DIY CO2 System

[AABatteries]

Well, I'm finally getting around to making the DIY CO2 system for my 30g. So far, I've got my two liter bottle(s). Caps drilled. So, all I need is my check valves and a 16oz bottle for the gas separator. I'm using airline tubing, I've heard that you should get co2 tubing, but also heard airline tubing works just fine. The tube has an air-tight seal right now, but I plan on putting silicone around it. And probably getting some bulkheads if I can ever find them around here. Shipping is what stops me from buying off line, its always more than the little miscellaneous item you need. Anyways, I'll go take some pictures of what I have so far.

[AABatteries]

Crap! Took longer than 15 minutes.

PICTURES!
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[AABatteries]

Got my check valves and t's. Now I need a 16oz bottle to use as a gas separator.

[Davered00ss]

Looks more involved than I thought it was. I just thought you put yeast, sugar & water in a 2 liter bottle and run tubbing to the tank. guess not. :)

Keep up posted, I may do this too.

[Commodore 64]

You don't need silicone or bulkheads. Silicone won't stick well to the caps anyways, it is a waste of time and effort.

I use silicone airline tubing and have never had a leak. If you have a check valve and aren't sucking your CO2 out using a powerhead or something, you don't really need a 16-oz knock out vessel.

[AABatteries]

Well, got all the work done it needed last night, just need the yeast and an airstone now, I'll probably end up getting a diffuser eventually. And I have to get a co2 tets kit too.

[Commodore 64]

Well, got all the work done it needed last night, just need the yeast and an airstone now, I'll probably end up getting a diffuser eventually. And I have to get a co2 tets kit too.

You have to remember that DIY CO2 does not have much pressure. You probably need something like a Hagen Ladder or powerhead to diffuse the CO2. An airstone may even be too much resistance...

[country_boy454]

Or you could use a bell type set up. I did this with great success on my 29.

[AABatteries]

That looks simple enough, and I've heard bells are better than airstones.

[country_boy454]

With an air stone the CO2 bubbles just float to the top and escape. Not much CO2 is absorbed into the water.

[tim k]

You can get silicone tubing and fittings from your local hobby store that work much better than standard tubing over time.

You Tube is an awesome place to see all the different ideas for diffusers.

This one is close to what I am using on my tank and it works very well
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Tim K

[AABatteries]

I've seen that one. I got everything I needed and set-up up, but it hasn't produced any co2 yet. =( I think screwed something up.

[tim k]

Fresh yeast and warm water not hot.
Apparently hot kills the yeast.

Just changed mine and had bubbles within a couple minutes.

Also make sure your tubing is not leaking at the cap.

Tim K

[AABatteries]

On the side of the yeast thing it says the max water temp is 115°F and I know the water I put in wasn't that hot, I'd say around 90°F. Cap is on tight too, I made sure the system was air tight before I put the yeast in. So that isn't the problem. :l

[AABatteries]

Good and bad news at the same time.

I now have co2 coming out, but only at about 1 bubble every 3 or 4 seconds, when it should be 3 or 4 bubbles every second. Guess it just needed time to sit.

[country_boy454]

When I do mine, I always have to wait a good 30 mins or longer before the first CO2 bubble is produced. DIY CO2 isn't a constant 3-4 bubbles per second. It starts slow, then builds up to max output then slows down again.

[Davered00ss]

Any Pic's of the completed set up?

[AABatteries]

I'll get some pics later(before 5pm EST, since entries close at 6pm) when I'm taking TOTM shots. It probably reached its high point while I was sleeping because its at 1 bubble/3 seconds. I had to wait 4 hours for my first bubble.

[country_boy454]

It shouldn't reach its high point for a couple days. I know when mine was at peak it would be at like 4-5 bps.

[Davered00ss]

I just did my own today. Not sure about the amounts to mix. How much fresh yeast do you use?

[country_boy454]

]This ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) is how I did mine. Has the recipe in it plus some pics and what not.

[AABatteries]

Sorry, I haven't got any pics, some other things have been happening and I've been busy lately.