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brojo
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 Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Hi All
Last evening I tried my luck for the first time with a DIY yeast and sugar based CO2 generation system. Nothing much happened until just now. I shook the bottle and a rush of bubbles came out from the other end of the pipe inside the aquarium. But when I stop shaking the bottle the bubbles stop. Could someone please tell me what is wrong with the system? Did something go wrong with the solution? That seems like the only thing that CAN go wrong. What could have gone wrong with the solution and how do I get the recipe?
Otherwise the system is fine (with very minor leakage from the gap between the cap and the pipe that can be fixed once the basic system is up and running). Actually this system is so simple there is nothing else that can go wrong. Is there?
I used the following -
2 litre Pepsi bottle
1 litre water
1 cup of sugar
1 spoon of yeast (dry granular type, is the quality/packaging/storage etc the culprit?)
3 meter long 2 mm dia silicone pipe (is that too narrow or too long?)
Also, when the bubbles do come out they come out in a rush. Is there any way this can be controlled?
Sudipto |
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nature_lover
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Hai Sudipto,
Why do you want such a long tubing - 3m is awfully long, might be losing pressure. Use baker's yeast, the one used for cooking or baking cakes.
It is better not to try and control the pressure of the bubbles. If you find it too high, you might have to reduce the quantity of yeast you add.
Haven't tried it yet, but plan to soon. |
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brojo
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Suraj
I bought the 3 meter tubing so that the bottle could be kept well away from the tank and above. The depth of the tank itself is 2 feet add two more feet for the nearest high shelf six feet or so away. i have a hunch the yeast is of poor quality because that's the only thing that could possibly go wrong. but since the vigorous shake is yielding result i am wondering if there is still some hope left. |
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brojo
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Suraj
Took your advice and changed the tubing to something wider in dia and much shorter (a spare aeration tube). Things have improved a bit, in the sense instead of shaking like earlier, if I gently squeeze the bottle a nice bubble comes up.  If the choice is between shaking a bottle or squeezing it, I will go with the later - it's still better than blowing air (CO2) from my mouth into a pipe.
But more seriously, I guess the problem is that not enough pressure is being created inside the bottle to push up the CO2 - either there is too much empty space inside the bottle or too little CO2 is being generated. Either way I am the loser. |
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nikhilsood1
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Hi Sudipto, well you have to take about 2.5 cups of sugar and about 1 tablespoon of yeast and mix in warm water, this hepls in the fermentataion gets a head start with the hot water, when i used it i had bubbles running like a stream. If buble generation is low put in more yeast, but that will mean frequent replacing, so if your tank is big enough, hook up 2 bottles. Keep a gap of about 4 days when your start one from the other. that way you will have one running well even though the other will be going down. Never try and control a yeast reactor, this can lead to the bottle bursting which will make your house smell like one hell of a place.
Nikhil |
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brojo
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Nikhil, Suraj
It's working. Yahooooooooo. My second successful DIY project in life (first was my daughter). I shook the bottle gently and it started. About 8-10 bubbles a minute.
Thanks for your suggestions both. The shorter tube did it I think.
Sudipto |
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udaya
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:01 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Sudipto,
Things doesnt seem to match! I assume you are keeping your bottle much lower than the tank.
To push the CO2 all the way to the bottom of the tank, the gas will build up pressure. If you have any leaks, pressure will not build up. So, there should not be absolutely no leaks!
By what you are saying, if you are getting bubbles inside the tank, either by squeezing or shaking, you have no leaks.
Try fixing up the leak, and that might hold the key.
As you said, the system is so simple that there is hardly anything that could go wrong.
It might be better to premix the yeast in lukewarm water before you mix it into the solution.
Nikhil:
1 Tablespoon of yeast is way too much. As yeast ferments the sugar solution, the alcohol levels rise. As my reading suggests, this is the cause that the yeast cannot continue.
The more the sugar, the longer the solution will last. The more the yeast, the faster it will ferment, and quicker the solution will die.
Uday |
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essabee
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| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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If you are using granulated yeast, you are using zygotes they need to 'germinate', induce that in luke warm milk, 15-20 minutes depending upon the season.
The delay in production was because the lack of 'germination'.
Some yeast seemed to have been activated, but too few to produce bubbles of CO2 for your aquarium, initially till the yeast multiplied.
The initial CO2 produced goes into solution of the yeast mixture. By agitating the bottle you got the solution to release some of the CO2 dissolved in it, that is what you observed.
Silicone pipes lose CO2, longer=greater loss. Use 6mm pvc pipes available for RO filters.
Amount of sugar in water controls the period of production as does the lowering of ph. The rate of production is controlled by the quantity of yeast. |
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psimhan
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| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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| What exactly did you change for it to start working, Sudipto? |
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Reddevil
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 12:11 am Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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| psimhan wrote (View Post):
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What exactly did you change for it to start working, Sudipto?
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The length of the tubing was reduced. While reducing the tubing the leaks may have been plugged. Or was it deep prayer.  |
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harsh
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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| taking a guess, i would say since he mixed the recipe in the evening the temperature must've been low and by the evening next day the yeast must've started fermenting due to the afternoon rise in temperature... |
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brojo
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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I changed the tube from a 3 meter long 2 mm dia silicon tube to the more common pipe used for aeration of about four feet (dia not sure) - thanks to Suraj. I punched a hole in another cap (with a bolt that was a shade smaller than the pipe - lucky I had it) and this particular tube fitted really really snug. Simply took off the previous cap from the generator and put the new one on quickly. There was no fizz or anything like that (really really low pressure inside I think).
Initially the changed thing also did not work unless I shook the bottle gently. Then I realised a small squeeze on the bottle was producing a single bubble. Kept squeezing for a couple of minutes and from there it started working on its own. Much like starting a car with a discharged battery.
By the way, the bottle is kept on the same table as the aquarium.
Ever since I have moved the bottle a few times just to see how it reacts and the bubble generation stops. You start squeezing a few times and it starts the process again.
I suppose there is too little solution in this bottle and too much of empty space (1 lit solution in a two lit bottle) resulting in low pressure. Once the process is forcibly started through squeeze it catches on.
Will keep you guys posted on the fate of my next bottle. And sorry again for not responding earlier.
Regards
Sudipto |
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sandeepraghuvanshi
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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| Try and fill the bottle 2/3 of its capacity. it might help. |
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masmer78
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| Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Hi,
My reactors start bubbling CO2 in less than an hour and they are very vigorous. Dissolving the yeast granules in lukewarm water activates the reactor quickly. I am not sure if I am using more yeast (1 tsp per bottle). The mix lasts for 1 week.
The bubbling is not constant, I am planning to make a CO2 bell for this reason. Maybe you should consider one as well, that will ensure that it diffuses in water as much as possible.
My equipment is same as yours, the length of the tubing is 2 meters and the reactor sits 24 inches below the tank!
Abhishek |
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brojo
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:25 am Post subject: Re: What's wrong with my yeast CO2 generator |
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Now that my system is going, the bubbling is pretty consistent - about one bubble every two seconds or so. Yes I do intend to use a home made bell as well.
Regards
Sudipto |
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