CO2 bubbler "slime"

[Lady Hobbs]

What's up with that slime? I get so much of it in two days time the bubbles can't even come out. I put the bubble counter away yesterday and tried an airstone. I had to clean the slime off that twice today. Now I'm trying an airline bubbler.

Does anyone here use the Fizz Factory and if so, how does that work for you?

[genitor]

I get slime on my airstone too but it doesn't stop the bubbles and my snails seem to like eating it off.

[Lady Hobbs]

I just afraid the bubbles will get blocked and the bottle will build up pressure.

[RobbieG]

I squeeze a couple of good sized dings into the side of my bottle so I can see if pressure is building up.

[ChurchofAdam]

heh, that's actually a really good idea... you might hear it pop back into shape, like a warning alarm. just thinking diy aloud here but you could totally make an emergency pressure valve... just think like those check valves aquarium stores sell... it's a little chamber with a spring loaded stopper. once the pressure is greater than the spring power, it vents... of course, there'd be no way to know that you're venting co2 instead of getting it in the tank

[Zerileous]

another way to make an emergency pressure valve is to take an airline T, sand down the barbs, and put a rubber cap of sorts on it. I have never done it myself, but read about it here. It seems like it would be a little difficult to get set up properly, but once done, a good safety measure.

[Dave-id]

If you're using a two liter pop bottle, it will NOT burst.
I installed a valve stem (for tires) into the lid of one a little while ago, and pressurized it up to about 160 PSI. It swelled up a little but did not burst. Then I threw it around a bit, hoping it would pop, but it still wouldn't. Eventually I was hitting it with a shovel and still couldn't get it to blow.
Those things are TOUGH.

I doubt your lines and fittings could even handle more than about 20PSI, so I would not be worried about pressure buildup blowing your bottle up.
(Unless you're using something other than a pop bottle.)

[RobbieG]

Thats good to know - but I have to know - why were you doing that?

[Dave-id]

Don't try this at home, but I was mainly just trying to pop the bottle. A regular party balloon can make a decent bang at like 4 Psi...
I did manage to keep things safe for at least a little while. I wore safety goggles and gloves, and I connected the valve stem to the tire chuck before opening the valve to the air supply from a safe distance. This was also not in a residential area.

[RobbieG]

I was actually kinda hoping you would say that - glad you were careful not to put an eye out!