Help With CO2 Reactor

[jonathan03]

I have made a CO2 reactor for a 10 gallon tank before but now I'm working on a 38 gallon tank. I have used two bottles. One to hold the yeast and another to prevent any water from going into the other bottle. The problem is that the water from the aquarium keeps filling the the middle bottle. There are no leaks in either bottle. Both of the bottle caps are completely covered in glue and there is no hissing sound when I squeeze on one of the bottles. When I do squeeze the bottles, air/Co2 is pushed into the aquarium further suggesting that there isn't a leak.

Why isn't there enough pressure from the reactor? The reactor is placed on the floor but a constant product of Co2 stop water from filling the middle bottle.

The formula that I used is 1 tablespoon of yeast, 1 liter of water, and two cups of sugar. Any ideas on how I can fix this? Thanks for the help.

 

[tuchon35]

Let your mixture sit (covered) for 4-6 hours and then hook it up to the tank. Or just elevate your bottle above the tanks.

 

[marks69]

or get a check valve, that will stop it right off.

 

[jonathan03]

I figured out the problem. The yeast was bad. With good yeast it worked great.

I used the bowl method of dispersing the CO2. I found a barrel with a hole off center in the top and I put the hose from the reactor inside it attached to an airstone. The CO2 sits in there for a while and then slowly rises up. It seems to be both efficent and eye catching.

Here is a picture.


http://enginecontrol.dyn.ee/Aquarium.jpg
http://enginecontrol.dyn.ee/Aquarium2.jpg


Also, should a check valve prevent all water flow? I tried using two that were very old but the water flowed freely though. I turned it both ways and it didn't seem to help. Just wondering if a check valve is a complete stopper.