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marshalmaveric IAH New Member

Joined: Oct 16, 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Lucknow
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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I use a 2 ltr pet bottle to make CO2 for my tank. But some how since last time I am not able to get any CO2 production at all. I have tried many times and all is going waste without any CO2 production at all. I use this mixture by adding 2 cups of sugar in 3/4 bottle water and 1/2 tsp dry yeast and a pinch of baking powder. Once somewhere I read about adding baking soda, after adding it made the liquid like gelly...wonder if it useful.
I wonder if its the low temperature(15 degrees celcius) that is inhibiting the production of CO2 .I have also kept the the whole solution in bright sun and a heater but still no effect.
Please do reply soon.
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rasikanayak Moderator

Joined: Jan 25, 2005 Posts: 2922 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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Since you mention "some how since last time I am not able to get any CO2 production" do you mean you were able to get CO2 with your earlier preparations in the same setup?
Your mix seems OK.
@ 2cups of Sugar(Around 200-300gms) in 1.5 litres water, along with 1.5tsp dry yeast and a pinch of baking powder.
But baking powder should not turn your water jelly. Cut down on it by around 80%.
As you mention temp 15degrees will definitely play a major role in reducing the output. Placing the solution in sunlight helps, since I use the same method in Bangalore. But the extent of sunlight is only in the morning for around 1 hour. I am worried about your heater. What temp is it at and could it have killed all the yeast?
Also please check the setup for any leaks using soap water, which could be one of the reason.
Regards,
Nayak. |
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marshalmaveric IAH New Member

Joined: Oct 16, 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Lucknow
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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rasikanayak wrote (View Post):
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Since you mention "some how since last time I am not able to get any CO2 production" do you mean you were able to get CO2 with your earlier preparations in the same setup?
Your mix seems OK.
@ 2cups of Sugar(Around 200-300gms) in 1.5 litres water, along with 1.5tsp dry yeast and a pinch of baking powder.
But baking powder should not turn your water jelly. Cut down on it by around 80%.
As you mention temp 15degrees will definitely play a major role in reducing the output. Placing the solution in sunlight helps, since I use the same method in Bangalore. But the extent of sunlight is only in the morning for around 1 hour. I am worried about your heater. What temp is it at and could it have killed all the yeast?
Also please check the setup for any leaks using soap water, which could be one of the reason.
Regards,
Nayak.
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Yes I was getting good results about 1 month back and plus I could see small bubbles rising to the surface. Now its just cloudy water. I meant adding baking soda not baking powder which had turned my solution to gelly.
I kept the solution near a room heater not near the aquarium heater for an hour or plus nothing happened. Aquarium temperature is around 24-26 degrees celcius. 15 degrees celcius is the temperature in my house not the aquarium.
Anyways thank you very much rasikanayak.
As usual IAH 's |
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rasikanayak Moderator

Joined: Jan 25, 2005 Posts: 2922 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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Baking soda is pure "sodium bicarbonate" and baking powder is "sodium bicarbonate along with acidifying agent and a drying agent". I have used both and experienced not much difference between the two.
Anyways, Thank you. |
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Mortis Committed Member of IAH

Joined: Apr 14, 2006 Posts: 1968 Location: Mumbai
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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Activate the yeast in a covered cup full of warm water + 3-4 teaspoons of sugar first. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of yeast to the sugar water then cover it and keep it somewhere warm (not too hot !!) When you see froth at the top, you can add it to the main 2 ltr bottle that has water + sugar. Getting a steady amount of CO2 can take upto a day or two so be patient and keep the bottle closed. CO2 is only produced when the yeast is under anaerobic conditions. |
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marshalmaveric IAH New Member

Joined: Oct 16, 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Lucknow
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:41 pm Post subject: Re: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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rasikanayak wrote (View Post):
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Baking soda is pure "sodium bicarbonate" and baking powder is "sodium bicarbonate along with acidifying agent and a drying agent". I have used both and experienced not much difference between the two.
Anyways, Thank you.
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Pardon my ignorance I thought it was something totally different....grateful for the info. rasikanayak
Mortis will follow your suggestions and will update on the result in about a day..
Thank you very much...
IAH 's |
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kunalrsingh Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Nov 04, 2007 Posts: 1057 Location: Allahabad
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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you wont be able to get CO2 production with 15 degrees. you need higher temp. place a table lamp with an old fashioned bulb facing the bottle. low temperature is not good for the production. |
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DELETED IAH New Member

Joined: Mar 20, 2010 Posts: 71
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Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: DIY CO2 NOT WORKING...URGENT HELP !!! |
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Hi,
This is how I made my DIY co2 system, very simple. All the information is available on the internet, google, youtube and so on. Search for DIY co2 system.
Anyways my co2 is working for months now, my expediture is 42 rs bluebird brown sugar, which last for 30 days. (changes twice) Yeast last for 3 or 4 months since I use half a teaspoon.
I use two bottles, the second bottle is for fitering the co2 otherwise in few days your tank is going to smell with alcohol.
I would not be able to explain the entire setup. I would upload images of my co2 setup with full explaination in future to a free hosting site.
Note: - In the bottle first add brown sugar then fill it up with luke warm water and then add yeast half a teaspoon. |
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