co2 mixture?

FtwayneFish

FtwayneFish

Pump Paintball!
Dec 7, 2007
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Fort Wayne, IN
I was wondering what you folks use for your DIY co2 2L mixture? Ive read around and it varies and im sure they all work. Just curious whats more common or the best?

I use 6cups warm water, 2 cups sugar, 1/4 tablespoon yeast.
but ive read some fill to 2in from top. and my 6 cups is a bit over half full?
 
As long as you maintain your 3:1 water:sugar ratio, you're fine. Fill it higher if you want, just leave some room for foaming.
 
sorry, but am i doin the 3:1 then? and what does filling it up higher do?
 
Your ratio looks good to me (3 water for every sugar) - having more in the same bottle makes it last longer.
 
having more water or both?

so do another cup of each?

and another ? maybe to add. wheres the best place to put the 2L in accordance with the tank? at level, above, below?

I had my bottles below b4 and i dont know how i got the tank water to not fill em.
this time i left em on top the tanks on my 10g and level with my 5g. it might be the massive leaks. my silicone popped off the pop cap and was hissing all around the edges.
 
Let me guess - you're using a scintered glass diffuser? DIY CO2, especially if using airline tubing (which is somewhat permeable to CO2) are seldom up to the task of forcing CO2 through these things. Better get a reactor or a fine airstone (limewood or certain disposable ones work pretty well).

For DIY, it's best to have a shorter run of tubing. Having the tubing coiled a few times above the tank's waterline is a good way to help keep tank water out of your CO2 bottle (or airpump, but that's another thread) if you keep the bottle below the tank's waterline. The most important thing is to keep the bottle somewhere where it won't tip over. Pumping yeast/sugar brine into a tank is absolutely no fun. Some use a gas trap to minimize the chances of this happening. The easiest way to check your rig's seals is to submerge the bottle in a sink full of water or to coat it with dilute soapy water and blow into the end of the tubing that will go into the tank. Any bubbles seen? If not, you're OK.

To add another ~1 cup, use 3/4 C water. 1/4 C sugar.
 
so i should add some more?

and a scintered what? i use maybe afoot too much tubing. but on the end is a Lee's limewood extra fine diffuser block?

So if its above it could pump into the tank.
and below it can fill with tank water?
 
If things are sealed, it won't matter if you put the bottle above or below the water line of the tank. Securing the bottle so that it stays upright is the best way to keep the brine out of the tank. Even if the bottle were below the tank and it got tipped over, the pressure build up in the bottle would start to push brine up the tubing, into the tank.

1 foot of excess tubing is fine.

A Lee's limewood block should work well - assuming it is not clogged. With some effort, you should be able to blow bubbles through it using airline tubing.

If you want, you can add a little more sugar/water - it should make the mix last a bit longer.
 
gotcha thanks
 
can I have some more mix recipes of folks that use DIY co2 for their plants at home?
 
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