If you’re looking for a good CO2 system for your aquarium, look no further. Let’s take a closer look at the top five best CO2 systems for aquariums the market has to offer.
Best CO2 Systems for Aquariums
- ZRDR Co2 Generator System
- Clscea 1.3 L CO2 Cylinder Generator Kit
- FZONE 4 L Aquarium CO2 Generator System
- MagTool Aquarium CO2 Generator System
- Decdeal Aquarium CO2 Generator System Kit
Top 5 Best CO2 Systems for Aquariums: Reviews
Here we have 5 awesome CO2 systems for aquariums of all sizes, so let’s find out which is best for you.
1. ZRDR Co2 Generator System: Our Top Pick
- [Professional Factory]We are a manufacturer specializing in aquarium co2 systems. Our co2 generator...
- [Safety First]Automatic pressure relief valve, when the pressure of the inside co2 steel bottle...
Here is a great CO2 system for aquariums that comes with everything you need to get started. This includes a 304 stainless steel body that is safe, reliable, and resistant to high pressure. The unit also comes complete with a pressure relief valve, which helps to automatically release the pressure schedule a certain amount.
You then also get the solenoid valve, which comes complete with a timer, so it can be switched on and off without any kind of manual adjustment. You then also get a carbon dioxide gas pipe link port, as well as a bubbler that provides you with a real time display of air output to prevent the backflow of water.
There is also an air volume trimmer valve included that helps you adjust and control the volume of air dispensed, as well as a bottle pressure indicator. What is pretty cool is that you also get an atomizer so you can refine the bubbles and make them very easy to dissolve in the water and be absorbed by plants.
Keep in mind that the solenoid valve here is a 12 Volt model. As you can see, this unit comes complete with everything you need to keep your aquarium full of carbon dioxide so those plants can thrive.
Pros
- Reliable
- Durable
- Safe for fish
- Ideal for small to moderate size tanks
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Not ideal very large and heavily planted tanks
If you need a basic yet functional CO2 injection system for your aquarium, this is one of my favorite options of all.
2. Clscea 1.3 L CO2 Cylinder Generator Kit
- 【mini Body】Designed for small tank. Does not take up too much space! Quick plug design, makes...
- 【High Quality Accessories】Acrylic co2 diffuser(the disk can be replaced and the refining effect...
If you are looking for a CO2 system for relatively small aquariums, then this is one of the best options that I can recommend.
The smallest size is 1.3 liters, although there are also larger ones. Remember that this is a generation system, which means that you need to add certain amounts of citric acid, baking soda, and water at once. When mixed together, these three items will start creating carbon dioxide, which is then released by the rest of the unit.
Included with your purchase you get a stainless steel tank that can fit 1.3 liters, along with an automatic pressure release system in case it builds up too much pressure. You also get a bubble counter with a built-in check valve and much more. It really does come with everything you need to get started.
I also really appreciate the build quality of this unit, as it is very high quality and should last for quite some time. There is also an acrylic CO2 diffuser included that can be replaced with a much better one if necessary. Its small size also makes it ideal for relatively small tanks, because it doesn’t take up too much space.
Pros
- Small size is ideal for small tanks
- Affordable
- Durable build
- Great diffuser
- Totally safe
Cons
- Some minor issues with the solenoid
If you’re just looking for a small CO2 unit for your aquarium, then this is it.
3. FZONE 4 L Aquarium CO2 Generator System
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If what you need is a relatively large CO2 system for a pretty big aquarium, then this is a great option to consider. What you get here is a 4 liter stainless steel generator bottle, an OTS mini solenoid, 8 foot PU CO2-proof tubing complete with suction cups, a regulator, a diffuser set with a connector, a power adapter, and a funnel and measuring cup.
As you can see, it comes complete with everything you need to get started, besides the actual citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. What you might also like is that the CO2 flow rate is adjustable to as low as one bubble every five seconds, but it can also be turned up much higher, and this is thanks to the precision needle valve.
