Top 5 Best CO2 Diffuser for Aquarium Plants

1. JARDLI Pollen Glass CO2 Diffuser - Great Addition To Your Planted Tank

2. Pm0606 Micro CO2 Bubble Diffuser Air Stone - easy to maintain

3. fibst CO2 Diffu​​sers - easy to clean

4. JARDLI Pollen Glass CO2 Diffuse with bubble counter - Has Built in bubble counter

5. yagote CO2 Glass ​​Diffuser - high performance

What Is A co2 Diffuser And What Does It Do?

A co2 diffuser is, as the name suggests, responsible for moving carbon dioxide throughout your tank. It helps disperse the co2 evenly and thoroughly instead of concentrating it all on a single area. You can see the process happening as bubbles begin rising from the diffuser.

This is a relatively important piece of equipment in every tank. If your tank has too much co2 in it, you could potentially suffocate your fish and plants. A lack of oxygen can be disastrous.

A high-quality co2 diffuser will inject small bubbles instead of large pockets of co2. Large bubbles do not diffuse as well as smaller bubbles do. The gas in your water gets distributed when it comes in contact with another surface.

That means a smaller stream of bubbles is going to be more effective than larger bubbles. Small streams release a far higher amount of gas into the system, which means they’re more likely to be absorbed by the water.

Diffusers are constructed from a wide range of materials. Some are plastic; some are ceramic, then others are glass or even stainless steel. The sizes and shapes vary from model to model, and some resemble tubes, while others have a more decorative design.

The method used to diffuse the gas bubbles also varies from model to model. Some models utilize spiral tubes to help control the flow of co2 bubbles while others release the bubbles in a solid row.

Some models will use porous stones to help diffuse the bubbles, while others use reactors. For rocks, the bubbles will break up into smaller particles, making them easier to be absorbed by the water around them. Reactors, on the other hand, will agitate the water while injecting co2 into it and then pushing the water throughout your tank.

Some models are shaped like a bell. These hold the carbon dioxide under the bell until the gas begins to release gradually.

There are two main types of diffusers: underwater and external. Underwater diffusers are designed to be submerged in the water while external diffusers are made to be used outside of the tank.

What Aquariums Benefit From Using A co2 Diffuser?

If you have any plants in your aquarium, you will usually need to use a co2 diffuser to keep them alive. Plants will use up extra carbon dioxide that is available and increasing the amount they have to process helps speed up their photosynthesis.

Adding carbon dioxide can be useful in nearly every aquarium, though. You have to remember that your tank is a closed environment. That means everything exists inside of a small ecosystem, and what doesn’t get replaced quickly gets reduced.

When your plants have the co2, they need your fish will thrive, as well. Your plants will add more oxygen to your water which helps your fish growth. Plants will also pull nutrients from your substrate, such as waste from your fish. This waste can be detrimental to your tank’s health if it is allowed to build up to harmful levels.

Increasing the levels of co2 in the tank helps plants grow faster than they would in a tank that isn’t being supplemented. This increased growth helps your plants act as natural filters, taking some of the load off your artificial screen.

Plants also play a significant role in helping to control algae blooms. Even though most people believe algae is a plant, rather than a fungus, they need carbon dioxide to survive. If your plants are absorbing the majority of available co2, the algae don’t get a chance to thrive.

Algae are, for all intents and purposes, a much stronger, hardier version of a plant. When the bloom is allowed to grow unfettered, it can quickly overtake your entire aquarium. This creates a nightmare situation no tank owner wants to deal with.

If your plants are kept strong and healthy through supplemented co2 gas, the plants can help fight the algae bloom and keep your water crystal clear. Dying plants also release nitrogen and ammonia, which can be just as harmful to your fish as an algae bloom that is out of control.

What Other Equipment Is A co2 Diffuser Used With?

A good co2 diffuser is usually part of a more extensive, more comprehensive system. Some other parts of the system are mandatory, while others are considered accessories. Then, some are deemed useful enough to have.

1.  CO2 Regulator

A co2 regulator will help you control the carbon dioxide levels inside of your tank. Because co2 is odorless and colorless, using a regulator is a requirement. You can’t play the guessing game with a gas that can be dangerous at high levels. It could potentially kill your plants and fish.

Regulators typically come with two gauges, one for high pressure and one for low pressure. The low-pressure gauge helps determine the force of co2 gas being released into the tank. The high-pressure gauge tells you how much of the gas is left inside of your cylinder.

When the arrow on your high-pressure gauge begins to point to red, you know you are running low on the gas.

Your regulator will also have a needle valve that helps you control the pressures. Different regulators will have some valves that are simple and straightforward to operate while others will be more complex to dial in. Some regulators will allow you to control the number of bubbles being released.

 A built-in check valve is a requirement, as well. The valve helps prevent water from making its way back into the regulator, which could damage the equipment.



2. Bubble Counter

A bubble counter isn’t always a necessity, but you may want to add one to your tank. The counters help you visually see the level of carbon dioxide entering into your system.

This isn’t only interesting to see, but it can also help you closely monitor the flow of gas. If your gas levels are getting too high, as displayed on the counter, you can close the valve on your regulator to limit the flow of gas.

