diy co2 production

[McgJosh]

I have two 2-liter bottles hooked up to a bubble counter and then to an airstone in the tank. I can see bubbles in the bubble counter (about 1 bubble per 2-3 seconds) but I never see any bubbles coming from the airstone in the tank. Is that normal? Is that a normal amount of bubbles per second for diy with two 2-liters?

I feel like I should be getting more out of it. This is my second try, the first time I didn't get any co2 produced. I used 2 cups of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon yeast per bottle.

[markkoelsch]

I tried the very same thing with no success. I think there is too much resistance in the airstone for the low pressure of the DIY setup to overcome.
I switched to feeding the co2 line into a powerhead with venturi.

2 cups of sugar to how much water? Also, I made a mistake early on...I forgot to dechlorinate the water, and it pretty much did a number on the yeast.

Mark

[McgJosh]

I can't feel any pressure built up in the bottles though so the co2 has to be going somewhere.

[Critter]

your CO2 is leaking out somewhere along the line - probably at the top of your soft drink bottles. Spray the connections with water and see where the bubbles are coming out.

[stev0205]

you shouldn't need decholorinator in the water.

[fshfanatic]

When I was doing DIY I never used dechlor

[Preeths]

The bottle needs to be warm at all times to keep the yeast active. Try covering the bottle with a hot pack, which might work. I have my whole setup on the terrace outside. So during the morning when the sun comes up the mixture gets warm and co2 production starts in earnest. I have also notices that the best depth to get most bubbles is by placing the air stone about 3”-4” inches below the surface of the water. i grow all my plants outdoors in the sunlight and then place them in my tank. This works for me.

How to check for leaks:

Try this after 4-5 hours after setting up the mixture. Where ever there are joints, wet the surface. Shake the bottle; this will release the co2 that is dissolved. You will see bubbles or hear a “fizz” noise if there are leaks. If there are no leaks then you should see bubbles coming from the air stone.

If there are no bubbles coming make sure that the Temp of the bottle is around 30-32 degree centigrade and try again after some time. Cold temperatures make the yeast dormant so there will be no co2 production.

let me know if this works....

Cheers!!!

Preetam