Yeast Based DIY CO2 Construction Tweet

Last modification by Drtim November 25, 2011, 2:17 am → version: 2 Language: English Rating: Viewed: 666 times

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Materials Needed: * 2 liter bottle with a cap * Length of air tubing * Air line check valve * Straight Air Line Connector (optional) Note: Some people just use airline pulled through a smaller hole in the bottle lid,however you can use a connector instead for a more reliable and professional application * Drill with bit just a tiny smaller than your straight line connector * Scissors * Pliers * Diffuser

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Drill a hole in the cap that is just a tiny bit smaller than your line connector.

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Use the pliers to gently push your line connector through the hole.

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Attach your air line to the line connector and push it right up to the bottle cap.

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Measure your air line and cut where it will be just above the top rim of the tank.

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Attach your flow check valve with the arrow pointing away from the bottle.

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Attach a diffuser to the end (Sometimes I tie the diffuser to a suction cup to hold it in the correct place when it is in the tank).

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You are ready to make the mix For a one liter, use the following mix: (double for a two liter) * One cup sugar * One-half teaspoon baking soda (to help slow and regulate the reaction) * One-quarter teaspoon baking yeast (champagne or other alcohol yeasts will last longer) * Hot and cold water up to the narrowing point of the bottle

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First, use a funnel to add your sugar and baking soda. Then fill about half way with HOT water and swirl to dissolve your sugar.

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When your sugar has fully dissolved, fill the rest of the bottle to the point it begins to narrow with cold water. The resulting water should be about room temperature. If it is not, let it cool down before continuing. Then add your yeast and gently swirl until the yeast is mixed into the water.

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Store your extra yeast in a cool and dry place

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Put on your cap and you are ready to go.

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Place your bottle in a location that it will NOT be tipped over. If there is any worry of tipping, you may want to install a bubble-counter/trap to keep the yeast mix from pumping into your tank

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Depending on your house temperature, yeast virility, and other factors, it may take as much as several hours, or as little as a dozen minutes for your CO2 to get going. Do not be concerned if water goes several inches up your air line from the inside of your tank at first. This usually is because your mix was a little warm and is cooling, drawing water temporarily up the tube from your fish tank. If you do not see bubbles within 24 hours, you may need to rinse out your mix and re-do it. The most common reasons for not bubbling is having dead yeast, having your water too warm when the yeast was added, or if you do not have tight seals at your connections. If you suspect a connection leak at the bottle, place the bottle under water and see if any air is leaking at the seal. If you have leakage at the straight line connector, you can pull the connector out and put a little super glue around the piece before putting it back in.