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Thread: DIY CO2 problem... help?

  1. #1
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    Unhappy DIY CO2 problem... help?

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    Hello..

    I've set up a DIY CO2 but it didn't bubble any CO2 for about 2days.
    I really don't know why. Then, after that, i remake the solution again and this time, it didn't work either. Been two days.

    I've checked the bottle and didn't find any leak. I used Blue-Tak to hold the tube. I just wanna know,

    -If i add too much yeast, what will be the result?
    -Then, what if i add too much baking soda? What is the result?
    -And the water, if i put less, what is the result?
    -Lastly, must all these three elements be balanced in order to function?

    Please help...
    Alvin

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    No sugar no gas...

    Regards
    Peter Gwee

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    No Sugar no gas?? But i've put a lot of sugar as instructed..

    Here are my steps of doing it..

    http://www.petfrd.com/forum/articles...ticle&artid=10

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    Ah...you didn't mentioned it in the first place.

    Did you pour hot water into the sugar/yeast mixture? The sugar is fine with the hot water to allow for better dissolution but you will kill the yeast with it though. So, make sure the water is cooled before adding the yeast. Finally, check the connections with soapy water for leaks. Its easy and will rule out possible leaks.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee

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    1. Get a 1.5L bottle that's previously used for holding carbonated drinks.
    2. Drill a hole in the cap that's just nice for the airtube to fit through. Fit the airtube in and seal with blutack generously.
    3. Get a bottle of yeast, SIS brand fine sugar. Baking soda is optional.
    4. Fill the bottle with sugar up to 2cm in height from the bottom of the bottle.
    5. Fill with water up to the top of the label of the bottle.
    6. Sprinkle enough yeast to cover the top surface area of the water in the bottle.
    7. Do not shake, screw on the cap real tight and leave it aside.

    If CO2 is not produced in a few hours, there can be two problems:

    1. Your CO2 setup has a leak somewhere.
    2. Your yeast is dead. Buy a new bottle.

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    Talking

    Oh, about the warm water right, i did add hot water to dissolve it. Well, not exactly hot, it's warm.. I only fill it up to half of the bottle and after shaking, i add baking soda to the bottle and added tap water until its label. Finally, i add yeast. This time, the water is already neutralised; cool.

    Peter, about the soap, what do you mean? How can i check with that?
    I really don't know. Thanks a lot for replying me this thread.

    Ermm, terence, what you mean by change the bottle? Can't i just pour out the solution, wash and reuse the bottle to make a new DIY CO2??

    Alvin

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    Add some detergent to a cup of water and stir it for a while and you will get soapy water. Rub the soapy water to all connections points of the tubings and see if you get quick formation of bubbles. I think its dead simple after that.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee

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    very interesting Peter, I learnt something today.

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    Hello Peter..

    What do you mean? Bubbles forming at where at? Inside the bottle or on the tube? I just did it and nothing happens..But i do see some bubbles popping up inside the bottle; small ones..

    And i've just opened the bottle cap. And i heard bubbling sound!
    That means, there is some reaction going on.. Is it it got not enough pressure to push the CO2 into the diffuser?
    or there is something wrong with the diffuser?

    Please help. what is the logic behind this?

    Alvin

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    Bubbles forming at the external connections from the bottle to the tubing (external) and cap of the reactor containing the yeast/sugar/baking soda mixture. Test those areas with soapy water and if no bubbles were formed, then there isn't any leaks then.

    Now, you have bubbles in the mixture which means CO2 is forming. What kind of CO2 diffusing equipment are you using?

    Regards
    Peter Gwee

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    The diffuser right, i bought it at clementi blk328 for $5.50. Ceremic on, i think.

    It's very small. It's a round shape with a white 'stone' about 3/4 of its height, embedded inside.

    Hmm.. Sorry.. can't really tell what is it. I also threw away the packaging already. If not, can tell you the name.. So, how? It's been 2 days and i still can't see any bubbles coming out from the diffuser.. SHould i redo everything again? I've done twice...

    Alvin

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    Try this: Just leave the airtube inside your tank. If you see bubbles coming out of the airtube, that means you can't use that diffusor. Some diffusors can't work with DIY CO2. I found that the more simple diffusors work instead.

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    All right, terence. I'll do it now. Hmm.. What you mean by SIMPLE DIFFUSER?
    And where can i get that? thanks a lot for your help and Peter Swee help.

    thank you,

    Alvin

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    Consider the DIY internal reactor w/venturi design by Tom Barr which is posted in the Equipments section. Works great with DIY/Gas CO2...no backpressure..no check-valves needed.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee

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    Oh my, this is no good!!

    There is so many bubbles coming out!!

    About two big bubbles per seconds!! Is it too much for my tank??
    My tank is only 36cm by 16cm by 26cm...

    What should i do now??

    Alvin

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    ermm.... Peter, I've just read about the diffuser. It seems hard for me..
    Just wanna ask you, will it be toxic for the plants if my CO2 is left without any diffuser? I know that a lot of CO2 will be wasted, but will it be significant for the plants? Please help again..

    Thanks a lot.
    Alvin

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    Well it's bubbling. That means there's something wrong with your diffusor.

    Get a simple diffusor, I got mine from Nature Aquarium at Balestier. It's opposite Thomson Medical Centre. You can't miss the display tanks.

    Here's what I bought to use with my DIY CO2:

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    All right, Terence. I will go around and search for this kind of diffuser. I can't go all the way to Balastier.. It's too far away.. Jurong and Balastier?? Cannot lah..

    haha. all right for now. I've got my problem solved. All because of that stupid diffuser. I didn't even think of that. Hmm..

    Terence, so, the tube just leave it inside the tank? Will it inject too much CO2 into the tank and harm my plants? Or should i take it out first, until i buy the simple diffuser?

    Thanks a lot.

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    There can never be too much CO2 for plants. Anyway, just bubbling it like that using an airtube is a very inefficient way of injecting CO2. No worries.

    You can just leave it inside.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by |squee|
    There can never be too much CO2 for plants. Anyway, just bubbling it like that using an airtube is a very inefficient way of injecting CO2. No worries.

    You can just leave it inside.
    Well, not really. There is a limit to CO2 for plants as well. Too much can cause respiration issues. But its usually above critter limit which is where you can likely go unless you don't like your critters.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee

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