DIY CO2 reactor query

[zico_aqua]

Hi all,

I have seen quite a number of video's regarding DIY CO2 reactors and plan to make one for myself too, but there is one question that is eating up my head: How do you stop the CO2 injection when the lights are powered off? From what I understand the mixture of sugar+yeast an' water is going to continuously generate CO2 due to fermentation and breakdown so how do I control it's flow when not required? I even gave it a thought that say if I use a I-shaped valve after the bubble counter and close it shut when lights are off (ideally this should work) but will this make the plastic reactor bottle bust of pressure since there is no escape route for the produced CO2? If any body have come-up with this solution please do let me know.

Eagerly awaiting response.

Regards
Abhradip

[SCORPIO]

Q.1 How do you stop the CO2 injection when the lights are powered off?
Ans: There is no way to stop the injection of CO2 at night.
Q.2 From what I understand the mixture of sugar+yeast an' water is going to continuously generate CO2 due to fermentation and breakdown so how do I control it's flow when not required?
Ans: You can't control its flow. But in low temperature the rate of fermentation reduce.

[Romi]

did it help u grow plants rajiv, and for how long?

[juanico]

so how do I control it's flow when not required?

you can't control the flow of DIY CO2.

valve after the bubble counter and close it shut when lights are off (ideally this should work) but will this make the plastic reactor bottle bust of pressure

as you said, the bottle can burst, so you must not shut the CO2 flow. with a pressure-relief valve it might work, but i have not seen such a valve for your purpose.


here a suggestion how you can get the proper amount of DIY CO2 in your tank:
a "bell" or "paffrath bowl".

you can't control the flow of CO2, but the amount getting in your tank by the size of the "reactor".

according to this table, which is for a 100l tank:
kH --> cm2
<10 --> 30
11 --> 50
12 --> 70
13 --> 90
14 --> 110
15 --> 130
16 --> 150

example: my tank has 50l, kH 4
according to the table: kH <10 --> 30cm2, but this is for a 100l tank, mine is 50 l --> 15cm2...3x5 cm

this is just a rough estimate, you have to test it in your tank.
in the pics you can see it in action




if you extend the CO2 tube long enough, then it functions also as a bubble counter.
here you can see the CO2 trapped under the bowl...and dissolving in the aquarium water...excess CO2 just escapes


in my current setup it works with pressurised CO2, but I used it for years with my DIY CO2
cost: nothing

[SCORPIO]

did it help u grow plants rajiv, and for how long?

In the beginning days of planted aquarium, I have also used DIY CO2. It ends up in 15-20 days. But in winters of Delhi, it is not possible to produce CO2 by this method.

[juanico]

did it help u grow plants rajiv, and for how long?

the use of gelatine stabilizes the fermentation and prolongs the whole process...up to 6 weeks, but in not too cold, not too hot environment

[zico_aqua]

excellent suggestions people, I will now have to come up with my design. Planning for a diffuser made out of syringe let's see how it rolls..!! will keep you updated..

[djmankotia]

Abhradip, anything on the DIY C02 reactor yet??? The syringe idea..?
Sorry to re-open a long dormant thread but seeing the stream of CO2 bubbles from my yeast DIY system disappear into thin air continuously, I have been racking my brains to build a reactor/diffuser to utilize the DIY-CO2 more efficiently. So any inputs will be appreciated.

[marsaiko]

Koti, just put the diffuser under you canister filter inlet

[zico_aqua]

hehehe..it's been ages but I have moved on to pressurised CO2 setup!! I hardy did any use of DIY CO2, found it to be way too a hassle for me..