DIY CO2 failing

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flushingfish

Aquarium Advice Freak
Joined
Oct 8, 2006
Messages
270
Location
flushing, ny
I set up my DIY CO2 2 nights ago. I have 2- 2 liter bottles rigged together going into a T connection from the T I ahve a check valve to prevent any backflow. The airline is run into the intake of my HOB filter.
My recipe for the CO2 is
2 cup of sugar
1 TBS molasses
1/4 teaspoon yeast

per bottle. I checked temperatures and proofed the yeast before putting it into the bottles. Sugar was dissolved in the water and molasses and added to the bottles at 80F. Last night I had some foaming but it never built enough pressure to start expelling CO2.
This morning I see no foaming.
I also have installed before the T valve a 2way adjustable valve that is typically used on air pumps to adjust flow. I put this in because I thought it would help regulate pressure in the bottles and keep a positive flow.

So I guess my question, given all the above info, is why isn't it working? Did I miss something? I know how to treat yeast and how to proof it and make sure it's alive so I don't get it?
 
If there are no bubbles but the bottles are under pressure (squeeze test), you have a check valve in backwards (something's gonna blow!).

If there is no pressure on the system whatsoever, you have probably developed a leak.
 
I did the squeeze test. The check valve is in correctly. I'm thinking at this point it might be the 2 way valves. They are adjustable and may be the source of the leak. I will probably have to replace them with check valves instead. Or I will have to redrill new caps and reseal again.
Anyone else think it couldbe the 2 way valves?
 
how have you sealed the caps? we used a load of hot glue to seal on the inside and outside and they seal great.
 
The caps were sealed with silicone. I changed the 2 way valves for standard check valves last night when I got home and lo and behold 2 bubbles per second right away. Apparently I was right for once and those adjustable valves were leaking the CO2 out of the system.
Now everything is right as rain.

Just in time too...2 days without CO2 and I noticed a small amount of algae starting to grow. Hopefully it stops now.

My thanks to those who answered my post.
 
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