How Much Yeast In Diy Co2?

[Gurglar]

Just want to know how much yeast people think I should put in my DIY Co2 bottle for my 5 gallon tank I accidently put 1 teaspoon of yeast and 2 cups of sugar in the first batch which is way to much and I don't wanna really waste the sugar as i've only got a little left at the moment.

Would 1/2 a teaspoon of yeast still be to much for such a tiny tank or should i only use 1/4 of a teaspoon??

 

[aaronnorth]

i would go with half a teaspoon first. how are you measuring the CO2 levels?

 

[loraxchick]

i use a half teaspoon yeast, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 tsp baking soda in 2 16 oz tandem soda bottles. works great. they generally last about 4-5 days depending on ambient temp. so be sure to remix alternately.
cheers

 

[Gurglar]

Whats the difference in using baking soda in the mixture cause i'm only using suger and yeast??

I'm using a drop checker to measure the Co2 levels.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Whats the difference in using baking soda in the mixture cause i'm only using suger and yeast??

Baking soda acts as a pH buffer, because if the carbonic acid created by the yeast causes the pH to dip too low, the yeast won't be able to produce as much CO2 if any at all. If you have extremely hard water, baking soda may not be necessary.

 

[Mr Bliss]

Yeah, you'll be able to buy a couple more days with the use of baking soda if your water is soft.

Feel free to experiment with the amount of yeast and sugar, as well as only changing part of the mixture (2/3 is what I do) in a bottle at a time. Just make sure you record what you did so you don't end up like me. I once got very steady production from a mixture for 2 weeks straight, and have never been able to repeat that because I can't for the life of me remember what I did differently that time.

 

[loraxchick]

Yeah, you'll be able to buy a couple more days with the use of baking soda if your water is soft.

Feel free to experiment with the amount of yeast and sugar, as well as only changing part of the mixture (2/3 is what I do) in a bottle at a time. Just make sure you record what you did so you don't end up like me. I once got very steady production from a mixture for 2 weeks straight, and have never been able to repeat that because I can't for the life of me remember what I did differently that time.

excellent point!
the less yeast you use initially, the longer it will take to GET co2 from them, but the longer it will last in the long run. ive been mixing my own for over a year and the "recipe" i gave above seems to be the best compromise for co2 production and longevity. just make sure you have more than one bottle running and mix them alternately.
to set it up, mix both bottles and the third day after you get co2(might take a day or so to get the flow going), remix one bottle...three days later the other and so on. that way it is steady. and yes, i have relatively soft water which is why i need baking soda buffer. also good to point out that you should be careful abot which type of airline tubing you use. the "normal" clear stuff degrades in the presence of co2, so look for a silicone type (the ones around here are blue). and if using an airstone instead of a diffuser/ladder, go the ceramic route...not the typical pumice-y type as they will fall apart in NO time. a little extra cost but saves money in the long run.
cheers!