This product also comes with a safety valve that opens up automatically when the pressure is much higher than the allowed threshold, therefore preventing any ruptures from occurring. You of course also get a pressure indicator.
I personally really like the glass diffuser, as it’s one of the best models on the list today. Overall, I think that this is an absolutely fantastic CO2 system that works really well for large aquariums. It is, however also relatively expensive.
Pros
- Reliable build quality
- Durable design
- Ideal for large tanks
- Great adjustability
- Very safe
Cons
- Too big for small tanks
If you’ve got space to spare and are willing to make quite the investment, then this large CO2 system could be right for you.
4. MagTool Aquarium CO2 Generator System
- 2.5 Liter Capacity. Holds 300g-400g of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, aka baker soda powders.
- Professional CO2 Kit With All Accessories Needed For A Complete Setup! 4 Liter SUS304 stainless...
What you get here is a medium size 2.5 liter stainless steel tank that can hold up to 400 grams of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, which ends up producing a lot of carbon dioxide.
This is a professional kit that comes complete with all the accessories that you need to get started, which includes the bottle itself, a DC mini solenoid, regulator, precision needle valve, bubble counter, CO2 diffuser, CO2 graded tubing, plastic funnel, and a measuring cup.
Something that I personally really appreciate about the stainless steel is that it is with quality in mind, and it’s 1.5 millimeters thick that can sustain up to 1137 PSI. It does of course have a built-in safety valve just in case anything were to go wrong.
What you might also appreciate about this unit is that the solenoid itself runs on a very low voltage and generates virtually no heat, plus it is very quiet as well. As far as safety goes, this is by far one of my favorite options on the list today.
Pros
- Great price
- Everything included
- High-quality materials
- Safe and reliable
- Ideal for medium size aquariums
Cons
- Diffuser is not overly durable
If you’re looking for an all-in-one kit that comes in at a relatively low price, then this is likely the number one option I would recommend.
5. Decdeal Aquarium CO2 Generator System Kit
If you need a small CO2 system for a small aquarium, then this is one of my favorite options. Here, you can choose from one- and two-liter stainless steel bottles, with one being ideal for smaller tanks and the latter being ideal for medium sized tanks.
Included with your purchase is the stainless steel bottle, a pressure reducing valve, a bubble counter with a check valve, the pressure gauge, the safety child, the fine adjusting valve, a triple filter, 1.5 meters of tubing, two suction cups, and the owner’s manual.
Altogether, it comes with everything you need to get started, aside from the actual citric acid and baking soda themselves. These will have to be just separately.
Everything about this product is designed to be very safe, so as to not release too much CO2 into the fish tank. I personally really like how the flow rate of the CO2 and the bubbles can be finally adjusted. I also happen to like how everything here is designed to be fairly durable and long lasting. Its small size also means that it doesn’t take up too much space.
Pros
- Great for small tanks
- All-in-one kit
- Very low price
- Great durability
- Adjustable
- As safe as can be
Cons
- Not ideal for large tanks
If you need a very small CO2 system for a tank of a small to moderate size, then this is likely the option I’d recommend over all others.
CO2 Systems for Aquariums Buyers Guide: What To Look Out For
Let’s quickly go over some basic tips on how to choose the best CO2 systems for aquariums.
Tank Size
One of the most important considerations to keep in mind here is the size of the tank. This will determine how much CO2 can be held onto at once. As you can see, we covered options ranging from 1 liter all the way up to 4 liters. Always choose the size that is suitable for your needs.
Safety Valves
In my opinion, one of the most important considerations is to make sure that there is a high-quality safety valve included with the unit. The safety valve is important to release pressure in the event that too much builds up inside of the tank. This is a hugely important safety feature that you absolutely must have.
The Bubble Counter
You also want the unit in question to have a high-quality bubble counter that can accurately count how many bubbles are being released per second or per minute. This should come complete with a check valve, which together allows you to accurately gauge just how much CO2 your aquarium is getting. There should also be an adjustment valve available, which allows you to adjust the amount of bubbles you are releasing into the tank.
