Here I go: Thinking of starting CO2

Hello everyone! After going back and forth and even considering starting saltwater, I have decided to turn my new 37 gallon tank into a high-tech dwarf rainbow tank. I’m buying a fluval plant light and I’m going to start CO2. I have no idea what I’m doing as of now so this will be a very long research process. So far I have the following on my buy list-
UNS Pro Dual Stage CO2 Regulator

UNS CO2 Paintball Cylinder - 16 Oz.

Along with tubing, diffuser, and check valve.

Is there anything else I will need? Also are there ANY safety concerns? I’m away from home for 12 hour shifts sometimes and I have very inquisitive animals (dogs,cats) is there anything I need to do/know?
Also any tips are greatly appreciated or any resources on setting this up that I can read that are comprehensive. Thanks

 

The integrated solenoid valve requires a timer, so you can shut the system on and off.

Too much CO2 is dangerous to livestock.

This is a good/must read on CO2 injection and water surface agitation: Surface agitation & gaseous exchange in CO2 injected tanks

Most hobbyist use a drop checker. Again, I'm a dissident. I don't use one. I only have one tank with CO2 injection and I inject a lot less (very low bubble rate) than was is normally applied. And I keep light intensity very modest. I'm not after growth rates. I'm after healthy plants. Modest CO2 and dim lights is not common, but works very well.

The most tricky part is the diffusion of CO2 in the water. If you simply hang a diffusor in your tank, you'll notice the bubbles racing straight to the water surface. Not very efficient.

I use some sort of reactor. Look for "reactor - CO2 - planted tank" for more information on the internet. A reactor diffuses the CO2 before it enters your tank and is connected to a filter that shoots the CO2 rich water into your tank.

If you do apply a simple diffusor, have the diffusor very close to the inlet of your filter, so that the bubbles enter your filter.

 

The integrated solenoid valve requires a timer, so you can shut the system on and off.

Too much CO2 is dangerous to livestock.

This is a good/must read on CO2 injection and water surface agitation: Surface agitation & gaseous exchange in CO2 injected tanks

Most hobbyist use a drop checker. Again, I'm a dissident. I don't use one. I only have one tank with CO2 injection and I inject a lot less (very low bubble rate) than was is normally applied. And I keep light intensity very modest. I'm not after growth rates. I'm after healthy plants. Modest CO2 and dim lights is not common, but works very well.

The most tricky part is the diffusion of CO2 in the water. If you simply hang a diffusor in your tank, you'll notice the bubbles racing straight to the water surface. Not very efficient.

I use some sort of reactor. Look for "reactor - CO2 - planted tank" for more information on the internet. A reactor diffuses the CO2 before it enters your tank and is connected to a filter that shoots the CO2 rich water into your tank.

If you do apply a simple diffusor, have the diffusor very close to the inlet of your filter, so that the bubbles enter your filter.

Ok great thanks for the resources! That regulator supposedly has a drop checked and switch off integrated into it I’ll read more though to confirm. I didn’t think about how to diffuse it so I’ll have to read more into the reactor

 

The regulator that you linked has twin bubble counters, did you select that one on purpose? That would be necessary to service two tanks or two diffusers in one tank but otherwise a single bubble counter is all that is required. The regulator won’t switch off by itself. I just have mine plugged into a standard household timer. I have the diffuser located underneath the filter inlet.

I found that having a drop checker was helpful initially. I just adjusted the bubble count until the indicator fluid was light green. Although I don’t refer to it much anymore. After a couple of years I can tell just by looking at the bubble rate and observing plant and algae growth whether it needs adjusting.

 

The regulator that you linked has twin bubble counters, did you select that one on purpose? That would be necessary to service two tanks or two diffusers in one tank but otherwise a single bubble counter is all that is required. The regulator won’t switch off by itself. I just have mine plugged into a standard household timer. I have the diffuser located underneath the filter inlet.

I found that having a drop checker was helpful initially. I just adjusted the bubble count until the indicator fluid was light green. Although I don’t refer to it much anymore. After a couple of years I can tell just by looking at the bubble rate and observing plant and algae growth whether it needs adjusting.

No tbh that was the one Buce recommended so I just selected that one lol didn’t realize it had a double, I thought you could buy another one I didn’t see it already came like that. I may end up doing it anyway because when I move in a few months I might have multiple tanks running CO2 so might not be a bad idea. Ok I’ll for sure get a timer. I’m a ways away from starting this so that’s why I’m trying to see what I need and do research on it. I’ve always been afraid of CO2 but really jealous of tanks infusing CO2