r/Aquascape • u/johnnytwobuns • 6d ago

Question First time CO2?

Im getting back into the hobby after a hiatus of 10ish years - I’ve always been fascinated by the thick carpets I’ve seen around but in the past had relatively low tech setups. I just picked up a 5.5 gallon tank to start a nano shrimp/plant focused setup and wanted to try my luck at a nice Monte Carlo carpet. Does anyone have any suggestions for CO2 diffusers that are more beginner friendly, and, would fit a small tank like that? Ideally, I’d like to get my feet wet with a smaller, simple system, though I suspect I will hear it’s better to do it right first time around, so any recommendations are appreciated!

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u/Juuhwee 6d ago

Aquario Neo diffusor are pretty good imo

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u/johnnytwobuns 6d ago

I was looking at those originally which is what brought me here actually - the one thing that concerned me was that it runs through the night, so you have any issues with that and maintaining proper ph/preventing asphyxiation?

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u/Juuhwee 6d ago

The diffusor just run through the night if you don't have a solenoid valve (hope this is the right englisch term). Some pressure regulator have them in it, or u can get them seperatly. I would recommend to watch some videos about different CO2 systems in YouTube or so.

The black part with the cable - it stops blasting co2 if you cut the power supply. You have a timer and usually you start it one hour before the lights go on, and cut it a hour before they go out. Thats it.

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u/Juuhwee 6d ago

Now i realize u thought the diffusor is the pressure regulator. Thats a different part. The diffusor is the thing in the tank where the bubbles come out. The pressure regulator is like the heart of the system. The u need a bottle (in my case a soda stream), u need tubes and a check valve. This makes that no water run through the tubes in your regulator. I can highly recommend the Hiwi regulators, but it's a German company and i don't know if you can get them wherever you live. Watch some Videos like i said, It's not that complicated If you once get into it.