Review on 🌱 ZRDR CO2 Generator System with Dual Gauge Display and Automatic Pressure Relief Valve 2L Carbon Dioxide Supply for Plants and Aquarium, Stable Output by Traci Westhoff

I wanted to like it. During quarantine I had to find a way to inject CO2 into my heavily stocked 40 gallon water box while not releasing pressurized CO2 into the world. I first started with the Fluval 95g Co2 system which is just a joke. I checked them every few days and they are very expensive to keep in stock. You wouldn't cut it for a serious setup. So I did a little DIY research on the CO2 reaction. Having spent thousands on my aquarium and this hobby, I really didn't want to cheapen my setup with stacked 2 liter soda bottles on top of each other. (This tank is in my living room and is a show tank) so I found this product and bought citric acid and baking soda thanks to Revain. Fine.System came in the mail, I installed it yesterday, the instructions are just pictures and you need to follow some steps as there are no written instructions. Okay, I know enough about CO2 at the moment to understand that. It was nice that they sent extra o-rings etc but at first I thought they needed to be installed until I realized they are optional. My first major problem was the screw on the solenoid, the TV nut that attaches it to the needle valve was stuck. I couldn't get it to spin or fall on the needle valve it was supposed to screw to. Finally, after 30 minutes of fiddling (careful, because the electrical box for the solenoid is right there too and quite wobbly) I screwed it on. I made all the adjustments, made my reaction mixes and put the lid on. Everything seemed to be working properly until I noticed that the pressure on the gauges wasn't increasing. I heard a hiss and noticed CO2 leaking from the black cap on top. (Make sure it's fully closed) Okay, did the mix again, waited until the gauge was in the green zone, then turned it on and adjusted the needle valve. We've reached the correct BPS and disconnected. It seemed to work fine all day, I have a smart timer with Alexa so it turned itself off at 10pm. I noticed that even with the solenoid off, there was a bubble or 2 seconds leaking through the needle valve. I thought it was leftover and checked again at midnight before bed. Still leaking BPS or a little less. My tank is large and has a lot of oxygen flow so I wasn't worried about my fish being gassed overnight so I went to bed. Woke up today and the tank has ZERO pressure and no CO2 diffusion when I turn it on. This thing dumped all of its gas overnight through the solenoid that was supposed to shut it down. It also most likely leaked from somewhere else. Today I tried again but I am very unhappy that it is leaking. The leakage will stop if I close the needle valve all the way, but a magnet is the main thing I bought so I don't have to adjust the little valve day and night. The solenoid felt and looked cheap out of the box, it also gets so hot you'd think it would explode. Cheap equipment, which unfortunately did not make a very good first impression. I'll try to use it short term but it won't help long term and seems like a waste of money. A classic when the price looks too good. to be true, it is likely.