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My Photography
Off topic post, recently a bit active in photo shooting more than aquascape. The reason why I do that is to understand the nature, like Mr Takashi Amano does. So is a helpful skill to develop our aquascaping and some nature behaviour. The place I am staying has such a limited stone scape, but worth for deep in study of the formation. If you like my photography, please drop a 'LIKE' on my link. Thank you very much.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Recipe for DIY CO2 & equipments

I have successfully brew the CO2 since many months ago, and sharing my recipe in here.


The sequence & volume uses:
  1. I am using two numbers of 1 litre bottle(1000ml) (as shown in photo below).
  2. Ready 250ml (g) of sugar, fill it in the container.
  3. Pour in 500ml of tap water, and 250ml of boiling water (ratio 2:1).
  4. Do not shake the bottle, let the sugar sink to the bottom with lukewarm water.
  5. And now, put in 2.5ml (1/2 teaspoon) of yeast.
  6. Lastly, put in 5ml (1 teaspoon) of Soda bicarbonate.
  7. Quickly seal the cover to prevent any bacteria get in the bottle.
  8. Put it in a corner for about an hour to let the yeast fully active.

There is evidence that yeast mixtures last longer if you decrease the amount of yeast, and conversely last shorter periods if more yeast is used. Lower yeast also means less CO2 produced per minute, but produce more consistantly over time. Higher yeast levels will cause an initial higher burst of CO2 production with a gradually declining production over time. Keep this in mind while experimenting.

DIY a 1 litre 'milk' bottle is simple, punch a hole and put in a connector and air tube on top the cover and sealed the cover with hot glue gun after mixing yeast, soda and sugar. While this is probably the best method available, it can be cost prohibitive. A nice compromise is the DIY CO2 system. nowadays need to mix in between 9~12 days, and using 2 bottles to push out more bubbles to get 25~35ppm.


DIY a simple plastic container with drilling 2 holes on top the cover and put on the hose connector and air tube, sealed it with the hot glue gun. Then, that is a bubble counter. Later fill in some water to let the bubble out from the tube for counting.


Bought the CO2 reactor on 2006. It works good, diffuse Co2 in water achieve near to perfect. I like it! Even better then the conservative type. And the surface skimmer works good too, no more oil slick on the water surface.

5 comments:

Aquatic Hobbyist said...

Saf-instant yeast, cool! i'm going to get one... let's see if it works out the max.

Akmal said...

cool! going to give this recipe a try this weekend

Anonymous said...

Hi, what do u meant by 250ml of sugar? in ml or grams? 250ml sugar + 500ml tap water + 250ml boiling water + 2.5ml yeast + 5ml soda = 1007.5ml already but u are using 1 liter bottle? pls advice.

Aquatic Hobbyist said...

Proven. Saf-Instant Yeast is working. My yeast is having problem previously. PUT YOUR YEAST IN FROZEN PLACE.... Thanks for advice Jason! I'm using 2x2liter bottle, same instructions. I think 1liter bottle still ok.

Jason C. said...

Alwyn,
I am using the baking measuring cup, all stated in "ml". Normally sugar will melt into the water, then wont exceeed 1 litre bottle. You may try once, then will get what I meant.