DIY Co2 system

[Spencer1044]

Ok I tested the water everything was fine except for the ph. It totaly skyrocketed to 8.4 i did a 30% water changed and got it down to 7.8. I think the co2 raised the ph so i unhooked it.

 

[Fresh2o]

CO2 should actually lower the pH. I believe when it dissolves in water, carbonic acid is formed (I could be wrong...chemistry not my strong suit).

 

[rhsoto94]

I have a problem with my DIY co2 it doesn't stay running unless I shake em and only run for a few seconds. Does it isn't sealed well enough? I got silicone and sealed everything just now.

 

[Spencer1044]

You have to wait for it to build up pressure. Or add more yeast to formula and change it more often

 

[rhsoto94]

It's been running for 24hrs

 

[Spencer1044]

Ok so apparently Co2 does lower PH. If so why in the heck has mine only gone up who can make sense of this. My tank is defying the laws of nature O_O

 

[Spencer1044]

Here is the formula i use for 2 liters: 4 cups of water 4 cups of sugar and 3/8 teaspoon of yeast. Started in about 3 hours.

 

[pittbully13]

http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/diy-co2-recipe-duration-vs-intensity.html?m=1
Above link is the method/recipe I use for my diy co2. I found that if the yeast is bad/old it takes a lot longer to bulid enough pressure.

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[rhsoto94]

I'm using double 1 liter bottles with 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water and 1/4 teaspoon if yeast. Question does the third bottle need water in it? I saw a video that doesn't use water in it.

 

[pittbully13]

I only use two bottles. 1 reactor (cheap apple juice bottle from walmart $1.50, dont remember the size) and 1 bubble counter/over flow (20oz gatoraid bottle). I dont use silicone whatsoever to seal the caps. Just drill a small hole, slightly smaller than the diameter of the inside of the tubing. No leaks. What good about these bottles is that both caps fit on each others opening.

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[rhsoto94]

Do you have to put water in your over flow?

 

[Fresh2o]

Do you have to put water in your over flow?

Are you referring to the second bottle as in the pics in the previous post? You don't HAVE to but it serves as a bubble counter (lets you know the the CO2 is being generated) and hopefully prevent yeast from getting into the tank.
+1 in drilling a smaller hole than the tubing for a good seal.
I followed the same recipe posted above.

 

[rhsoto94]

Ok cool and for the second bottle does the tubing have to be in the water?

 

[pittbully13]

Yes water in the overflow about half or so the the tube coming from the reactor goes into the water in the overflow. Hope you can see.

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[rhsoto94]

Okay I think I got it. Side question does a sponge filter have an effect on co2 since it makes a lot of bubbles? And is a DIY co2 set up ok with shrimp?

 

[Fresh2o]

Okay I think I got it. Side question does a sponge filter have an effect on co2 since it makes a lot of bubbles? And is a DIY co2 set up ok with shrimp?

It might reduce the amount of CO2 dissolved in the water due to the surface agitation.
No sure. I have an Amano doing fine with CO2 and glut. Have not tried it with the cherry shrimp.

 

[rhsoto94]

I'm going to be adding blue pearls and see how it goes