DIY CO2 Trinity System ver. 1.0

[Blue Whale]

Hi all,

Recently saw some postings on DIY CO2, the usual...1 CO2 Canister + 1 Filter. Usually runs out in 3 weeks according to my current models, which I have decommissioned two of them. So the questions pops up "Why not combine two into one", assuming the formula for CO2 tweets a bit should be able to negate any pressure built up. As such Trinity System v1 is born.

I am still in the midst of constructing and conceptualising this. So here is the initial design.



Initial Costings:

Description.......................Cost ea.............Qty........Total
Snow 2m 15mm UPVC........6.50..................1...........$6.50
L Joints..............................0.80..................4...........$3.20
T Joints..............................0.90..................1...........$0.90
Ender.................................0.80..................2...........$1.60
1L No Frill Fruit Juice Can....1.00..................4...........$4.00

Total Cost: $16.20

Other Parts:

- Nam Kang K-Flex PU Tube 0604
Currently got more than 1m, got it from Biotope a while ago so forget the cost.

- Backflow value
Also forget cost

[Blue Whale]

The initial top portion is what I find the easiest to construct.

Using my old faithful Battery Operated Black and Decker Drill, I managed to drill a small hole follow by using my NT Blade cutter to cut through the cap. Thereafter, I file the edges. Joints are all silicone sealed.



In order to drill one big hole, I can't really use your regular drink bottle. So I found myself a 1 litre Fruit Juice bottle from Shop and Save. Now here is the difficult portion. Even though the cap itself is big enough, my tests shows that when I squeeze it, pockets of air is escaping. So I might need to waste a bottle for now.



This is how the cap looks like:



This would be the portion where I will need to redo. Using maybe an ender to go through that cap instead of using a UPVC to do it. That should provide more strength. So as I have highlighted I am currently still in the midst of construction. Do stay tuned.

Have 2 CO2 canisters does not necessary means you will take it longer, less you added more Bicarbonate of Soda and less yeast to your mix. So this gets more interesing later on when it is finished for testings. =) Hope you will enjoy this.

[Blaze88]

Hmm, i do not get what is the filter for? as in a canister filter?

Also, i have a similar setup where i combined two CO2 reactors into one, they last the same period of time as 1 reactor but i get more bps.

[Blue Whale]

Hmm, i do not get what is the filter for? as in a canister filter?

Also, i have a similar setup where i combined two CO2 reactors into one, they last the same period of time as 1 reactor but i get more bps.

Blaze, you posted whilst I was still editing the post, no choice AQ got timeout for postings. Maybe you just read on you will understand why it was call Trinity in the first place. ^^

[Blue Whale]

-.-" Just screw up another cap again, drill to close to the edge. Luckily CNY gives me opportunity to collect a few of them just in case I blew the job up.

Finished with the cap using Nam Kang K-Flex PU Tube 0604, and silicone it. Using a small satay stick and an ice cream stick, I managed to fill holes which are not able to silicone into. Hopefully this third attempt on the third cap will sealed up the areas completely. I might need to silicone another two times before I can finalise the cap. Looks like I can't finish off Trinity today. Left Hand numbing from holding the drill. Think I will go for my biking first then come back and finish off with the ender cap. Ender cap is the cap that you use to seal the end of the UPVC pipe.

[Purin]

This looks interesting... I love DIY projects

[bossteck]

The use of more than 1 yeast reactor is not new, in fact, people who use it stagger the 2 reactors so that both do not need to be recharged at the same time thereby maintaining a slightly more constant supply of co2.

Any reason why you're using pvc tubing to connect the 2 reactors instead of just using air line tubings?

[felix_fx2]

I don't understand the use of PVC piping for Yeast Co2.
I also used 2 bottles when i tried DIY co2, but it still does not maintain output for long.

My previous setup, i used 2 bottles of 2Litre bottles.
Everyday i have nightmares of the bottle exploding due to the pressure from my "Agar agar formula".

BTW, are you still going to link them up to a bubble counter after the "filter" section
(Guessing its a catchment for the muck from DIY co2)

[ranmasatome]

2 bottles doesn't make it last longer at all. Gas still comes out at the same rate from each bottle, you just have double the amount.
The only way would to make it last longer, would be to initiate the start of each bottle at different times, which really is quite silly...and pointless since i can have a one bottle setup and do the same.

[stormhawk]

If this project doesn't work out, he has a rig ready for live food culture, in particular green water with live Daphnia/Moina.

[eviltrain]

If this project doesn't work out, he has a rig ready for live food culture, in particular green water with live Daphnia/Moina.

looks good for brine shrimps too.

[felix_fx2]

2 bottles doesn't make it last longer at all. Gas still comes out at the same rate from each bottle, you just have double the amount.
The only way would to make it last longer, would be to initiate the start of each bottle at different times, which really is quite silly...and pointless since i can have a one bottle setup and do the same.

If this project doesn't work out, he has a rig ready for live food culture, in particular green water with live Daphnia/Moina.

