View Full Version : can DIY CO2 explode?
ws66370
06-12-2008, 9:36 AM
I have DIY co2 in a 2 liter. I am about to leave town for a few days and plan on blacking out my tank to work on some green water so i will not need the co2 for a few days. if i cap it is there any chance the pressure will build too much and explode?
thanks,
Wes
KarlTh
06-12-2008, 9:37 AM
It's almost guaranteed that it will.
Sploke
06-12-2008, 9:39 AM
Yep. Just leave it open to vent into the air. Breweries have had stainless steel fermenters crack/blow valves off because someone mistakenly sealed them up with an active ferment inside...I don't think a 2L bottle will pose much problem.
jmhart
06-12-2008, 11:25 AM
As long as it is running into the water, it' won't explode. The water acts as a pressure relief. The co2 will bubble into the water before the bottle ever comes close to exploding.
Mgamer20o0
06-12-2008, 12:33 PM
given time it can..... but.... it takes what 75-100 psi before it does.....
jmhart
06-12-2008, 12:45 PM
given time it can..... but.... it takes what 75-100 psi before it does.....
Assuming there is no blockage in your line, it can't explode. The only issue is if there is a blockage. This could be made possible if you have a cheap check valve that seizes up.
However, even at that point, there isn't much to worry about. I make homeade sodas using as similar recipe to DIY CO2, except I add some flavoring. I then seal up the bottle and let it sit. I've let bottles sit for 2 weeks without incident. The bubbles ballon out, but they don't explode. These are plastic 2L soda bottles to which I refer.
Sploke
06-12-2008, 3:09 PM
The original question the OP stated was if he blacked out the tank, could he cap off his CO2 so it wouldn't run in the tank while it was blacked out. If you seal off an active ferment in a plastic bottle, then the answer is yes, it will explode, given enough time. 2L soda bottles are good for 100+psi (ask me how I know ;) ). If you keep the co2 mixture running into the tank or just into the air, then no it won't explode.
Mgamer20o0
06-12-2008, 3:10 PM
mythbusters sploke...... lol...... anyone willing to test out how long it takes to explode?
Sploke
06-12-2008, 3:16 PM
did mythbusters try it? We used to build rockets out of soda bottles. Lock the bottle on and use a compressor to charge it up to about 80-100psi, then slide the handle down and FOOOM, we could get them like 100+ feet in the air.
No firsthand knowledge but I have read one report of a DIY CO2 bottle exploding. Here it is. This person was using a glass bottle.
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/yeast-disaster.html
Mgamer20o0
06-12-2008, 3:29 PM
glass is going to be different then a 2l bottle.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6943201001782160188
jmhart
06-12-2008, 3:40 PM
Well, for sure glass explodes. Your typcial glass container is only rated for about 5 psi of pressure.
ws66370
06-12-2008, 3:48 PM
well i guess i will not cap it then.
if i just left it running for a few days with the lights of any danger of co2 overdose?
fyi this is diy co2 1x 2L bottle on a 29 gallon tank
well i guess i will not cap it then.
if i just left it running for a few days with the lights of any danger of co2 overdose?
fyi this is diy co2 1x 2L bottle on a 29 gallon tank
Why not just remove the tube from the bottle (or just uncap it) and let the CO2 escape for a few days? No point in adding CO2 to the tank if it's not going to be used.
mavisky
06-12-2008, 4:51 PM
That little of an amount should be fine unless you're on a very aggressive yeast/sugar mix.
My mix runs all on its own through 2 diffusers and I've got 4 2-liters running on an 11-14 day mixture on my 55. Runs all day and all night and my PH is right around 7.3 or so.