Hi-tec Diy Idea...

[karlp]

Hi

Anyone thought about trying anything like this ?

The idea is to get consistent CO2 levels by aiming with the CO2 mix so that it is giving the right CO2 levels after the initial peak and let the ph controller mop up the excess during the first few days, venting it to atmosphere.

I've been thinking about this, since trying out 'turbo yeast' mix (yeast designed to give a 20% yield of alchohol) which has been yielding very high CO2 levels. Just need to sort out the longevity...

Discuss... ?

 

[George Farmer]

Neat idea, especially if you can get loads of output from DIY, worthy of needing such control. It would definitely be a first, an ultra-stable yeast-based CO2 system. It just seems a little odd mixing high and low-tech in such a manner. Like a Mercedes S-Class with a Robin Reliant engine!

If one is willing to go to the effort/expense of running a pH controller and solenoid then surely investing in a pressurized cylinder and reg seems justifiable.

On a more technical note I'm concerned about venting DIY CO2 to atmosphere, I think it may cause problems with the mixture, although the check valve may prevent that. Not sure on that, perhaps someone can clarify.

Top marks for ingenuity though.

 

[karlp]

Thanks for the comments gf225!

On a more technical note I'm concerned about venting DIY CO2 to atmosphere, I think it may cause problems with the mixture, although the check valve may prevent that. Not sure on that, perhaps someone can clarify.

I think it should be OK. At the moment I sometimes disconnect the CO2 during the night and the check valve seems to stop the mix from stalling because of getting air in there.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

hi just wanted to add that there are solenoid valves available that have an exhaust, meaning its 3 way, i think it can be rigged to work with DIY mixes because the exhaust allows the DIY mix to vent out pressure during the night when the valve closes....

Having said so i think GF is right because DIY mixes need to build pressure in order to inject, and this takes time, letting the DIY bottle vent off pressure would be a bad idea IMO. This simply means the bottle might take a lot of time to build pressure and start injecting co2 when the solenoid valve opens.

 

[karlp]

hi just wanted to add that there are solenoid valves available that have an exhaust, meaning its 3 way, i think it can be rigged to work with DIY mixes because the exhaust allows the DIY mix to vent out pressure during the night when the valve closes....

Having said so i think GF is right because DIY mixes need to build pressure in order to inject, and this takes time, letting the DIY bottle vent off pressure would be a bad idea IMO. This simply means the bottle might take a lot of time to build pressure and start injecting co2 when the solenoid valve opens.

I don't think the loss of pressure would be an issue, because when I've reconnected DIY mixes it only seems to take a few minutes before it bubbles again normally.

However... if you went with your two way soleniod idea.. you could get round the loss of pressure venting to atmosphere by putting a check valve on the vent to atmosphere with a higher cracking pressure (e.g, a 1 bar check valve). This would keep the line pressurised but not so much as to risk the bottle exploding.

 

[simonbrown403]

hi just wanted to add that there are solenoid valves available that have an exhaust, meaning its 3 way, i think it can be rigged to work with DIY mixes because the exhaust allows the DIY mix to vent out pressure during the night when the valve closes....

Having said so i think GF is right because DIY mixes need to build pressure in order to inject, and this takes time, letting the DIY bottle vent off pressure would be a bad idea IMO. This simply means the bottle might take a lot of time to build pressure and start injecting co2 when the solenoid valve opens.

I don't think the loss of pressure would be an issue, because when I've reconnected DIY mixes it only seems to take a few minutes before it bubbles again normally.

However... if you went with your two way soleniod idea.. you could get round the loss of pressure venting to atmosphere by putting a check valve on the vent to atmosphere with a higher cracking pressure (e.g, a 1 bar check valve). This would keep the line pressurised but not so much as to risk the bottle exploding.

Sounds like a good idea.

I had one 2ltr bottle running on a 300ltr tank i use to unhook it at night without a problem, untill the Ph crashed due to low KH.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

I see I see, that was the part i did not understand, the role of the check valves ! this looks like a good idea then ! but GF is right, the solenoid would be ok but investin in a ph controller for a DIY mix is too much

nice idea still ! didn;t know check valves allowed air to pass back... or depends on the check valve ? : )

 

[karlp]

The two way valve is an interesting idea.

I've got a brew of turbo yeast on at the moment which has been going bonkers (see previous post 4 bubble a second at it's peak). If I can get a mix that will generate sufficiently high yields of CO2 for a week, so the bottle only needs changing once a week, then I might give it a go.

I've noticed that an outlet is selling half price PH controllers on ebay at the moment (£100) and I can get a basic soleniod valve for £29 from an electronics supplier, so not tooo much money.

had one 2ltr bottle running on a 300ltr tank i use to unhook it at night without a problem, untill the Ph crashed due to low KH.

Did you lose much ? It's my biggest fear losing the fish to a ph crash.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

I'm using a watered down version of what you are stating there. I have a DIY yeast brew connected to a two way tap (one of those blue, cheap plastic ones). One outlet goes to the tank as normal, via a check vavlve for safety. the other is connected to another check valve which then vents to atmosphere. The idea behind it is that at night I can open the vent to atmosphere tap and effectively shut off the CO2 whilst not allowing oxygen into the system. When oxygen gets in the yeast goes aerobic. It grows faster when it does this, so the mixture will not last as long. In the morning I just close teh tap again and let the pressure build again. The tap to the tank is open at all times. Works for me! If I had a solenoid I'd wire it up to the lights, making the whole thing automatic.

WK

 

[simonbrown403]

Here's the woman i got my solenoid off reasonable price.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-solenoid-for-aqu...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[karlp]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-solenoid-for-aqu...1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for that!

 

[karlp]

Just to update this, I've found someone on ebay at the moment doing PH controllers for £69.99, so should be able to do the 'hi-tec' idea for about £100, so I'm going to give it a go. I'll put up my findings.

Maybe slightly mad, but my worst CO2 nightmare is losing my fish to a problem with a regulated pressurised setup and no ph controller and I don't really want to shell out big money yet for that kind of setup, so hi-tec diy it is... for now...

 

[George Farmer]

my worst CO2 nightmare is losing my fish to a problem with a regulated pressurised setup and no ph controller

Some may say that a pH controller will more likely cause a loss of fish. If the pH probe breaks or leaves the water then you'll get constant CO2 output.

I have run my pressurized CO2 24/7 for months with no problem. Ironically the pH/CO2 is more stable (than CO2-light only, I have tested both methods) this way and the plants are pearling within minutes of lighting.

Personally I'd prefer to spend £100 on a pressurized cylinder and reg. You can always save up for the pH controller and solenoid afterwards.

I understand your reasoning though and wish you luck with it. It's certainly a novel idea.