Did I screw up my DIY CO2????

[Feynman]

So, yesterday I put together my [acronym:bd76e0ffb5="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:bd76e0ffb5] [acronym:bd76e0ffb5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:bd76e0ffb5] system which includes a diffusor with powerhead and the [acronym:bd76e0ffb5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:bd76e0ffb5] comes from the yeast sugar mix in a 2 liter bottle.

This morning when I checked on it there was a pocket of air at the top of the bottle. I disturbed the bottle and all the air in the bottle left and went into the tank. So the bottle is now 100% full of water. I notice some water leaking out the top so apparently there wasn't a complete seal to start with. I unscrew the cap/hose and water comes siphoning out of the tube. I then reattach the system making sure there is a complete seal. The bottle still was 100% full of water when I left.

This is my first [acronym:bd76e0ffb5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:bd76e0ffb5] attempt so I have no idea what to expect. Did I screw up? Should there be a pocket of air in the bottle? How do I know when I'm producing [acronym:bd76e0ffb5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:bd76e0ffb5]?

THANKS!

[marcus russo]

I think the yeast will die off without any [acronym:bf9fd76e24="Oxygen"]o2[/acronym:bf9fd76e24]. Best bet just start a new batch

[czcz]

If bottle is below tank likely moving it forced back pressure/siphon of water from main tank. I would do a [acronym:fccfd46685="Partial water change"]PWC[/acronym:fccfd46685] in case the mix is in the tank. Wait a few minutes after making the mix to screw on the lid, to allow mix to cool and start producing. Consider a saftey bottle between the canister and the tank to avoid the problem in the future.

1. There should be a pocket of gas in the bottle. Don't fill it up with water (I fill just past where the label would be in my mix, [acronym:fccfd46685="For what its worth"]fwiw[/acronym:fccfd46685]).

2. You'll know you have [acronym:fccfd46685="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:fccfd46685] when you see the diffuser going. After a new mix, I sometimes see some yeast floating at the top and bubbling [acronym:fccfd46685="For what its worth"]fwiw[/acronym:fccfd46685]. This eventually goes away.

[travis simonson]

You might also consider a backflow prevention device like a check-valve. They only cost about $3 and will keep your tank from flowing back into the bottle although I've never used [acronym:2e99f68b4d="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:2e99f68b4d] [acronym:2e99f68b4d="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2e99f68b4d] and hesitate to recommend one with such a setup as I'm not sure what sort of positive pressure a [acronym:2e99f68b4d="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:2e99f68b4d] bottle can generate and it might hamper it. Just thought I'd throw it out as most (good) pressurized [acronym:2e99f68b4d="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2e99f68b4d] systems use them.

[black udder]

yeah, you can use the check valves, they work fine with [acronym:d890617a89="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:d890617a89]. I would agree with czcz, it sounds like the tank water siphoned back into your bottles. I have a check bottle in between and I had the same problem, it took a little while (overnight I think) before it was generating enough pressure to push the gas through. Since then it's been fine.

In the [acronym:d890617a89="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:d890617a89] sticky there's a link to a guide that shows how to include an extra bottle and check valves.

So, yesterday I put together my [acronym:34cb67bf76="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:34cb67bf76] [acronym:34cb67bf76="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:34cb67bf76] system which includes a diffusor with powerhead and the [acronym:34cb67bf76="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:34cb67bf76] comes from the yeast sugar mix in a 2 liter bottle.

I can't really envision this set up. a pic would be best, but if you can provide a detailed description, that would be helpful also.

Diy co2 in a 2 liter bottle is designed to be no more than 3/4 filled with the yeast mixture. Unhook yours NOW, and start the mix over. you don't wnat the yeast mixture getting into your tank.