Nutrafin Co2 Waste Bottle Modification

[craynerd]

Hi Guys

I’m just wondering if this modification is similar to what you have done, simple i know, but its at the back of the tank so completely out of sight!!

This is also a warning to all other nooby`s adding nutrafin CO2 units...beware of yeast over spill!!!

It happened to me, nobody warned me and i`m sure if i had read a post like this i would have stopped and thought.

Lots of people who want CO2 as a starter system plunge for the nutrafin unit, yeast base system. Its very effective for the smaller tanks and has certainly allowed me to maintain a nice 30ppm CO2 concentration in my 72 liter tank. BUT with my own DIY mix! You will soon realize the nutrafin own mix is rubbish and expensive for what it is!
So i started by adding my own mix as recommended on here...wanting more CO2 (to get to the 30ppm mark) i added more yeast......then one day it decided to foam up, so much that it forced the yeast based solution up the tube and into my tank! Luckily i got it in time without too much ill effect but i know it has totally destroyed some people tanks and would have mine if my girlfriend hadn`t spotted the water clouding just before bed!!!!

Anyway....

a) Just checking that this system is acceptable, i know its simple but it seems to be working well and i`ve had it running for the last 2 weeks. Just takes a bit to build pressure in the bottle but then when its filled works as normal, with the added protection that if it overspills it goes into the bottle and not the tank!

B) Maybe this could be a good reference post to point nooby planters to just to make them aware of the yeast overspill situation should you recommend them a nutrfin system (or if they make their own for that matter!)

I know i`ve not been on here long, but this is the one thing i wanted to share with other noobys in my experiences so far. Like i said, if the girlfriend hadn`t spotted it, it would have destroyed my tank!
I`m sure you guys have more complex and neater system to control this...ideas certainly welcomed!

Chris

 

[Graeme Edwards]

It looks okay to me.

Its abit like an over sized bubble counter, id have to say i looks abit over kill though.

But if you cant see it then it doesnt realy matter as long as it works.

Nice one.

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh I would have said this was a DIY bubble counter, had thought the same thing myself, but went pressurised before I had a chance to try it out. Glad its working for you Chris Will be sure to point people in this direction when they ask about DIY CO2.

I'm guessing this will also stop that stupid white fluffy growth stuff you also get with DIY yeast mixes?

Sam

 

[craynerd]

I have tried it as a bubble counter then removed the water since it is hanging on its own weight, The bottom tube goes all the way to the bottom of the bottle but even with a little water in, i didnt want to risk the weight ripping the tubes out of the top. If i had somewhere to rest it i would.

I have even thought about making a better quality unit that i could use as a bubble counter, but since i`m looking to upgrade to pressurised asap, to be perfectly honest, it aint broke so for now i`m not gonna fix it!!

With regards to over kill. I was gonna use a 2 liter bottle but then measured that there is just less than 1 liter in the nutrafin system..then add bubbles and foam...no point in risking it reaching the tank...this way there is plenty of room for any overflow!

Chris

 

[Themuleous]

Haha good point, plenty of space for overflow in there! One thing, if is does overflow would this not risk pulling the tubes as well, if its not being supported?

Sam

 

[lljdma06]

I have never had a problem with yeast leakage (sp), but it's great that you are trying to figure out a solution to this issue, which can wreak havoc in tanks. For me, I simply do not fill the mixture to the top notch, I fill it about 2cm below, as recommended by Jimbooo, and I don't have a problem. But perhaps your room temperature is higher than mine or you have better yeast than I.

I'm glad your solution is working for you.

 

[craynerd]

Sam,

The connections are sealed into the lid. Should a full leak occur and the 2 L bottle becomes full, i am almost sure it has enough strength to hold the weight of the liquid for a day or so until i reaslised. With regards to the bubble counter, the liquid would be in there constantly meaning a perminant strain on the tubes and lid. I hope this makes sense? Basically, the join is strong and will certainly hold it for a week or two, but to put constant weight on the bottle with regards to a bubble counter...i wouldnt like to take the risk.

Besides...i`m half way to converting my fire extinguisher!!!

 

[jimbooo]

I have never had a problem with yeast leakage (sp), but it's great that you are trying to figure out a solution to this issue, which can wreak havoc in tanks. For me, I simply do not fill the mixture to the top notch, I fill it about 2cm below, as recommended by Jimbooo, and I don't have a problem. But perhaps your room temperature is higher than mine or you have better yeast than I.

I'm glad your solution is working for you.

exactly the reason why i fill 2cm short. too many mad panic water changes as a result of over generous yeast. the problem is much more relevant in the summer when my flat can get pretty hot in the daytime.

good idea with the over flow bottle craynerd, overkill maybe but you wont have any yeast in your tank thats for sure.

 

[RYO]

I use one of these

serves as an over flow too, mind my tube run to the bubble counter is pretty long, and as jimbooo said fill to just below the mark.

 

[craynerd]

jimboo, i left the 2 cm gap below the nutrafin mark as u suggested and it still leaked in. It just foamed right up!

My light starter boxes are very near and i wonder if they add to the warmth!

Chris

 

[Bloo]

Am I missing something, but isn't the easiest way just just add a one-way valve in the airline

 

[RYO]

The 1 way valve wont stop it as it needs to flow to the tank, otherwise the co2 wont be released.

 

[craynerd]

the CO2 and yeast mix are both going in the same direction...into the tank!

 

[Bloo]

Oh - that would be why then

 

[RYO]

Just a thought Chris, what mix are you using?