DIY CO2 generator

[JPKeenan]

Well I waited the 48 hours for the silicone to totally cure and just added the yeast and sugar. I will update ya'll on how well it works.

 

[partypalooza5]

I made a DIY co2 but somehow ants found it..

 

[JPKeenan]

wow not even 15 mins and the thing is cracking out co2 through an airstone I attached to it.

now my only question is how close do I need it to my plants?

 

[beglely]

Proximity to plants isnt important. Diffusing the co2 into the water is. How large are the bubbles coming out and do they disappear before they reach the surface?

 

[partypalooza5]

I say make a power head powered reactor. Less CO2 waste IMO.

 

[JPKeenan]

no power head or such....

I just ugly-fied the tank too by putting a new HOB on it to cycle for one of the new tanks.

 

[beglely]

Ive seen people shove the tubing into the intake of thier HOB. I tried it once-lasted 5 minutes before the noise upset me too much. I let mine diffuse through an airstone and I get a good amount of co2 entering my water (15ppm or better).

 

[partypalooza5]

no power head or such....

I just ugly-fied the tank too by putting a new HOB on it to cycle for one of the new tanks.

DIY external reactor?

 

[JPKeenan]

used some older tubing I had around and the thing was giving me problems trying to position the air stone.

I have the stone semi-near the plants. Lucky I checked the thing the the muck was climbing up the hose and closer to the tank.... means I need to add a second bottle to catch the yeast before it can come into the tank via the airstone. Will need to design version 2.

 

[aarongalvan]

I just made one... can't wait to mix up and use the magical Sugar/Yeast muck! Hopefully, Sugar Ants won't find it! I sealed the hose at the cap pretty good, maybe they won't be able to sniff it out.

 

[JPKeenan]

Somehow I had the yeast scum crawl up the air hose. So I am redesigning mine. I am adding a second bottle. *lol* if I was thinking I would have had it like a water pipe (perk the incoming CO2 through some water).

One or two warnings I have heard. One is to make sure to keep up on it so it doesn't start producing alcohol (which will kill the fish). The second is to use a touch of something besides sugar (a spoon or two of OJ, tomato sauce, or whatever).

 

[FishEggs]

i havent heard that second one

 

[Etunes]

Buy one of these. They cost 1 dollar at a pet store. it will stop the Backup from entering the tank.

http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3762478t400.jpg

It is a check valve and is very cheap, Makes your job easier.

 

[FishEggs]

it's not backup thats going toward the tank
the check valve stops water/gas from coming from the direction of the tank to the generator. cant put the check valve in the other direction or the co2 wont get to the tank.

 

[Etunes]

I believe it will stop the backup fluid from going into the tank as well.

 

[JPKeenan]

no was not the back up from the tank going to the bottle. It was the yeast fermentation scum going to the tank.

The reason I am adding the second bottle is so any material from the yeast bottle will be dumped in the second bottle instead of going into the tank.

Some article I read said to *** something besides sugar to the yeast after a while. The idea being that the yeast would like something more than just sugar.... The tomato sauce or OJ will provide other nutrients.

 

[beglely]

I know sometimes baking soda is added to prevent the co2 from lowering your pH

 

[JPKeenan]

I have a high pH anyway....

I cut back the water, yeast and sugar and seems to be working well now.