Cannot Get Diy Co2 To Do Anything.

[Eclecticoldsod]

Were I a betting man, my money would be on the yeast. How can you tell if dry “active” yeast is still alive and active – except by whether it works or not? Invest 15p at Sainsbury's bread dept; and prove it one way or the other!
Sound to me as if you have done all you can do to eliminate the possibility of 'leaks' from the bottle and airline. Look forward to tomorrow's update..!

 

[aaronnorth]

you can use soapy water aswell

 

[Eclecticoldsod]

you can use soapy water aswell

Can you really? I think I would rather not..!

 

[sjdriscoll]

This is better than a murder mystery!

You have to add sugar to the cup of warm water so that the yeast has something to get started on - it will just die in a cup of pure water and not multiply and react as you want it to. Try it with your yeast - I use dried with no problems.

I had all the problems that you have now and it did come down to the cap seals in the end. You can't test the seal by disconnecting the CO2 tube as that is exactly where you leak is likely to be.

I really think that it's you bottle caps now. Sealing with epoxy doesn't always work very well. The best method I have found it to use an airline pipe/tube connector. I drill a hole just a bit smaller than the connector and then hammer it into the bottle cap (from the inside is best). It will only go as far as the 'flange' in the middle of the connector. You don't need any resin or sealant at all. Then just attach your air/CO2 line to the connector and away you go! In fact I have taken them out before and then just pushed them back in by hand and still had a 100% seal.

Someone on here told me this and it worked first time!

Good luck.

 

[corradophil]

In today's episode of, "Why does my CO2 generator not work??" Find out what happened last night and what was going on this morning...

Last night I emptied my kitchen bin, put it in the bath and filled it with water, next I removed the entire CO2 setup except for the ladder and the hose leading to it.

I put the whole lot in the bin (with water, not rubbish) and applied lots of pressure to each bottle, both generators and tubing from them is 100% gas tight, then I checked the 500ml catch bottle, and noticed 1 or 2 tiny bubbles coming out next to one of the plastic fittings from the cap.

I could find no other leaks at all. So I mixed up more epoxy and put plenty on around the area of the leak, and left it over night disconnected for the epoxy to cure with no pressure build up.

This morning I connected it up to the hose into the tank, and fitted the non return valve again.

No bubbles after leaving it for a while, I shook one bottle and loads of bubbles came out, but after 5 mins there was about 1 bubble every 30 secs, so I shook the other bottle, a lot more bubbles were coming out then.

Unfotunately I had leave for work, so I don't know if the bubbles continued.

Tune in tommorow for the next episode of, "Why does my CO2 generator not work??"

 

[aaronnorth]

you can use soapy water aswell

Can you really? I think I would rather not..!

Why not? Spread it on the joints and if it bubbles then you have a leak. Just wash it well after

 

[corradophil]

you can use soapy water aswell

Can you really? I think I would rather not..!

Why not? Spread it on the joints and if it bubbles then you have a leak. Just wash it well after

I tried sopy water, but could not spot any leaks, I think for very small ones there is no substitute for submerging it all.

Sopy water is a good start though, at least if you find a leak that way, you don't have to remove everything.

 

[sjdriscoll]

Thought it had to be a leak. Is it working now?

 

[corradophil]

Thought it had to be a leak. Is it working now?

Yes its still working, plenty of bubbles.

I'm looking forward to seeing what effect it has on the plants.

Thanks for everyones input on this

 

[deucebrennan]

In today's episode of, "Why does my CO2 generator not work??" Find out what happened last night and what was going on this morning...

Last night I emptied my kitchen bin, put it in the bath and filled it with water, next I removed the entire CO2 setup except for the ladder and the hose leading to it.

I put the whole lot in the bin (with water, not rubbish) and applied lots of pressure to each bottle, both generators and tubing from them is 100% gas tight, then I checked the 500ml catch bottle, and noticed 1 or 2 tiny bubbles coming out next to one of the plastic fittings from the cap.

I could find no other leaks at all. So I mixed up more epoxy and put plenty on around the area of the leak, and left it over night disconnected for the epoxy to cure with no pressure build up.

This morning I connected it up to the hose into the tank, and fitted the non return valve again.

No bubbles after leaving it for a while, I shook one bottle and loads of bubbles came out, but after 5 mins there was about 1 bubble every 30 secs, so I shook the other bottle, a lot more bubbles were coming out then.

Unfotunately I had leave for work, so I don't know if the bubbles continued.

Tune in tommorow for the next episode of, "Why does my CO2 generator not work??"

I had a similar result with my system yesterday. (just made it!) I used the same yeast allinson dry active (1/4 tsp) mixed with 1tsp water to activate and then had half pint of warm water and half pint of sugar. this mix was the same in both 2 litre bottles. i had a few bubbles when i gave the gennerators a shake but it quickly died down. i then bumped up the yeast by adding an extra 3/4tsp of activated yeast into each tank. gave it a good shake and then bubbles galore! they have been going strong now for 12 hours. im worried that i might have too many co2 bubbles now! if thats possible.

Anyhow, my advice would be to increase the concentration of yeast in each gennerator. try little by little as i have so many bubbles in my reactor that its leaking large bubbles to the surface now and needs a silicon patch up!

good luck

 

[corradophil]

It's all working well with 1/2 tsp of yeast.

The plants seem to be benefitting from it, they have grown a lot since I found the leak.

You can see bubbles (I assume oxygen) rising from the valis to the surface.