisely the flow of CO2 into your aquarium. The CO2 regulator is there to control the pressure of CO2 coming out of the canister, and the needle valve just controls the flow rate (bubbles per second) of CO2.
Without the needle valve, a lot of CO2 is dumped into your aquarium tank, which would lead to oversaturation and the death of your aquarium inhabitants.
Bubble Counter
To be able to fine-tune the flow rate (bubble per second ), you will need a bubble counter. Generally, regulator manufacturers supply regulators with a bubble counter, if not you could add one between the hose and regulator.The bubble counter is a high-strength PC tube that you fill with 3/4 water, so you could count the CO2 bubbles. You adjust the needle valve to get the bubble per second rate to fit your aquarium.
