29 gallon panted tank

[truck_317]

so i just started to get into a planted tank right know i have some java fern, wistoria, anachris, green ludwiga, and cabomba. i just made a diy co2 last night with a 2 liter bottle and it dont seem like. i use a 2 liter bottle, 2 cups of suger, and 1/2 tsp of yeast. i am getting very little bubble out of it but if i shake it up it really comes out for about 5 seconds and then it stop. so whats the problem?????? also i am using some florapride and i guess its fish food what else should i do with think tank i will take everybody input. tank temp is arount 76 also

[Star_Rider]

could be bad yeast.. it has a shelf life.. also did you use tepid water?

[truck_317]

i just warm water like a lil colder then bath water

[DSR]

The water, to activate teh yeast culture should be around 110 degrees. Then add your yeast (I use a full teaspoon and one cup of sugar). Once you add the yeast, gently stir it for a few second and then wait five minutes. gently stir again. hold up to the light and you will see the yeast going up and down. That is how you know it is going. Mine produces a considerable amount of bubbles (the bottle itself looks still until you shine a light on it... then you can see constant bubbles). My mixture lasts well over a week without any drop off. I haven't let it run its coarse yet so not sure how long it would work.

[timwag2001]

my guess is that your diy system isn't air tight. i bet you have a leak somewhere.
mix a lot of dishsoap with some water and brush it around the cap and all of your fittings and connections then give your bottle a shake. betcha find a leak.
i use 2 cups of sugar 1 teaspoon yeast and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. there are a bunch of variations, you can use brown sugar, i've heard of jello. dont be afraid to tweak your recipe a bit.
i would probably use 2 2liter bottles for your 29.
and once you get your diy going your gonna need to test your water and see what you need for ferts. i know that one type of florapride has only potassium.
you need to have nitrate (maybe enough from your bioload), phosphate, and potassium. those are your macro nutrients. then you need some trace elements like iron as well. test your tap water, you could be getting nutrients straight from the tap as well.

[biggie357]

i used to use a 2 liter bottle with 2 cups of sugar and 1 tsp of yeast, but i always had the same problem as you. very little co2, but on a 10g tank, it was just enough to see improvements. this would last upwards of 2-3 weeks.

I eventually changed to 3 cups of sugar and 2 tsp of yeast, and it produces much more bubbles. this only lasts 1-2 weeks.


There is a kinda "rule" when it comes to mixing DIY c02:

More yeast = more bubbles, shorter "lifespan"
More sugar = less bubbles, longer lifespan

Make sure the water you use is SLIGHTLY warmer than room temperature, but not hot.

you just need to learn the proper balance of the two for your tank and you wont have any problems.