DIY CO2 System Acting Strangely

DGalt

DGalt

AC Members
Jun 1, 2008
703
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Connecticut
So my DIY CO2 system, particularly the release of the CO2, has been acting rather strangely lately.

Basically, for anywhere between 30-60 seconds (and it may be longer, i haven't timed it) there won't be any bubbles coming out at all. And then there will be a stream of bubbles for anywhere between 8-12 seconds (again, could be more or could be less, haven't time it. it varies by each occurrence).

I've checked the lines and there are no clogs. I've checked my diffuser (I run the CO2 line into a mini underwater powerhead which chops up the bubbles and spits them out) and I can't find any issues there either.

Anyone experienced this before or know what could be causing it? If there were just a decrease in overall CO2 production I'd say the mixture just needs to be replaced, but it just seems odd that it spits about a constant stream of bubbles for such a longer period and then there is nothing in between.
 
That's weird. From what you've described it sounds like the pressure is building up somewhere in the system, and then breaking through when you get the stream of bubbles. I know you've checked everything, but it sounds like the gas is still getting stuck somewhere. I've never had this happen to me.
 
Do you have a check valve on the line? Perhaps your valve has gotten a little sticky OR if its plastic they tend to breakdown under constant exposure to CO2 and now takes higher pressure to open it.
 
What are you using to diffuse the co2??

How old is your mix?

Whats the room temperature??

I experience the same thing when i was diffusing with a limewood airstone and the mix was reaching the mid end of 3rd week. What little pressure it produces, builds up and gets released.. Try swirling the bottle see if anything changes.
 
I'm not using a check valve (because the same thing was happening when I was using a check valve).

The diffuser is just the CO2 line run into a mini power head.

The room temperature is probably mid 70s. The mix is a couple weeks old, I need to change it anyway, but this just seems like an odd thing to happen.

I would understand if there was just a build up somewhere, but I can't figure out where it would be.
 
mix is 2 cups sugar and i think 1/2 tsp of yeast....something like that

i think i'm just going to try replacing the mix and see if that does anything.
 
jake gillespie said:
youve got to keep the yeast warm
like 75-100 degrees higher temps brew faster lower dont brew at all
Click to expand...

But at a certain point the temperature can kill or seriously inhabit growth. Some sources say 120 degrees F is the max, however I'm not sure how accurate that is...
 
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