Ranma san, i can't agree more. When starting 2nd bottle, pressure built-up is lost and it takes alot of effort to make 1 bottle ( on a per week basis ).

stormhawk, i didn't know that live food culture could reuse that. Care to share?

[Blue Whale]

PVC is to equalise the pressure. You can't expect your mix to be equal all the time. The same pressure will be squeeze into one channel. I am expecting lesser on the yeast powder. I might need something to measure the yeast this time round. Today will go back and silicone the other side of the cap. Once it is swee swee (beautiful), I might use a pen knife to cut off the excess parts then start to silicone the entire filter so only the CO2-1 and CO2-2 caps will be screwable. The filter will not, that is why must ensure no leakage of any air pockets.

This is only v1. Heh Heh. I will let you know how long it last heh heh...it will be my secret recipe.

Of course it is not to rotate. To rotate between two bottles you need valves to shutoff the pipes. Plastic tubes like the normal soft one cannot make it after 3 weeks. The hard one cannot make it after 6-12 mths. So I am trying this Nam Kung tube.

Maybe I can have a rocket booster design with CO1 to CO4 later..heh heh and valves operated. But that will have to wait.

Stormy ar...muai tank is currently almost 99% free of algae with 50-60% planted. ^^ might not be feasible for your tiny little friends...heh heh.

[eviltrain]

Maybe I can have a rocket booster design with CO1 to CO4 later..heh heh and valves operated. But that will have to wait.

looks like those james bond jet pack in making. good luck.

[Blue Whale]

Eviltrain, I actually found another kind of tube, its in between the usual small tube and eheim tube. So its like a medium size tube. I am considering that for v2 but here is the thing, I have not see any T joints or L joints for this type of tubing.

^^ I do have another kinda pipes that is "sightly" smaller than UPVC 15mm but it cannot withstand pressure without silicone...kee kee. Blew the entire set of pipes last time when I test the CO2 tank, turn up the regulator at more than 20ppm...quite fun. ha ha. Controlled environment of course, no harm to my then 3ft tank.

Tonight going to stop work first, need to use Osim to do some electric therapy. Hands still numb from yester-evening drill and 4km biking. Stop drilling and work a bit on the cap silicone after 5-6 bar of electric charge into left right hands acu points...typing with one hand now ^^"

[stormhawk]

felix, one bottle can be used to grow green water, and the other bottle used to grow daphnia/moina. Just use the green water to feed the Moina.

They can share an airline system through the pipework if necessary.

[Blue Whale]

Okies, tomorrow one more night of siliconing the system should be up and running, ready for testing. I might need to get some silicone needle injection type on Sunday to seal off any pockets.

Meantime. Trinity v.2 Rocket Booster design I have just completed it tonight. It looks so efficient that I almost want to give up on v.1 design ^^" hee hee. Rocket Boosters will consist of 3xCO2 input instead of just 2. It will still have a water filter but this would be the head. The 3xCO2 would be the body which really looks like a rocket booster lol. Worksmanship would be more challenging on the drilling end still. Kaoz...I have been dreaming of getting impact drill since 15 years old. ha...

[edwardchuajh]

heh isnt the impact portion of impact drills used for drilling into concrete only?

I think you just need to get a corded drill, the batt-operated ones I've used before and often lacks the power.

BTW, I have always not seen the cost savings in using DIY CO2 vs. a pressurised tank in the long run.. hmm

lastly, post the Rocket up soon! lol I am very interested in culturing Daphnia at the moment, v1 looks to be inspiration for such a system according to stormhawk =)

[Blue Whale]

Ha ha...I have been wanting to get it but I never got it. Hands numb a bit but the battery one still do the job of punching through that thick pvc. I just got toothpaste size one silicone (clear). Since I am clearing tank at the moment, trinity is hold off from testing tentatively although I will still complete it. Wed-Fri on leave...heh heh.

Pressurised tank most people have 1 right? So what happen when you need to top up? No CO2 for 1-2weeks? If you get on the spot then good for you like people living in the east. There is one near to them. Bedok North Industrial Area if I did not remember wrongly.

O.O v1 not completed yet post v2? ha ha...make you itchy itchy first...lol. Go finish your lights first. Should be interesting.

[felix_fx2]

Hands still numb from yester-evening drill and 4km biking.

Biking? 4KM K.O already?
Time to bring you to the world of overnight biking.

Since I am clearing tank at the moment, trinity is hold off from testing tentatively although I will still complete it.

Pressurised tank most people have 1 right? So what happen when you need to top up? No CO2 for 1-2weeks?

Just power the yeast up, as in hokien "mai tu liao" (Stop hesitating).
Now can test if it can provide a constant output.

FYI: my duo formula (improvised) lasted 3 weeks for main supply 1 week for the other (Which eats yeast like cookie monster)

I think adrian has 2 Co2 tanks, in which 1 is for standby.
The thought of having a spare tank for use while the larger one is refilling very much made me over exceed my calculated budget for using Co2.
Thats why you don't see felix with Co2 running in his tank