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Thread: trouble with DIY CO2

  1. #1
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    trouble with DIY CO2

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    after 2-3 rounds of success with DIY CO2 - i'm having some trouble now...

    for some reason, i'm unable to produce any CO2 despite doing (what i thought) the same thing i did previously...

    1) wash container with tap water
    2) boil a pot of water
    3) dissolve sugar in pot
    4) pour sugar solution into container
    5) wait for container to cool down
    6) activate some yeast
    7) pour the yeast into container
    wait for CO2 bubbles to emerge

    what could go wrong?

    - i read that yeast will not survive if there is bacteria/germs - so perhaps i have to sterilize the container with hot water after step #1?
    - is the temperature at step #5 important? must be warm during step #7?

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by gentle View Post
    after 2-3 rounds of success with DIY CO2 - i'm having some trouble now...

    for some reason, i'm unable to produce any CO2 despite doing (what i thought) the same thing i did previously...

    1) wash container with tap water
    2) boil a pot of water
    3) dissolve sugar in pot
    4) pour sugar solution into container
    5) wait for container to cool down
    6) activate some yeast
    7) pour the yeast into container
    wait for CO2 bubbles to emerge

    what could go wrong?

    - i read that yeast will not survive if there is bacteria/germs - so perhaps i have to sterilize the container with hot water after step #1?
    - is the temperature at step #5 important? must be warm during step #7?
    Hi gentle,

    personally I'm doing DIY CO2 for 4 of my tanks also... procedures wise, a bit different from yours... There's once where I was lazy in the process - did not wait for my sugar solution to cool down before adding yeast & baking soda - & I had to wait quite long before the mixture even started producing CO2. So nowadays, I always make it a point to add Yeast & Baking Soda after sugar solution is cool...

    For your case, could it be the yeast is 'dead' already? [Just thinking of possibilities here...] Hope you solve your problem soon...

    Regards.

  3. #3
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    How do you 'activate some yeast'?
    For me, I just drop the yeast from its pack into the solution of sugar and just wait for the manifestation...sometimes (very seldom though) I do experience less than normal outcome 7 it could be due to the sugar solution mixture (too much sugar?) or the quality of the yeast.
    At those times, I just shrug it off and just remix again and enjoy the process again..

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    to activate yeast,
    1) i use a small shot glass, add some hot water (about 1-2 spoon)
    2) wait for it to cool down until it is lukewarm (~40degrees C)
    3) pour about 1/2 teaspoon of yeast into the glass
    4) shake the glass and dissolve the yeast
    5) sprinkle some sugar
    6) shake the glass to dissolve the sugar
    7) wait 5-10mins

    usually after waiting, there will be bubbles foaming on the surface, if not, then i'll pour away and repeat...

    - i also read that yeast will "die" if the water is too hot - so i usually wait until it is lukewarm before step #3

    are my concerns valid?

    don't want to waste 2 cups of sugar everytime i "reset" - that's why i hope to find the root cause

    thanks

  5. #5
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    my diy precess is more simple; here's the link to read

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

    Check to see if there's any leak somewhere which is normally area easily prone to happen if you are using my same setup

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    My guess is either the yeast are inactive already or the water too warm it killed them. Tap water at room temperature will do. I store unused yeast in the fridge.

    My workflow is:

    1) wash previously used 2L CO2 pet bottle with tap water
    2) dissolve 2 cups sugar in a separate tea pot of tap water with about 1/2 tsp baking soda
    3) pour sugar solution into pet bottle, top up with more tap water to about the 3/4 mark
    4) add 1/4 tsp yeast into pet bottle without shaking
    5) wait for CO2 bubbles to emerge

    Last about 3 weeks.
    koah fong
    Juggler's tanks

  7. #7
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    i didn't use any baking soda in my CO2 process...maybe i'll get some and try...

    have also checked that there is no leak (i press the bottle slowly, and the air will flow down the tube at the other end)

    more questions:
    1) no need to "activate" the yeast first?
    2) does the sugar solution have to be warm before yeast is added?

  8. #8
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    I think you either have a leak somewhere or you using a ceramic diffuser. A better way to check for leak is to use your fingers to stopper the ends and the squeeze the bottle. Do the whole procedure underwater and you will see the leak as a stream of bubbles.

    If you are using those ceramic diffuser thingy, you may need a certain pressure in the bottle before it will see bubbles come out.

    No need to activate the yeast. No need it to be warm.

    ck

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    Re: trouble with DIY CO2

    hi all i'm alittle confused . the diy co2 produces more co2 in the 500ml bottle or the 2l one. am using the 2l setup now and produces so much co2 till spot algae appear all over.

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    Re: trouble with DIY CO2

    Quote Originally Posted by gentle View Post
    - i read that yeast will not survive if there is bacteria/germs - so perhaps i have to sterilize the container with hot water after step #1?
    - is the temperature at step #5 important? must be warm during step #7?
    I have faced this problem and posted about it - http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=54198
    A rolling stone which has come to rest

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    Re: trouble with DIY CO2

    did u see foam on the surface? if yes, most properly there is already co2 produced, just that it must have leaked somewhere. your bottle cap and tubing there!!! check!

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    Re: trouble with DIY CO2

    Quote Originally Posted by gentle View Post
    after 2-3 rounds of success with DIY CO2 - i'm having some trouble now...

    for some reason, i'm unable to produce any CO2 despite doing (what i thought) the same thing i did previously...

    1) wash container with tap water
    2) boil a pot of water
    3) dissolve sugar in pot
    4) pour sugar solution into container
    5) wait for container to cool down
    6) activate some yeast
    7) pour the yeast into container
    wait for CO2 bubbles to emerge

    what could go wrong?

    - i read that yeast will not survive if there is bacteria/germs - so perhaps i have to sterilize the container with hot water after step #1?
    - is the temperature at step #5 important? must be warm during step #7?

    When you do step 6. Make sure you activate the yeast properly with some sugar. You will be able to smell the CO2, smells sour. Then add into your container. I don't use warm or hot water as it risk killing yeast.

    I also just started using DIY CO2. It works for me. I add RICE into the recipe too. Recipe is not from me. Its from another person. It helps to maintain the CO2.

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    Re: trouble with DIY CO2

    bro, yeast cannot stand too hot conditions.
    you'll need baking soda, i learnt the hard way

    To confirm if it worked, after mixing WAIT 15 minutes. (Patience is a virtue )
    1: Starts to smell sour
    2: Bubbles are produced. (can be small ones or if you shake alot come out)
    Learning the hardway, not the highway.
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    Re: trouble with DIY CO2

    i think your yeast has expired.. they do have a shelf life.. and benefit from being stored in the fridge..

    or.. like CK Yeo said .. you got a leak.....
    Jerry

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    Re: trouble with DIY CO2

    Quote Originally Posted by AA24 View Post
    i think your yeast has expired.. they do have a shelf life.. and benefit from being stored in the fridge..

    or.. like CK Yeo said .. you got a leak.....
    do yeast have shelf life? i mean expiry date? i didn't know that...
    anyway i buy small packs that have sachets of 5 in them so not really alot.
    Learning the hardway, not the highway.
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  16. #16
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    trouble with DIY CO2

    Nice wirte up man, simple and it looks good, I noticed you dont say anything about the lighting setup, did you decide no to use any? This should be added to the DIY info section.

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