Problems with DIY co2

[mowielx]

Hi all,

So i thought i would try out diy co2 and put it on my little tank which im planning on planting and keeping shrimp.

I have two 2litre bottles which i have mixed two cups of sugar, 1/2 tsp of yeast and half a teaspoon of bicarb soda and filled with tap temperature water to the neck. I then have these two bottles connected to a t piece, then a one way valve then an airstone under an upside down cup.

Anyway i have had this set up for almost three hours and it is still not bubbling, how long does it normally take for you guys?

Cheers
Tom

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

If you use warm water to mix the yeast and activate it. That will speed things up a bit.

But usually for me it takes about 48-72 hours to get a steady reaction.

 

[mowielx]

Thanks mate,

I thought that i had buggered everything up but ill just give it some time. I didn't want to use warm water as i thought that would kill the yeast.

Cheers

Tom

 

[sostoudt]

If you use warm water to mix the yeast and activate it. That will speed things up a bit.

But usually for me it takes about 48-72 hours to get a steady reaction.

yep.



read the package it will tell you the temperature it requires to activate the yeast. usually its 100-110 degrees farenheit. if you go to high the yeast will die.

 

[mowielx]

Ok, so its finally producing co2 which i have running into my tank through and air stone which is directly under a upsidedown 500ml container. It only emits a small of co2 through the airstone each 30 seconds but that is getting trapped in the upside down container and then there is sooo much that it fills then bubbles under the container. Will my water still be absorbing enough co2?

Cheers
Tom

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

99% of the time DIY co2 set ups do absolutely nothing for a tank.

The way to tell if you are getting any co2 into the water column is to check the PH levels daily. If you notice a drop in Ph then you are getting some co2 in the water.

I stopped using it a while back after 2 years on my 55g planted. I was running 4 2liter bottles. 2 bottles run to each power head. I had the power heads run very low in the tank and the co2 air line run to the under side of the power heads inlet. So that the co2 bubbles would get chewed up by the power head motor and hopefully help absorption.

I never noticed any PH lowering and was told that it would take 10 2liter bottles of DIY co2 to make a difference.

And since i was only growing amazon swords, Val's, and Lilly's I stopped using it. And my plants are doing great.

I am not trying to talk you out of your adventure here by any means. But you might want to read the sticky at the top of the planted section about the CO2 myth.

I think that the only thing needed to grow most/all moderate light plants is a good source of light. And a moderate fish stocking for nutrients.

I have a 130 watt Pc fixture on my 55g and it works great for me.

Good luck to ya.