Co2 Worked 1st Time - Nothing On Next 2 Mixes

[corradophil]

I have a DIY CO2 system using 2 litre coke bottles and a Nutrafin bubble ladder.

The 1st mix I made up worked fine, although I forgot to stir it In the end I shook it and the bubbles started.

I've since tried 2 more mixes and both times, no bubbles.

If I give the bottle a little squeeze, bubbles come out in the tank, so it's gas tight, I have one non return valve to illiminate any siphoning risk, which worked fine with this on the 1st mixture.

I'm using 1/2 tsp of Hovis Yeast with 1 pint of granulated sugar and 1 pint of tepid water.

I will try removing the non return valve, to make sure its not causing the problem, but I don't expect that to solve it.

Can anyone offer any other suggestions of what may be causing this.

 

[aibo210]

Hi

I know my nutrafin one dont work as well if at all if I dont clean out the old mixture well enough it seems to effect the new. I use boiling water to make sure all the sugar in the bottem has gone from the old mix so the canister is squeaky clean inside. It bubbles like mad then. also make sure you keep the open packet of yeast dry say in an airing cuboard or next to a radiator etc I think if it gets damp its less effective! also sugar lumps made of old tea dont help lol so use fresh!

Give it a try!

Carl

 

[corradophil]

Hi

I know my nutrafin one dont work as well if at all if I dont clean out the old mixture well enough it seems to effect the new. I use boiling water to make sure all the sugar in the bottem has gone from the old mix so the canister is squeaky clean inside. It bubbles like mad then. also make sure you keep the open packet of yeast dry say in an airing cuboard or next to a radiator etc I think if it gets damp its less effective! also sugar lumps made of old tea dont help lol so use fresh!

Give it a try!

Carl

Thanks for the response, I only gave the canister a quick rinse once empty, so that is something to consider. I used brand new sugar, and point taken about the yeast.

I've been doing some research elsewhere, and I'm wondering if it is too cold for it too.

 

[sjdriscoll]

I had this problem with my DIY and it was because it was not sealed properly. When I shook it up or squeezed the bottle I got bubbles but under 'normal' pressure the CO2 was escaping at the cap seal. I redid the seals and cured the problem.

Hope this helps.

 

[corradophil]

I had this problem with my DIY and it was because it was not sealed properly. When I shook it up or squeezed the bottle I got bubbles but under 'normal' pressure the CO2 was escaping at the cap seal. I redid the seals and cured the problem.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I'll doouble check all the seals, I suppose a very small leak is enough to let out tiny amounts of gas, but at higher pressures it would need to escape elsewhere, like through the tank.

I think the problem may be the temperature in my lounge which is where the tank is situated. I measured it last night and it was 15 degrees C!!! I beleive this is too cold for the fermentation process to take place.

 

[aibo210]

I had this problem with my DIY and it was because it was not sealed properly. When I shook it up or squeezed the bottle I got bubbles but under 'normal' pressure the CO2 was escaping at the cap seal. I redid the seals and cured the problem.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I'll doouble check all the seals, I suppose a very small leak is enough to let out tiny amounts of gas, but at higher pressures it would need to escape elsewhere, like through the tank.

I think the problem may be the temperature in my lounge which is where the tank is situated. I measured it last night and it was 15 degrees C!!! I beleive this is too cold for the fermentation process to take place.

wrap the bottle in tin foil and wool that might help!

 

[confusion]

Try different yeast. My guess is that something happened to it between the first and second times. I keep mine refigerated, but I'm not certain that it's required.

 

[lisa_perry75]

Try putting it on top of the tank, as the light starter for the bulbs usually gets quite warm

 

[Norwich keeper]

Try putting it on top of the tank, as the light starter for the bulbs usually gets quite warm

Same for me, I keep my DIY bottle on top of the tank where it gets warmed up daytime. Also no risk of water syphoning as tubing is above tank level.

Sounds like yours isn't getting warm enough.

 

[corradophil]

Try putting it on top of the tank, as the light starter for the bulbs usually gets quite warm

Same for me, I keep my DIY bottle on top of the tank where it gets warmed up daytime. Also no risk of water syphoning as tubing is above tank level.

Sounds like yours isn't getting warm enough.

Thanks for everyones replies

I think it was the temperature, its now around 19 deg C, and I gave the bottle a good shake on Saturday morning, there have been bubbles ever since