DIY CO2 Formula??

[g8wayg8r]

AGA published an article a year ago about various recipies.

Most recipies have more sugar than the yeast can use. You only need 1/2 cup per quart/litre. Add a tsp of soy flour to feed the little beasties and a tsp of baking soda to stabalize the ph. All you need is a 1/4 tsp of yeast. I use red wine yeast. It seem to go a little longer and slower.

It works.

[xcooperx]

right now my DIY mixture is

1 cup of Sugar
1/4 Tsp. of Protien Powder
1/2 Yeast
1tsp. Baking Soda

I dont know how long it last but i changed my bottle everyweek alternatley, i have 2x 2liter.

But this DIY will not last long, im now going to go with Pressurized co2

[hughitt1]

How long does it typically take for enough co2 to build up so that it starts entering the tank?

[fshfanatic]

Mine generally take between 15 & 30 minutes.

[JenThePlantGeek]

hughitt1 - It can vary greatly. Some people leave in the old sludge at the bottom which tends to speed it up. I've also had people mention that a tsp or so of molassas can really get it going quick. Mine generally is up and running 100% within a day. If it takes longer than that, and you most likely don't have live yeast anymore for one reason or another.

[hughitt1]

Okay yea. I was pretty much guessed that either they co2 were not alive or a connection somewhere was not tight enough (i hope thats not the case becuase it will be a pain to tell). I think i'll try and start over again and if i still don't have any luck, go back and check all of the connections.

Thanks

[steve5520]

I finally got a DIY setup going on my 29gal a couple days ago.

Once I make the mixture, do I need to do anything on a regular basis? Or just wait till it needs to be re-mixed?

Thanks.

[tritan]

Originally Posted by fshfanatic

I just used a 2ltr pop bottle and the following:

4 cups water ( there is about a 6" space of air at the top )
4 cups sugar
1tsp baking soda
1 tsp yeast

It is has been really kicking out the flow through a glass diffusor and has been for the last few days.

how long does yours last

[fshfanatic]

3-4 weeks if I open the bottle and lewt some O2 in.

[cbennett]

here's some things to keep in mind:

- yeast will get killed if the water is too hot (aim for tepid)
- doesn't matter what type of water is used
- bread yeast (fleishman's) will foam at the top so leave room in the bottle
- Champagne yeast isn't a top foamer
- bread yeast is very sensitive to acidity and alcohol so if you use it, the solution doesn't last that long (~ 2 weeks)
- Champagne yeast is designed to work in acidity and alcohol so it lasts much longer (~1 month)
- if you add a little baking soda to the solution, it will help reduce acidity
- yeast is temperature sensitive so in the winter, it will bubble slower than in the summer. Also, if you keep the yeast in the freezer it will take a couple hours for it to kick in.
- use 1 2-liter bottle for every 10-12 gallons unless it's a low light, slow growth type tank.
- yeast will keep in the freezer for 6-8 months
- you can buy packets of Champagne yeast for ~$1.00 at your local brewery supply shop or online (one 5 gram packet lasts for 6 months)

Here's my recipe:
1 2-liter bottle filled to the shoulder with tepid tapwater
2 cups sugar (regular white sugar)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon Champagne yeast

[tritan]

ok,
first attempt at DIY CO is a flop. I used the reciept with 2 cups sugar, active yeast,1/3 Baking soda, and warm water to the neck of a 2 liter. Drill the hole in the top of the bottle pulled the tube into it with a plyers so it wss tight.
After 1/2 hour the inside neck started to fog up. I watched the fine air stone it was hooked to and the water level in the tube never came toward the stone. I watched it for a bit more and stilll no changes. What did I do wrong?

[JenThePlantGeek]

You might just have a leak. Put some super glue or silicone sealant around the base of the tube to make sure there is no leaking. Also, give it overnight at least before giving up on it. Sometimes yeast takes awhile to work its magic

[fshfanatic]

Originally Posted by steve5520

I finally got a DIY setup going on my 29gal a couple days ago.

Once I make the mixture, do I need to do anything on a regular basis? Or just wait till it needs to be re-mixed?

Thanks.

I like to give is a swirl every few days and open the top to allow O2 in. Seems to give it a boost.

[jasonh]

Originally Posted by tritan

ok,
first attempt at DIY CO is a flop. I used the reciept with 2 cups sugar, active yeast,1/3 Baking soda, and warm water to the neck of a 2 liter. Drill the hole in the top of the bottle pulled the tube into it with a plyers so it wss tight.
After 1/2 hour the inside neck started to fog up. I watched the fine air stone it was hooked to and the water level in the tube never came toward the stone. I watched it for a bit more and stilll no changes. What did I do wrong?

I'd make a bubble counter out of a small soda bottle that way you can really see what it's doing.

To check for leaks I like to put soap around the seals and blow into the open end of airline into the bottle to create some pressure...if you get bubbles you have leaks.

your yeast could be dead. I never had any luck with the little packets...I got the jar of instant yeast and keep it in the fridge. measure your yeast and bring it to room temp. Then get a small cup of warm (~100deg) water, put a pinch of sugar in, and dump the yeast in. don't even need to mix it. let it sit for 10-20min. if it gets foamy, it's good. Then make the mixture, then dump the yeasty liquid in on top. and for good measure I put maybe 1/16 tsp of dry yeast straight on top. Haven't had a bottle fail to start once I started this method....

p.s. I hate DIY CO2. I need to go pressurized in a bad way

[gabeszone247]