Is it normal for the bubbles to stop after a few days?

[NJ Devils Fan]

The bubbles from my Co2 completely stop after about 3-4 days of comming out vigerously. Why is this?

[Woozledad]

From what I've read, I think you may be using too much yeast and by heating the solution, your causing the yeast to use up the sugar much faster... I use 1/2 tsp of yeast to 2 cups of sugar and 1 liter of water... My recipe will work vigorously for 12-14 days.... I change my bottle out every week, just to keep the output at it's maximum all the time...I'll mix it on saturday morning and hook it up on sunday and it never misses a beat. Since your running several bottles, I would alternate them by several days...seems alot more work....I also think a reactor would help you out tremendously....

Not saying this is the best way, but it's working wonderfully for me....

Hope it helps...

Michael

[NJ Devils Fan]

So I should cut my ingredients in half?

[Woozledad]

I would cut your yeast in half....


There is evidence that yeast mixtures last longer if you decrease the amount of yeast, and conversely last shorter periods if more yeast is used. Lower yeast also means less CO2 produced per minute, but produce more consistantly over time. Higher yeast levels will cause an initial higher burst of CO2 production with a gradually declining production over time. Keep this in mind while experimenting.

I would also increase your sugar to 2 cups, this is what most folks use in a half full 2 liter bottle....

Also, if you have a few minutes, I would recommend you read this article, best DIY CO2 article I've found...

DIY CO2 (http://www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html#5)

On the above site they give instruction on a really nice DIY reactor, I built one and it works great....BUT, I don't like the looks of it in my tank, I don't have anywhere to hide it yet... However, here (http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/co2reactor.htm) is a external reactor that I am going to try to make this weekend, I think it'll be cheaper as well.... By adding the reactor, I have brought my CO2 up from 9ppm to 23ppm, I wish I would have done this weeks ago, I didn't think it would make that much difference....

Anyway, here is exactly how I mix mine....

fill 2 liter bottle half full with cold tap water
add 2 cups of sugar
shake up mixture until sugar is dissolved
add 1/2 tsp of Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast (do not shake)
replace cap and place hose in tank, once it starts bubbling, usually about 12hrs or less, hook it up to the reactor....that's it....it will go two weeks, but like I said, I change it every week...but that's just me....Also, everything is at room temp, 70 deg, no heat added....Give it a try, I think you'll find it works very well....:D

[valerie]

what is your recipe you are using? I use 1 tsp of yeast to 3 cups of sugar and water filled to about 3" from teh top. I also heat my bottle to about 85degrees and it still lasts about 2-3 weeks.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I have been using 4 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of yeast in each bottle.

[Slappy*McFish]

Anything more than 2 cups of sugar and you are just wasting sugar, the alcohol content will build up to toxic levels way before the sugar is all used up by the yeast....I use 1-1.5 cups of sugar in my 3 litre bottles(filled 3/4 full of water) and 3/4-1tsp of yeast with a dash of baking powder...those levels are more than enough.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I don't think I'm adding enough sugar if everyone is adding cups and I'm only adding tablespoons. I will add a cup to wach bottle when we get some more sugar tonight.