View Full Version : DIY co2
HI
i've been thinking about making diy co2 for my tank and i was just wondering what the correct mixture is?:help:
do you use any yeast or is it a certain 1?
plus do these actually work?
thanks :)
Star_Rider
05-06-2009, 5:30 PM
basically any yeast for bread making can be used.. if you prefer to spend a bit more you can purchase wine yeast. it is suppose to be a bit more tolerant of alcohol.
that said the mixture can vary depending on the container.. but sugaer, tepid water and yeast.
sugar and other mixes to stabilize the sugar..1-2 cups. yeast mix 1/4 table spoon to tepid water. let stand to activate. tepid water in approx equal to sugar add yeast and wait.
should start bubbling in a few hours. ;)
you can also look at :
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136668
there may be other DIY stickies or article you can peruse.
Yep it works great. I used one cup of sugar and one teaspoon of regular yeast. Dissolved the sugar in warm/hot water in a 2 ltr bottle (fill almost up to the bend in the bottle). Then I took 110degree water (just hot tap water but I used the thermometer to measure and mixed in the yeast gently. Waited five minutes and gave it a gentle stir again. Then i added it to the sugar mixtures. Gave it a swirl and screwed in the lid. By the next morning I was producing co2 in very good quantity and it hasn't slowed down yet.
timwag2001
05-06-2009, 7:20 PM
i use 2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon of yeast and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
there is no exact recipe. its all just a ballpark figure. some mixtures last longer than others. don't go way off track of the recipes that you've read of but dont be afraid mixing it up a little and seeing what works better for you
DiezelEinstein
05-06-2009, 10:30 PM
use less yeast. it will allow longer intervals between changes.
2c sugar
1tsp or 3/4tsp yeast
110 degree water.
activate yor yeast first for 5 minutes.
give it 20 minutes and yer done.
rocker92
05-06-2009, 10:34 PM
100 degree water with 2cups of sugar, i only use 1/4 tsp of yeast and it lasts me about 3 weeks. fill the water up till the bottle curves at the top.
i have seen wonderful results because of the DIY co2. i just moved my amazon sword that took up about 1/2 of my 10gal.!!!
rearranged my plants last night to accomodate some java moss structures and was very surprised to see my Sword plant had sprouted two new leaves. I had a black out period on Tuesday because my onion plants were looking stressed so I kept the lights out for the day and when didn't realy check on anything until last night during a water change. Man, that plant is taking off. Had to replant a very large section of plants to give it some more room to fill out.
Star_Rider
05-07-2009, 10:46 AM
ya don't need a ton of yeast..
it will work fine with 1/4 teaspoon with 2 cups sugar.
the yeast is a culture and will multiply.
Dan H
05-07-2009, 12:00 PM
Thanks everyone :)
i will give it a go ;)
how would i put it in the tank?
can i just attach the hose to an air-stone?
or do i need something else?
sorry i'm new to all this :D
also can i put the bottle in the cabinet under the tank or does it have to be higher up?
Dopehand
05-07-2009, 12:38 PM
The budget way that many people do it is to run the tube into their filter intake, as the impeller helps with preventing it just bubbling out at the surface.
Keep this in mind: The higher the Yeast:Sugar ratio is, the higher volume of CO2 will be expelled, but it will produce the CO2 for a smaller duration.
Dan H
05-10-2009, 11:48 AM
HI could i use an air stone?
would it work or would the co2 just go to the surface?
thanks dan :)
biggdadyapisto
05-10-2009, 11:55 AM
dan H what kind of filter are you using?
HI
i have a Fluval 3+
and it's a 3ft x 12 x 15 tank
thanks :)
biggdadyapisto
05-10-2009, 6:45 PM
fluval canister if it is you can difuse it into the intake of the filter.
rocker92
05-10-2009, 6:56 PM
i agree with bigdady!
Dan H
05-11-2009, 12:15 PM
No its an internal filter :(
carolinyens
05-11-2009, 12:18 PM
I use the limewood diffuser. Its really boyant so you would have to put it under something or whatever to keep it down. I have mine under some driftwood. It puts out really tiny bubbles.
I have mine under my tank in a cabinet. Ran the airline up and into the tank and directly into the intake for my canister filter (just stuck it in the grill and the bubbles go right up the tube (you can see and hear them... that is how I know it is working, lol).
It really does make a difference running it through your filter. No bubbles at all so I have to assume that I am getting the maximum about of co2 I could with the DIY with my recipe (i.e. I am not gassing out any co2). Now I wish I had more light to help maximize teh benefit of the co2.
Thanks :)
i know this prob sounds stupid but wouldn't the filter filter the co2?
KarlTh
05-11-2009, 2:36 PM
No. It's a gas. Filters remove particles of solid matter.
lol see said it was a stupid question ;)
will give it a go on weekend
thanks everyone :)
Nope. Just moves right on through. The nice thing is the the impellar chops it up so it maximizes the amount that remains in your water (I doubted that line at first myself... but it sure 'nuff works) give a shot you won't be sorry,.
biggdadyapisto
05-11-2009, 3:26 PM
I have mine under my tank in a cabinet. Ran the airline up and into the tank and directly into the intake for my canister filter (just stuck it in the grill and the bubbles go right up the tube (you can see and hear them... that is how I know it is working, lol).
It really does make a difference running it through your filter. No bubbles at all so I have to assume that I am getting the maximum about of co2 I could with the DIY with my recipe (i.e. I am not gassing out any co2). Now I wish I had more light to help maximize teh benefit of the co2.
lol i wish i had less light but cant find a single bulb that will fit in my canopy.
carolinyens
05-11-2009, 3:30 PM
I have mine right where the water is comming out of my hanging filter. I wonder if it would be better if I just put the line in there or if it would be the same as what I have now?
biggdadyapisto
05-11-2009, 3:59 PM
if your talking about running it up your outtake i wouldnt. i would run it up the intake if its a canister i think it would work in the intake of a internal filter but it would be useless in a hob.
Agreed. In an HOB I would guess it would gas out a signficant amount. The benefit of the canister is that (1) it is under pressure and (2) it is stays within the water, e.g. no contact with the outside air. At least that is the way it was explained to me... and, Dan, there are no stupid questions... there are just some questions that are better than others, lol. Just kidding. I am a newbie myself (just a newbie with a tad bit of OCD...)
Right i got everything but silicon :(
can i use any silicon aslong as its clear?
thanks :)