DIY CO2 for beginner

AnotherHobby · 01-14-2013, 10:54 PM

How long has it been? Depending on the diffuser and the temperature (cooler temps will slow it down), I've had it take up to 24 hours to get going.

puopg · 01-14-2013, 11:37 PM

I had the same issues as you before. Heres what i do:

I use sugar, Yeast (like fleishmanns or something just basic yeast you can find in grocery stores) and water. for equipment i used a 2 liter bottle and another smaller bottle filled with only water. In teh 2liter bottle i dissolve about 2 cups of sugar into it. Yeast i use probably like 1/2->1 tsp yeast. Proof it for 20 minutes but mixing it with lukewarm water. u should see stuff happening. Then mix the two solutions. I leave some space between the water level and the top of the 2L bottle so you dont get crap flowing into the other bottle. From the 2L bottle, take a tube and route it into the smaller bottle filled with water. That simple acts as a water filter so the CO2 from the 2L bubbles through the water and up. Then from the small bottle, taht rube coming out goes to the diffuser. It will take about a day for you to see good CO2 production. I highly doubt you will ever produce enough co2 this method to gas your fish so don't really need to worry about too high levels. Im sure its possible, but very unlikely.

If you can find it, i mix my yeast with some wine yeast as well. Wine yeast can take higher alcohol levels but produces co2 at a lower rate. However, its very consistent. I tried all wine yeast before. It sucks. Almost no CO2 came out and it takes like 2 days to get going. However, I mixed the two and it wasnt that bad. Also wine yeast settles to the bottom whereas bakers yeast floats. When you change out the yeast solutions, leave some of the Original liquid in as it can help speed up fermentation process IME.

What diffuser are you using? The diffuser might be clogged if it still cant get out.

plantedtankfan · 01-15-2013, 12:23 AM

i am using a bell type diy diffuser with a fine airstone on the tubbing from the reactors. I just set this whole system up sunday so it is very new. i think my reactors is producing some co2 but it does get into my tank. It has been over 24 hours now. Today, i shake the bottle and a rush of co2 bubled in to my bell reactor. but then it stop.

jhays79 · 01-18-2013, 11:45 PM

Buy a 20 dollar powerhead and run your co2 into thfe intake and let the impellar chop it up and shoot the bubbles across your tank.

jstehman · 01-19-2013, 01:07 AM

Sounds like a small leak.

If you get a rush of bubbles when you shake the fermenter, you don't have blockage.

Put some kiddie bubble solution on the lids where your airline goes and you will know for sure.

01-14-2013, 11:37 PM	#32
puopg Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 573	I had the same issues as you before. Heres what i do: I use sugar, Yeast (like fleishmanns or something just basic yeast you can find in grocery stores) and water. for equipment i used a 2 liter bottle and another smaller bottle filled with only water. In teh 2liter bottle i dissolve about 2 cups of sugar into it. Yeast i use probably like 1/2->1 tsp yeast. Proof it for 20 minutes but mixing it with lukewarm water. u should see stuff happening. Then mix the two solutions. I leave some space between the water level and the top of the 2L bottle so you dont get crap flowing into the other bottle. From the 2L bottle, take a tube and route it into the smaller bottle filled with water. That simple acts as a water filter so the CO2 from the 2L bubbles through the water and up. Then from the small bottle, taht rube coming out goes to the diffuser. It will take about a day for you to see good CO2 production. I highly doubt you will ever produce enough co2 this method to gas your fish so don't really need to worry about too high levels. Im sure its possible, but very unlikely. If you can find it, i mix my yeast with some wine yeast as well. Wine yeast can take higher alcohol levels but produces co2 at a lower rate. However, its very consistent. I tried all wine yeast before. It sucks. Almost no CO2 came out and it takes like 2 days to get going. However, I mixed the two and it wasnt that bad. Also wine yeast settles to the bottom whereas bakers yeast floats. When you change out the yeast solutions, leave some of the Original liquid in as it can help speed up fermentation process IME. What diffuser are you using? The diffuser might be clogged if it still cant get out. Last edited by puopg; 01-14-2013 at 11:40 PM.. Reason: add

01-19-2013, 01:07 AM	#35
jstehman Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: LaVista, NE Posts: 342	Sounds like a small leak. If you get a rush of bubbles when you shake the fermenter, you don't have blockage. Put some kiddie bubble solution on the lids where your airline goes and you will know for sure. __________________ Never show anyone your true potential. If you do, they will always expect it.

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01-14-2013, 10:54 PM	#31
AnotherHobby Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 211	How long has it been? Depending on the diffuser and the temperature (cooler temps will slow it down), I've had it take up to 24 hours to get going.

01-15-2013, 12:23 AM	#33
plantedtankfan Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: US Posts: 92	i am using a bell type diy diffuser with a fine airstone on the tubbing from the reactors. I just set this whole system up sunday so it is very new. i think my reactors is producing some co2 but it does get into my tank. It has been over 24 hours now. Today, i shake the bottle and a rush of co2 bubled in to my bell reactor. but then it stop.

01-18-2013, 11:45 PM	#34
jhays79 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: nj Posts: 257	Buy a 20 dollar powerhead and run your co2 into thfe intake and let the impellar chop it up and shoot the bubbles across your tank.