DIY co2 mix up

[bailey88]

So anyways I brought this and the instructions come in Chinese and be buggered if I can read Chinese lol anyone know what I need to mix in the 2 bottles to make it a DIY co2 cheers in advance :)

[Robert]

yeast and sugar. depending how strong you make the mix will affect how long it last. 1-2 cups of sugar, 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of yeast and fill the bottle 3/4 full and shake.

[bailey88]

I've read that but this one has 2 bottles attached to it will the sugar and yeast still work or something else

[Robert]

your pretty much making two mixtures so that more co2 is created/last a longer time. both of the bottles should contain the same mixture.

[Robert]

although i dont recommend you use the regulator/tuner thingy thats attached on the left hand side. constricting the flow of co2 will cause a build up in pressure in the bottles and could created a huge mess. after all you have plastic 'canisters' not a steel one. the amount of yeast you add greatly affects fast/strong the co2 is made.

[Triggs]

The first one with the pressure gauge would be for your yeast/sugar mixture. The second one would be an empty bottle so if the yeast mixture overflows it gets caught in the empty bottle rather than going into your diffuser/tank.

[Triggs]

Here's a diagram of what I mean;

[bailey88]

Awesome guys ill have a look into it cheers for all your help

[jordan93]

actually those where designed to use citric acid or vinegar in one bottle and baking soda in the other, not exactly sure how it works but there should be something on youtube

[yotis]

Did you get this working bailey? I have had a look at this on chinese site and its suppose to come with a couple packs of "stuff" as the mixture. Its not the normal type DIY (yeast, etc) rather like what Jordan mentioned..

[Matmatmat]

I may be on my own here but I also add a teaspoon of molasses to feed the yeast so the mixture lasts longer.

[yotis]

I may be on my own here but I also add a teaspoon of molasses to feed the yeast so the mixture lasts longer.

How much longer does it last mat ?

[Matmatmat]

I've got it to where it lasts just over three weeks ( sometimes more sometimes less). Make sure you get brewers yeast and raw sugar.

My recipie is..

2 cups raw sugar

1\2 teaspoon bicarb

1\3 teaspoon brewers yeast

Between 1\2 and 1 teaspoon molasses or even Vegemite ;)

I mix the Yeast, about 2 teaspoons of the sugaer and warm water in the 2lt bottle stir it round and keep the water air acted for about 10-15 minutes. This brings the yeast to life.

Then add the rest of the sugar and molasses and bicarb mix it well and when it feels like it you will get co2 ( can be between 15 minutes and a couple hours)

Make sure when your done the bottle is only two thirds full!

I also find that if it's not working you have an air leak ( most likely cause with first attempts at DIY ) or where the bottle is is too cool..

[yotis]

Hmm.. ok thanks mat, will give this one a crack soon! :)

[bailey88]

Yeah guys got it started like Jordan mentioned its for citric Acid and baking soda in first bottle mix 200g citric acid and 600 ml of water. And second bottle mix 200g baking powder and 800ml of water had it running for 2 weeks now with no complications or messes the mix last for approx 9-10 days very cheap to run 850g citric acid cost $11 and baking powder home brander was like $2 for 1 kg

[discusmad]

Hi Bailey88 i have this set up and it works a treat .You are mixing the baking powder with 800ml of water ,you only need to mix it with 200ml of water so it wont be as diluted and will make more C02.

[bailey88]

Thanks discus mad ill try that next say doing that could you increase the citric acid ??

[discusmad]

No it would just be a waste of citric acid .The 200g citric acid to 600ml of water and 200g baking powder to 200ml water works great all of the baking powder is desolved and all of the citric acid has transfered to the baking powder mix.Hope that makes some sort of sense to you im not very good at explaining these sort of things .

[bailey88]

All good I'm sort of learning as I muck around with the setting etc but next time I full it up I'm definatly trying that lower water in bicarbonate

[Jay95]

OK, so I am now getting into mosses that I will house in my shrimp tank and I have a couple of questions.

1. I see the diagram that was posted earlier in this thread but was wondering what type fo diffuser is being used and how are you controlling the flow?

2. Being that I have not messed around with co2 before what is the recommended rate of flow for a tank that will house the moss and shrimp without having a detrimental effect on the shrimp?

3. I like the idea of the DIY mix as it would be cheaper than buying a CO2 setup but are they reliable i.e. I work away for 2 weeks at a time so it needs to be stable and not at risk of exploding or leaking the mix all over the floor (the mrs would not be a happy camper)

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[OzShrimp]

I looked into doing DIY Co2 but was put off it by people telling me it is not very stable in terms of things not going wrong,

I opted for no Co2 cause i couldnt afford a proper setup :)

[Squiggle]

Yeah I've played around with DIY CO2 in the past, I had some success & I've also covered the lounge room in yeast & sugar mix. Just have one recommendation, don't restrict the flow in any way, i.e. don't put a tap in the system, they don't handle the back pressure very well :encouragement:

[Jay95]

So I am thinking that a proper set up/purchased system would be the wise choice

[tangfreak]

I no a guy has the 1ltr bottle makes up the yeast mixture put airline hose into tank and puts it into his pik up or his canister filter .co2goes into his filter mixes around in there mixing into water and dispercing out wen water comes out of canisters outlet strate into water

[tangfreak]

There is a guy on ebay that sells difuses for these home made systems even had a write up on how to set up bottle and recipe for yeast liquid .