Diy Co2

[SLIM]

Im currently looking into and researching into building a DIY CO2 system (yeast and sugar)
I think I understand almost everything.
Big soda bottle filled 3/4 with warm water, 2 cups of sugar, teaspoon of yeast and a pinch of baking soda.
An air tight airline hose going from the mix to a gas seperator, then another air tight airline going from the seperator to the reactor in the tank? Using non return valves obviously. Is this right?

My questions are...

How long will this mix last for and how effective is this method?

I have a 260l tank so im assuming I will need 2 big soda bottles with the yeast mix going to a single gas seperator?

Can I use ordinary yeast from a supermarket?

Does the gas seperator need to be filled with water? Or can it be empty?

If the gas seperator does need to be filled with water, should any of the airline hoses be submerged or above waterline?

And does the bottles with the yeast and sugar mix need to be kept at a constant temp?

Alot of questions I kno but I want to get this right and have a full understanding of the whole process.
Iv already looked through the DIY section on this forum and couldnt find anything.
Thanx in advance for any comments and advice. Also and links or pictures/demonstrations would be very much apreciated too.

Thanx again

 

[ian]

I have a 260l tank so im assuming I will need 2 big soda bottles with the yeast mix going to a single gas seperator?

I'm going to skip the other questions for now, as 260l is to big for DIY. You'd need at least 8 2ltr bottles, and even then, you would be looking at stable amounts of C02 in your tank. Unstable C02 can cause more problems, as you get blooms of various algaes which is exacerbated to unstable C02.

 

[StandbySetting]

I agree with Ian, DIY CO[sub]2[/sub] isn't realistic on a tank this size, it'll be very difficult to maintain constant levels of CO[sub]2[/sub], your best bet would be a pressurised system, many members on here use the DIY Fire extinguisher method.

 

[SLIM]

Really? Thats a shame. I was kinda looking for a new challenge.
Hmmm I might look into a proper CO2 kit then.
Iv heard there expensive. I suppose once youve got it tho youve got it. When the bottles run out is it a matter of re-gassing or buying a new bottle?

 

[StandbySetting]

Fire extinguishers can be refilled, most branded kits require new canisters.

 

[SLIM]

I agree with Ian, DIY CO[sub]2[/sub] isn't realistic on a tank this size, it'll be very difficult to maintain constant levels of CO[sub]2[/sub], your best bet would be a pressurised system, many members on here use the DIY Fire extinguisher method.

Fire extinguisher diy? Never heard of that. How does that work? Im thinking I might get a proper kit tho.

Fire extinguishers can be refilled, most branded kits require new canisters.

How long do the canisters last?

 

[StandbySetting]

Depends on the volume, FE set ups are pretty similar to the branded ones, they use the same equipment, it's just that they're generally cheaper to set up.

 

[SLIM]

Thanx for the input sbs, im gona hit google hard now and see what I find

 

[SLIM]

What do you think of this? Its refillable. Or do you think I can find it cheaper?

 

[StandbySetting]

Really expensive for what it is, you could have a FE set up for under £100

 

[SLIM]

Really expensive for what it is, you could have a FE set up for under £100

Really? But I wouldnt have a clue where to start with that.

 

[StandbySetting]

There is a guide in the PARC at the top of the planted section.

 

[SLIM]

There is a guide in the PARC at the top of the planted section.

Thanx for that, just given it all a good read through and it all seems simple enough.
Dangerous but simple lol then again i guess as long as you use common sense it should be safe enough.
I think this is the route im gona take.
You probably just save me £150 so thanx for that

 

[L_Plates]

As standby recommended give the FE setup a go. I have just done this and is simple and safe as long as you follow the guide from the forum.

Good Luck.

LP

 

[SLIM]

Well after sleeping on it, iv decided to build the kit myself except instead of using a FE, im going to use a proper JBL CO2 bottle as I think a FE is just far too dangerous, too much can go wrong. Call me crazy but I just dont think my life or limbs are worth pretty green aquatic plants lol.
Yea ok a JBL will cost alot more but it will be refillable and alot safer, u cant put a price on that. Iv shopped around and I recon I can still build the whole thing for £120 which still isnt bad!

The only thing I still dont fully understand tho is dosage.
Once the kit is built, how do u get the correct balance of CO2?
Im assuming larger tanks would need more CO2 so how do u kno if your injecting in enough or too much?