3.5KG Cylinder Aquarium CO2 Kit

Why Inject CO2 Into Your Aquascape?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary building block for all aquatic plant life. While wild ecosystems enjoy an endless natural supply, home aquariums quickly deplete their available carbon. Supplementing your tank with a CO2 system unlocks:

• Vibrant Coloration: Promotes deep reds and lush greens in demanding aquatic plants.
• Thicker, Faster Growth: Accelerates carpet coverage and stem density.
• Natural Algae Control: Robust, healthy plant growth is your single best natural defense against nuisance algae

Start-Up & Operation:

Step 1: Cylinder & Regulator Assembly

• Check the Gasket: Ensure the rubber sealing washer/gasket is properly seated inside the regulator’s connection nut.
• Attach to Cylinder: Thread the regulator onto the W21.8 thread of your Luxfer 3.5KG cylinder.
• Tighten Securely: Tighten the connection securely by only using your hand. Avoid overtightening to protect the internal thread and gasket.

Step 2: Prepare the Bubble Counter

• Fill with Water: Unscrew the top cap of the bubble counter and fill the chamber about 2/3 full with clean water, then screw the cap back on tightly.
• Mount to Regulator: Firmly attach the bubble counter assembly to the regulator’s output port.

Step 3: Run the CO2 Lines

• Cut and Connect: Cut your Aqua Pro CO2 tubing to the required length. Connect one end to the bubble counter output.
• Connect Diffuser: Connect the other end of the tubing to the selected diffuser (In-Tank or External Inline).
• Install Check Valve: Make a cut in the middle of your CO2 line and push the tubing onto the CO2 Check Valve. Ensure the arrow printed on the check valve points toward your aquarium (the direction of airflow).

Step 4: Start-Up & Tuning

1. Ensure the regulator’s fine-tuning dial is completely closed (turned OFF).
2. Plug in/power on the electronic solenoid valve (Power ON = CO2 Flowing).
3. Slowly open the main hand valve on top of the Luxfer 3.5KG cylinder until your input pressure gauge shows the cylinder pressure.
4. Gently turn the regulator’s fine-tuning output dial until you see bubbles starting to rise through the bubble counter. This is where you can set your CO2 bps output.
5. Wait 5–10 minutes for the working system pressure to fully stabilize before making final adjustments to your desired bubbles-per-second.

How to Automate Your CO2 Schedule:

Plants only consume CO2 when the lights are on. To prevent stressing your fish at night, you should automate your system:

• Option A (Standard Solenoid): Plug the 12V solenoid valve into an app-controlled timer or a traditional wall plug timer. (purchased separately).
• Option B (Motor-Driven Solenoid): Program your daily schedule directly via its own integrated inline timer.

The Schedule: Set your timer to turn the CO2 ON 1 hour before your aquarium lights turn on, and OFF 1 hour before the lights turn off.

Aquarium CO2 System Comparison Table

• High-Tech Setups: The chart below assumes medium-to-high plant density and high lighting requiring a standard 30 ppm saturation.
• Low-Tech Setups: Systems with lower lighting and slower plant growth require less CO2 injection. Lowering your dosage for these tanks will drastically improve the lifespan of your CO2 cylinders or cartridges!

Kiwi Aqua offers a wide range of CO2 systems suitable for aquascapes of all sizes. We are New Zealand’s premier Aquarium CO2 Specialists, dedicated to providing excellent product and convenience for your CO2 needs.