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Movement

Models: Tunze Turbelle, Aqua Medic Performa, Jebao (budget-friendly), Gyre Flow (ideal for reef tanks)

Alternating Current (Wave Mode): Natural corals are exposed to bidirectional current → programmable pumps with wave mode mimic this better than a constant unidirectional current.

CO2 SYSTEMS

Pressure system (the most efficient)

Components:

  1. CO2 cylinder (500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg...) — refillable
  2. Two-stage regulator with solenoid: controls pressure and flow rate; the solenoid automatically shuts it off
  3. Bubble counter: measures flow rate (1–2 bubbles per second for small aquariums)
  4. Diffuser: disperses CO2 into very fine bubbles to maximize absorption
  5. Check valve: prevents water from entering the regulator
  6. Drop Checker + Indicator Solution: Visual Monitoring of CO2 in Water

Safety: Connect the solenoid to the light timer → CO2 is injected only when the light is on; at night, it turns off (plants do not photosynthesize at night, and CO2 lowers O2 levels).

Liquid CO2 (Excel, Easy Carbo)

  • It is not gaseous CO2 → it is diluted glutaraldehyde (biocide + carbon source)
  • Effective for plants but kills or damages live algae, Vallisneria, and some mosses if overdosed
  • Good for aquariums without pressurized CO2 or as a supplement
  • Option for small/nano aquariums

REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO/DI)

Why use it?

Tap water contains: chlorine, chloramines, nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals, fluoride, medications, pesticides... A reverse osmosis membrane removes 95–99% of these substances.

Ideal for:

  • Caridina Shrimp (require ultra-pure water)
  • Coral reef
  • Amazonian biotope (very soft, acidic water)
  • Any aquarium, if the tap water is of poor quality