3. Cylinder

Cylinders are where your compressed co2 gas is stored before being released into the tank.

The cylinders range from small, to medium, and large for bigger tanks. Small cylinders will usually hold around 20 ounces of gas and are most commonly referred to as “paintball tanks.”

Larger tanks can hold upwards of 5 pounds of gas or more.

It’s worth noting that a cylinder is not a reusable piece of equipment. Once the gas has been depleted, you will need to replace it with a new cylinder.

4. Tubes

   Tubes are an incredibly undervalued piece of your co2 diffuser system. Before you add tubes to the system, you want to ensure they are rated for co2 gas use. If they are not, the tubes could end up leaking or deteriorating.
   
   

5.  Drop Checker

A drop checker gives you a quick way to gauge the co2 levels inside of your tank. Most kits come with color-coded templates to help you understand where your levels are at.

 Drop checkers are critical and should be used in every setup. You must pay attention to what is happening inside of the ecosystem to maintain healthy levels of co2.



6. Solenoid Valve

Finally, a solenoid valve can make your life easier and isn’t always a requirement. The solenoid valve can help automate the process of regulating the level of carbon dioxide being diffused into your tank.

 To give you a quick example, if you want to lower the levels at night when plants and fish are more active, you can set the solenoid to reduce the amount being dispersed during the evening hours. This keeps you from having to remember to do it manually before you go to bed.

How Should I Choose A Good co2 Diffuser?

Before you purchase a new co2 diffuser, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider. Each of these factors is also what we’ve used to help determine what the “best” co2 diffusers are.

Co2 diffusers are essential to maintain life in your tank so you should be selective about the brand and model you choose. Making sure the diffuser you’re using is high-quality and saves you time is the name of the game.

1.  Quality

The quality of the product you’re buying is critical.

You want to avoid trying to skimp on price because low-price typically means low-quality. On the other end of the spectrum, a high price tag doesn’t always mean that you’re getting a higher quality piece of gear, either.

 Low-quality diffusers are known to leak, are hard to monitor and regulate, and end up causing more frustration than they’re worth.



2. Compatibility

If you already have a system you are using; you want to make sure that the co2 diffuser you purchase is going to be compatible with your existing equipment. Different diffusers have different inlet and outlet sizes, meaning your tubes will need to be changed.

Other times, specific models may not work well at lower or higher levels of co2 dispersion.

 You will also need to think about the future of your ecosystem. Are you going to be able to easily find replacement parts for the diffuser you are thinking about buying? Purchasing a reputable brand makes this part significantly easier down the line.



3. Accessories

Depending on the diffuser you purchase, you may need to buy extra accessories. If this is a brand new setup, purchasing a kit that includes everything you need can save you time and money down the road.

 On top of this, it’s always a better feeling to receive everything you need instead of being forced to piece together a system that may not function properly.



4. Appearance

If you are trying to build a thriving ecosystem that also looks great, visually, you will want a diffuser that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

 A functional diffuser can look good. Think about how the look of the diffuser you are thinking about buying will fit into the decorative flair you already have. You don’t want it to be a sight for sore eyes.

Tips For Installing Your co2 Diffuser

You would think, at first glance, that all you need to do is install your co2 diffuser inside of your tank and then you’re good to go, right?

Once you start installing it, though, you’re going to realize it is easier said than done quickly.

No two aquariums are the same, and no two installations are the same. There are certain areas where you would not want to place a co2 diffuser.

For instance, you never want to bury the diffuser underneath your substrate. You might be tempted to try hiding it, but you’ll end up defeating the purpose of it being in your tank.

Your substrate, rocks, and sand will block the co2 from correctly entering into the tank. The bubbles generated will not be able to make it past the substrate.

This means that the bubbles will congregate under the surface of the substrate until they grow large enough to be expelled. This can blow your substrate around the tank and cause your filter to clog.

On the same token, you should avoid installing the diffuser anywhere that it could get blocked. For instance, you are hiding it underneath decorative items or rocks where the flow of bubbles could be interrupted.

You also shouldn’t install the diffuser directly in the middle of a clump of plants. Even though you’re trying to give the plants what they need, your plants will block the diffuser from being able to do its job correctly.

This is especially true if you have thick underwater plantlife. Carbon dioxide bubbles will begin to gather instead of dispersing, just like they would if you buried the diffuser under your substrate.

Avoid mounting the diffuser too high into the tank. The carbon dioxide bubbles will reach the surface too quickly, effectively eliminating the co2 diffuser’s purpose.

The best place to install your diffuser is an area in your tank that has a consistent flow of water movement. This helps disperse the bubbles throughout the tank, instead of letting them collect.

If you’re not utilizing a powerhead or a wavemaker, you can install the diffuser next to your pump’s return outlet.

The goal during your installation should be to install the diffuser near the bottom of an area that gets adequate water flow, so the bubbles disperse throughout as much of the tank as possible.

So What’s The Best co2 Diffuser In 2019?

By far, the best co2 diffuser available in 2019 is the JARDLI Po​​llen Glass CO2 Diffuser. It not only looks great but functions flawlessly in a wide range of ecosystems.

If you are looking for the best of the best, JARDLI has long been known for producing only the highest-quality components for both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.