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Necessity of CO2 fertilization: Often there is too little carbon dioxide in the water of the aquarium. However, CO2 is important for plant growth. The aquarium plants need CO2 for the photosynthesis.
This is how the green plants produce glucose, from which they can quickly form new cells. Belongs to oxygen, nitrogen and phosphate carbon dioxide therefore to the main chemical elements in water.
What is the CO2 night shut-off for?
The CO2 night shutdown switches the CO2 supply off at night. The lighting is also switched off during this time. Since the plants without light there is no photosynthesis operate, you need less CO2 in the tank at night.
Due to the night shutdown CO2 saved. In addition, an overdose cannot occur. Excessive accumulation of dissolved CO2 in the water is counterproductive.
Since the Plants stop growing at night, the C02 content in the water increases automatically without a night shutdown. Too much CO2 has a negative effect on the respiration of the fish and is therefore undesirable (in the case of a severe overdose).
Modules for purely equipping a night shut-off:
CO2 night shut-off and Bio CO2
For Bio CO2 is a CO2 night shut-off not suitable, since the Bio CO2 is not in a pressure-proof container. If you switch off Bio CO2 at night, it is created in the container pressure. There is therefore a risk that the container will burst under the pressure. A night shutdown is therefore only intended for CO2 compressed gas systems.
How does a CO2 night shutdown work?
The night shutdown is on magnetic valve coupled. When the solenoid valve is not connected to power, it remains closed. If electricity flows again, then opens yourself that valve automatically.
Then the CO2 flows through the valve into the CO2 diffuser and gets into the water. In principle, the CO2 system works like a timer. You can precisely set the times when the valve should be open.
How should one use the CO2 night shut-off?
It makes sense to set the CO2 night shut-off with the light using the same timer. This is the easiest way. Another good option is to close the solenoid valve an hour before the lights go out.
This gives the plants some time to absorb the CO2 before they go to sleep. As soon as the light is off, the CO2 is no longer used and is therefore useless.
Many plants close their flowers early in the evening. The leaves then absorb less CO2 towards the end of the lighting period. Therefore it is good to feed to throttle early in the evening.
However, you can also do that CO2 system an hour before the lights come on again, because the plants then have sufficient CO2 available immediately after waking up. Even if it is a bit cumbersome, it is worth switching the CO2 system separately from the lighting.
What are the differences in CO2 night shutdowns?
The function of the CO2 night shutdowns is the same. The differences are more in the quality and the processing. Some plants work more precise than other models.
This is often reflected Quality also reflected in the price. The models of well-known brands are also more expensive. However, since the CO2 systems come with gas bottles, you should not skimp on processing so that there are no risks.
Overall there is a surprise large selection of CO2 night shut-offs with different combinations. It is therefore worthwhile to obtain detailed information before buying and to think about which model best suits your own needs.
Simple CO2 night shut-off
This variant is a base model. The CO2 night shut-off comes with no additional function. She has the advantage that she relatively easy to set up is.
CO2 night shut-off with integrated non-return valve
In these models, a check valve built-in. This check valve is installed on the side from which water from the aquarium can flow back towards the CO2 bottle. The check valve therefore ensures more safety and protects also the sensitive solenoid valve.
If water in that magnetic valve reached, then it usually breaks. But you can also attach a non-return valve outside the CO2 system. These can be made of glass or acrylic glass.
Building it yourself can be a little cheaper than a model with extra functions. Of course, attaching a valve is more complex than buying a model with an integrated check valve directly. Everyone has to decide for themselves what they prefer.
CO2 night shut-off with fine needle valve
This function is quite practical because you can use the fine needle valve to Regulate the amount of CO2 can. On these models, the fine needle valve is directly connected to the CO2 night shut-off. You can also purchase the fine needle valve separately and retrofit it yourself.
CO2 night shut-off with check valve and fine needle valve
These models combine the CO2 night shut-off with check valve and fine needle valve. Because of this, they are very practical for aquarists who little time have. You don’t have to order many parts individually and then install them yourself.
CO2 night shutdown in a complete set
Complete sets are the luxury version. They consist of one check valve, a fine needle valve and a pressure reducer. This variant is very compact and space saving. The combination sometimes saves money.
Illuminated CO2 night shut-off
There are even CO2 systems that use one LED lighting are equipped. Because of the lighting you can Show in the cupboard recognize well. Also, the lighting looks nice.