DIY CO2 help...

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JasonC

Aquarium Advice Freak
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
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Location
Laurel, MD
So I have lost my second batch of yeast to a leak in my bottlecap/hose assembly... getting really frustrating since it doesnt seem that the silicone gets a strong enough adhesion to withstand the twists and turns of getting a cap on a bottle.

Has anyone tried any other methods of getting the hose into the bottle through a cap? maybe a valve I can screw on instead or something?

Or at least some hints on making the silicone work better? FWIW, I am using GE Clear Silicone I.

Thanks!
 
when i did mine i poked the hole small so i had to force it in. there are metal valves you could put in. i would look at home depot / lowes.
 
You can also just drill a hole at the top of the bottle smaller then the air line cut the air line on a angle and push in and seal. That way the bottle cap isn't even touched.If you drill the cap use sand paper to rough the top up.
 
I had the same problem... I made mine so small i could barly put the hose in it and it stillleaked... I pit silicone on the inside AND ouside of the cap... If I remember I will take a picture tonight... the inside of it got a little messed up when I screwed it on BUT if you twist it close VERY tight it works well. I did the same thing with my extra bottle (to catch the "gunk" that might get thru the hose :D )
 
Yeah there's a cap liner inside the cap make sure its drilled and put back in if it comes out.
 
I used DAP Clear windows and doors.... Drilled the hole small to force in the tubing, sealed both sides of the cap. I worry about it leaking but so far have not had an issue. Be sure to let it sit for at least 24 hours before even touching the cap. It takes a while for it to dry especially if you put a ton on it.
 
Oh,... I also went with the blue silicone tubing - It seemed softer and wasn't quite as resistant to movement like the clear stuff. It's also nice because you can see water and air through it better to see how your rig is working. I hear it is more resistant to the Co2 as well.
 
I have tried a couple of different ways, but just making the hole smaller then the tubing and forcing the tubing in there was byfar the easiest. I never had leaks doing it this way either.
 
go to the nearest hobby store. for a few bucks you can get some sort of valve or whatever you want to call it. a couple of mine are fuel filters for remote control planes. it was only a couple bucks
 
I actually took the liner out and put the sealant on the inside and outside. The smaller bottle is for the "gunk" and is pretty much "sealed closed" and id have to replac the bottle if I wante do open it probably.
 

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All good tips everyone. Thanks! I think I am going to try redrilling as a smaller hole first, and then move on to the valves if that fails. I took a look at my most favorite toy catalogue and found this --> McMaster-Carr

looks interesting... its called a push-to-connect fitting. Used for everything from pneumatics to hydrolics with a huge number of fluids.. .I think it can handle a little CO2... Also will try to see if I can find some rubber washers to make a complete seal.

I'll post again as I progress.
 
well, I have success... the small hole was the key!

Hooked up a new batch of yeast 24 hrs ago, and I have bubbles... well bubble... my airstone is a pile of poo... need to replace it. Can I do this mid bottle, or will all be ruined if I fix that?

Also, in the 24 hrs, my pH went from 7.4 to 6.6... wow! so this gets my co2 up to about 20ppm... not too bad I guess?

Well, now hopefully more than just my algae will grow. Also noticed a significant increase in algae overnight... either staghorn or some type of hair... not sure which... I really hope I am not going to have to go in and handpick that crud out!

thanks again folks!
 
The CO2 level is good, you'll have to fertilize now though.
That will also help the algae situation.
 
you can go ahead and fix the airstone situation with out messing up anything significantly. it would just have to pressurize the bottle again to force the co2 out the line. it wouldn't take too long.
 
I bought a powerhead that allows you to plug an air hose directly into the top of it. I was having problems diffusing the Co2 with an airstone so i tried this method. AWESOME.... my plants are taking off and the powerhead blows very small bubbles out each time the pressure reaches the powerhead. I've also been adding Sechems Florish Excel and everything is going nuts. Hope it helps ya.
 
The CO2 level is good, you'll have to fertilize now though.
That will also help the algae situation.

Yeah... I actually think thats what caused the algae I had to kick into high gear... I stupidly dosed Flourish and Seachem Potassium right after I hooked up the CO2... so I am assuming the algae I had already had a field day for the 1st 24 hours while the CO2 ramped up. Here's to hoping it starts going away as my plants start picking up.
 
I bought a powerhead that allows you to plug an air hose directly into the top of it. I was having problems diffusing the Co2 with an airstone so i tried this method. AWESOME.... my plants are taking off and the powerhead blows very small bubbles out each time the pressure reaches the powerhead. I've also been adding Sechems Florish Excel and everything is going nuts. Hope it helps ya.

Thanks for the tip Yellow Eye... Not sure if I can go to a powerhead diffusion system yet... the wife may eat me for breakfast if I spend any more money on the tank. ;P I think airstoning it should work fine... its just the one I have now goes back and forth between a stream of tiny bubbles and intermittent big bubbles... I think the airstone itself is just at the end of its shelf life. Thanks!
 
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