FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello all, i want to make a diy co2 for my 29 gallon. I currently have the hagen thing with the ladder diffuser. I just dont feel like it is sufficient enouph for my wanting. What is the best recipe to use with the 2 liter soda bottle? would it be good to use the ladder diffuser or is another one better? Which is the best and most commonly available yeast in grocery stores?

Hi,
Normally folks use "Brewers Yeast" for generating the
CO2.

As far as the actual process and generator, a search on
the Internet for "DIY CO2 generators for aquarium use"
yielded dozens of results.
Here is one and they use bakers yeast:

http://www.tropicalfishforums.co.uk/index.php?page=matt1

Frank


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

There's a ton of different recipes, theories, and additives you can try with a diy co2 system. Basically though all you need is some type of yeast(even cheap bread yeast), dechlorinated warm water, and sugar. I use 3 cups of sugar, fill the 2 liter with warm water, add a pinch of yeast, shake it, and bubble it with an airstone for a few hours or overnight. Produces steady co2 for 2weeks possibly 3 but I prefer to change it early and have a steady co2 output than letting the mix run out. To change it I pour off the liquid leaving the sludge in the bottom, refill with warm dechlorinated water, add 3 cups of sugar, shake, aerate, and hook it back up. The sludge contains yeast that will multiply all over again so no need to add new yeast. There are tons of different methods. More sugar, less sugar, more yeast, less yeast, different types of yeast, hotter water, using baking soda or other buffers, adding in extra food sources such as bread flour.... Like I said lots of different theories that are suppose to maximize co2 production or maximize the length of time it produces co2 before needing to be remixed. Depends how much research and experimentation you want to do.

On a 29 gal tank the Hagen Co2 system is perfect, however the ladder is not the best way to have it absorb the gas into the water. I would invest in a better diffuser before trashing the Hagen bottle system.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams