jrmakawoody
New Member
So I thought that I would document and share my learning experience with others interested in setting up a DIY CO2 system. Here are some basic pics of my system:
Journal of a DIY (yeast generator) CO2 system
- Thread starter jrmakawoody
- Start date
jrmakawoody
New Member
The Specs:
This whole system is made up of 3 soda/water bottles, your average air tubing, 1 check valve, 1 adjustable flow valve, with the CO2 piped into the hagen elite mini filter.
The setup:
I have your basic soda bottle CO2 Generator (we will call it bottle #1), using: 3/4 bottle of water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/8 teaspoon yeast, and a pinch of baking soda (supposed to help stabilize internal ph of bottle). I drilled a hole in the bottle cap and ran the air tubing just through the middle only sticking out 1/4" on the inside, and glued in place with gorilla glue (gorilla glue was on hand and was used to cut down on costs). With the ingredients mixed and the bottle capped, I then heated up a pot of water to about 105 degrees to "kickstart" the yeast,(used a candy making thermometer). I then placed the bottle and contents into the pan of warmed water for about 10-15 min.
The CO2 from the generator is piped to bottle #2. Bottle #2 is what some would call my "gas collector"/"bubble counter". This is basically just a bottle filled up 3/4 with water, with 2 airline tubes ran through the cap. One tube is sticking into the water, the other is not. This allows you to count to see how many co2 bubbles are being made within a certain period of time. Mine makes about 1 bubble every 20 seconds, so you can say 3 bubbles per minute. You want the tube coming from bottle #1 sticking down into the water. The OTHER tube that is not sticking into the water, goes from #2 and to a "T" fitting.
For the other two parts of the "T" fitting, one tube goes to a check valve, then the hagan filter, which diffuses the CO2 as it circulates water through the aquarium. The other end goes to my "blowoff" valve and bottle. I decided to incorporate the blowoff valve to be able to control the bubble pressure and to have the ability to turn the rig "off" at night. The valve is attached to some tubing which goes into the water bottle, filled with water so that you can visually see how much CO2 you are "bleeding" off of the system. I just poked some holes in the bottle cap, to let out excess pressure.
I will be making a "paint" diagram so this is easier to visualize, my pictures and explanation might make it seem confusing.
This whole system is made up of 3 soda/water bottles, your average air tubing, 1 check valve, 1 adjustable flow valve, with the CO2 piped into the hagen elite mini filter.
The setup:
I have your basic soda bottle CO2 Generator (we will call it bottle #1), using: 3/4 bottle of water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/8 teaspoon yeast, and a pinch of baking soda (supposed to help stabilize internal ph of bottle). I drilled a hole in the bottle cap and ran the air tubing just through the middle only sticking out 1/4" on the inside, and glued in place with gorilla glue (gorilla glue was on hand and was used to cut down on costs). With the ingredients mixed and the bottle capped, I then heated up a pot of water to about 105 degrees to "kickstart" the yeast,(used a candy making thermometer). I then placed the bottle and contents into the pan of warmed water for about 10-15 min.
The CO2 from the generator is piped to bottle #2. Bottle #2 is what some would call my "gas collector"/"bubble counter". This is basically just a bottle filled up 3/4 with water, with 2 airline tubes ran through the cap. One tube is sticking into the water, the other is not. This allows you to count to see how many co2 bubbles are being made within a certain period of time. Mine makes about 1 bubble every 20 seconds, so you can say 3 bubbles per minute. You want the tube coming from bottle #1 sticking down into the water. The OTHER tube that is not sticking into the water, goes from #2 and to a "T" fitting.
For the other two parts of the "T" fitting, one tube goes to a check valve, then the hagan filter, which diffuses the CO2 as it circulates water through the aquarium. The other end goes to my "blowoff" valve and bottle. I decided to incorporate the blowoff valve to be able to control the bubble pressure and to have the ability to turn the rig "off" at night. The valve is attached to some tubing which goes into the water bottle, filled with water so that you can visually see how much CO2 you are "bleeding" off of the system. I just poked some holes in the bottle cap, to let out excess pressure.
I will be making a "paint" diagram so this is easier to visualize, my pictures and explanation might make it seem confusing.
jrmakawoody
New Member
Here is the "kindergarden" version for idiots like me 
jrmakawoody
New Member
COST Breakdown:
Sugar $2
Yeast $5
Baking soda (free)
Air tubing (free)
Bottles (free)
extra air tubing $4
check valve $2
T fitting $1?
Sugar $2
Yeast $5
Baking soda (free)
Air tubing (free)
Bottles (free)
extra air tubing $4
check valve $2
T fitting $1?
jrmakawoody
New Member
Plants in the tank are as follows:
2 small java ferns
2 Italian Val
2 small pieces of dwarf hairgrass
Java moss
5 frogbit
I checked the ph this morning it was around 7.5 which is about normal for my water. When i ran it all day yesterday and checked the ph at nigh tit was at 7. I believe that i need to "tweak" my blowoff so that i can maintain a consistent ph level.
2 small java ferns
2 Italian Val
2 small pieces of dwarf hairgrass
Java moss
5 frogbit
I checked the ph this morning it was around 7.5 which is about normal for my water. When i ran it all day yesterday and checked the ph at nigh tit was at 7. I believe that i need to "tweak" my blowoff so that i can maintain a consistent ph level.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Nicely done Woody. When I had my DYI system I never thought about the #3 bottle blow off. My system was a 2 bottle system that went into a 56 gallon tank. The system never made enough Co2 to really warrant a blow off but its a good idea.
Just a little tech: bottle #2 also catches micro solids as the Co2 bubbles travels through the water, so bottle #2 acts as a filter as well.
Just a little tech: bottle #2 also catches micro solids as the Co2 bubbles travels through the water, so bottle #2 acts as a filter as well.
jrmakawoody
New Member
Sweet I never really though to #2 that way! I set up the blow off because i eventually plan on adapting this rig to a 2 liter generator for my 20 gallon.theChad said:
jrmakawoody
New Member
New update, I planted a bunch of dwarf hairgrass to see if it will "carpet"
PokeSephiroth
Member
That would look so awesome if your dwarf hairgrass took off and carpeted! Gotta let me know if it does!
The dwarf hairgrass you got from Petsmart, was that the stuff that was in those "snail free" boxed, packages for like $8.99 per bundle? Eeeep...
The dwarf hairgrass you got from Petsmart, was that the stuff that was in those "snail free" boxed, packages for like $8.99 per bundle? Eeeep...
jrmakawoody
New Member
Poke
Yes its from petsmart originally, but i grew a pretty good sized patch from that little package that you get in my 20 gallon. I chopped off a pretty good sized chunk and used it in the 2.5. Hopefully I will never need to BUY any ever again haha. It should do well in that 2.5 The light is 13w and the CO2 should help. I was going to get some of those root tabs to stick in the substrate too. Also, using seachem flourish. I took those ramshorn snails out and put them in my 20 gal so they dont get hurt from this "experiment".
Yes its from petsmart originally, but i grew a pretty good sized patch from that little package that you get in my 20 gallon. I chopped off a pretty good sized chunk and used it in the 2.5. Hopefully I will never need to BUY any ever again haha. It should do well in that 2.5 The light is 13w and the CO2 should help. I was going to get some of those root tabs to stick in the substrate too. Also, using seachem flourish. I took those ramshorn snails out and put them in my 20 gal so they dont get hurt from this "experiment".
jrmakawoody
New Member
I decided to alternate between aeration via airstone at night and only CO2 During the day. Hopefully this will increase growth as increased plant respiration takes place at night, and photosynthesis is maximized during the daytime.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Good plan!!jrmakawoody said:
It is written to start Co2 injection 1 hour before lights go on then have Co2 off 1 hour before lights go out.
jrmakawoody
New Member
Photo update: (yeah i moved some stuff around) Planted some dwarf sag in the back, more dwarf hairgrass in the front, vals are still sucking, snails running rampant haha
jrmakawoody
New Member
Also upgraded the generator to a gallon apple juice jug for less frequent yeast mixture refills
PokeSephiroth
Member
Grooooow hairgrass, grooooow... Lookin good!
Lookin good!jrmakawoody
New Member
I dont know if I want to take the snails out, or just leave them in there to eat all the dead plant material
A
Anonymous
Guest
What is the white thing towards the back simi buried under the substraight?
jrmakawoody
New Member
that would be the oversized heater haha
A
Anonymous
Guest
A heater that goes under gravel? I've never heard or seen those...
jrmakawoody
New Member
its not specifically designed for that, it just happened...because its ugly haha