FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi,
I've been reading multiple sites on how to construct the 2 liter co2 injector. I have successfully built the unit, and a "bell" to hold the co2 in the water for a while.
I followed some instructions on a site telling how to make the yeast solution, and I'm afraid its not working. If i were to completely start over on the yeast solution, can someone please give me a concrete detailed way to make the yeast solution. Thanks

This is how I do my CO2.

Add 2 cups sugar to a 2L soda bottle.

Add warm water ...about 3 cups and stir/shake.

Add more warm water till about 6 cups or the bottom of where it curves.

Add 1/2 tsp yeast and shake using a spare bottle cap. Then add to the airline hose which I leave in the tank. Be sure to twist the bottle and not the cap with the airline as that adds stress to the seal.

^_^[hr width='40%']"So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time...
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
[link=I hope]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] you had the time of your life"

when i was still doing diy co2, i used a similar recipe as babel (i think babel stole my recipe actually ) except that i put the sugar in the bottle, *then* the 1/2 tsp of yeast, then filled up with lukewarm water. then i would put a normal cap on top, shake it up, and then take the normal cap off and put the airline cap on. as babel said, the airline part should stay with the tank and turn the bottle not the cap.

also, make sure your water is not too hot, it should actually be pretty close to room temp since it will get there eventually.

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

I am about to try this myself. I have been thinking about it for quite some time but it has scared me a little bit.

Is it best to have a shut off valve so you can control the amount of bubbles?

Can you use an airstone and have the co2 then to into the bell? Would this be good or bad?

How long will will it last? How often should you do it?

Could I hurt my fish in this operation?

........Thats all I can think of right now........

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Is it best to have a shut off valve so you can control the amount of bubbles?
All I have is a check valve. You dont really want to alter how many bubbles go in between day and night as that causes PH fluctuations.

Can you use an airstone and have the co2 then to into the bell? Would this be good or bad?
You could use an airstone, but that means you'll need more pressure to get the co2 out of the little holes, which may mean the mix wont last as long. If you're using a diffuser it's really a moot point as the co2 will dissapate to the water by being held by the bell. Whereas if you werent to use the bell an airstone would work the same way the ladder system works...basically smaller bubbles more bubble to water contact therefore more dissapation.

How long will will it last? How often should you do it?
Depends on a number of factors but the mix generally should be replaced once monthly.

Could I hurt my fish in this operation?
Possible, but if you do it right it's minimized. PH fluctuations could cause stress. Too much co2 at night could cause oxygen deprivation in the fish as that's when the plants are also breathing oxygen. Using a DIY setup without a check valve could cause the mix to backwash into the tank.
That being said I've never had trouble with mine...not that that's any guarantee .

^_^[hr width='40%']"So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time...
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
[link=I hope]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] you had the time of your life"

So the issue with the day to night thing. I am a little lost.

You don't want to have less bubles in the night because it will mess with the ph? So that is worse than having too much co2 in the tank?

Here is another question for me to ask.......would co2 be worth doing with my plants??

Java Moss
Java Fern
Melon Sword
Wisteria
Giant Hygrophila



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Those plants can grow fine without C02, they just wont grow as fast. CO2 would help them thrive. How big is your tank?

40 Gal. long
Flurish Sub. with reg. gravel on top.
130W Coralife 6700k

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wingsdlc

With that kind of light you are going to create conditions ripe for algae. The plants will probably not be able to take advantage of the light due to carbon limitations. So with that light I believe you should be doing co2.




Last edited by tetratech at 13-Oct-2005 09:34

My Scapes

you are also at about the limit for diy co2. the general rule of thumb is a tank no bigger than 30g for diy, but with a 40g long tank you might be able to get away with it since the tank is not quite as tall as the "normal" 40.

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

I am starting to get some algae but nothing too bad. I have only had the light for a few weeks now and my plants have really started to take off so I am sure that is helping. I also have 5 Otos that are going to town on the opperation.

So CO2 is a good idea for me? Sounds like this might be a fun project!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Wingsdlc
During the first few weeks the plants live off the internal reserves and then will need outside sources to make food. If you are not providing co2 and other nutrients you will probably get alot of algae with 3 wpg.



My Scapes

I was to start out running with some Flurish Exell but then I ran out and I have been pretty poor since then. I think this weekend I am going to build a CO2 contraption.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Moondog, my tank must really "abnormal" cuz I'm doing DIY on a 200 Gallon and C02 levels are at a stable 24 ppm. It requires two pop bottles to power though. The drawback is that it only last 2 weeks...

Hi,
The generally accepted limit for DIY CO2 in a tank is
around 30 gallons. Usually, any larger requires multiple
bottles to be interconnected, and extra bottles standing
by.

The rate at which CO2 is produced depends on several
variables including the proportions of the mix, type of
mix, and even the temperature of the room the system is
operating within. How efficient any system is depends
upon variables such as the method of injection (diffuser
or reactor) the construction of either, and the water
chemistry (starting pH) and the KH of the water.

With each "mix" the bottles must be uncapped rinsed out
and redone. Each time the bottles are uncapped, stress
is put on the connections, at their weakest point and
leaks can easily occur. With large tanks that require
more than one bottle, the mixing, and cleaning, and
repairing, can soon become a real chore.

With DIY CO2, the output (CO2) starts off rather
fast, slows down, and then tapers off as the mix
ages. The ultimate goal, is to have a constant
output over a prolonged period of time.
That goal has led to all sorts of experiments with
various sugars, yeasts, and blends of the two.

Generally speaking, the DIY system uses a 2 liter, thin
walled, plastic soda bottle. There is no way to control
the output and any restrictions cause the pressure within
the generator (soda bottle) to increase. It can split
the bottle and spew the contents all over the enclosure.
With the thin plastic bottles, you can't just turn a valve
and shut off the CO2 to the tank, the CO2 will continue
to be generated, and unless you bleed it off to the
atmosphere, the bottle pressure will increase to a possible
rupture or leak.

At normal light levels you do not NEED to run CO2 injection
but if you are "driving" your plants (low or moderate
demand [1-2wpg] plants being housed in high light [3+wpg])
then CO2 should be injected. Generally speaking, if you
don't mix plant demands, and stay at/under 2wpg, you
can have a beautiful, lush, green jungle.

However, if you want to take your tank to even better
heights, then CO2 injection will give the plants the
Carbon that they need to grow and process the other
nutrients. Carbon, in the gaseous CO2 form, is ideal.
Plants will break the Hydrogen/Carbon bonds in organic
compounds, but it takes "work." Plants can easily
break the CO2 bonds and they will grow
faster, lusher, with "brighter" color, and be healthier.

To ME, DIY CO2 is a step in developing your "green thumb."

Establish a tank, learn what plants will thrive in
that tank, under that lighting and then take the
next step.
DIY CO2 can be that next step. There is no sense in
spending the $$ money required for a bottled system, as
an experiment. Try DIY first.
If it works for you and you like the results,
then junk the mixing and all the other hassles, go to
the next level and purchase a bottled system.
And, of course, if you can't afford the bottled system,
then, DIY is the best.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I just started my Co2. Things seem to be working fine thus far. Now I will just have to wait and see how my plants like it.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric