trouty

Nutter

I think you mean multiple yeast generators rather than multiple diffusers but that's niether here nor there. I run all my DIY co2 rigs with multiple generators so that I can have a more consistant supply of co2. Depending on the recipe you use you will probably find that when you first make up a mix, it will produce large amounts of co2 for a few days before settling down into a more normal supply for 10-14 days & then it will start to taper off slowly until there is no more bubbles being produced. Assuming a mixture produces for 14 days before the bubble production starts to die right off, You would make a new mixture in alternating bottles every 7 days. That way you are getting close to the full life out of your mixture while keeping the supply of co2 fairly consistant.

You can make a bubble counter out of a small coke bottle or the like. Just make it up the same way you would the yeast generator, except put two holes in the lid. Put the co2 line from the yeast generator through one of the holes & pull it right through so that it will extend close to the bottom of the bottle when the lid is put back on. Through the other hole in the lid you put your co2 line that goes to your filter. Trim that line close to lid just like you did with the generator. Fill the small bottle half full with water & put the cap back on it. You will now have the co2 line into the bottle under the water allowing you to count the bubbles as they come from the generator. The other line should be well above the water level in the bottle & will carry the co2 to your diffuser, (filter).

trouty

Im trying to make sence of your bubble counter.. hahah I have to think it through or see a diagram

trouty

I found a helpful video on youtube. maybe il try it tomorrow, looks like another blizzard so far! I should have all the time I need while im snowed in tomorrow and I also need to look into check valves. my co2 generators are above the tank so im not so worried about draining my tank or anything but would it be smart to stop the bubbles at night when lights go out. ( using some sort of check valve if I can find 1) Keeping in mind I dont want my generators to explode!

Nutter

Much easier just to leave the co2 running 24/7 & have an air stone running when the lights are out to avoid large pH fluctuations & possible oxygen shortages. A timer on an airpump makes it nice & easy. Check valves are usefull on co2 set ups but in a different way. If you have multiple generators that all run into one airline going to your tank, put a check valve on each individual line between the generator & the place where the lines merge. That way when you need to make up a new yeast mix, you don't lose pressure through the whole system & the other bottles can keep pumping co2 into the tank. Here's a link to someone else's thread on diy co2: http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/di...2-reactor.html Scroll down the page a bit & you will see an entry from me that has pics of the bubble counter/sump arrangement & the placement of check valves on the system.

trouty

thats also a good point Id rather run the co2 generator 24/7 to avoid ph fluctuations. Im still gathering info on how to build my bubble counter, still confusing i need a pic or a diagram. also what is the best way to add co2 into the aquarium? straight into the canister intake like iv been doing? It seems like the most benificial way to go about it but is there a better technique? thanks guys!

Nutter

Running the co2 into a canister filter or internal filter works pretty well & is what I do on most of my tanks. You can buy proper diffusers but many of them are not that great. I've tried a few different sorts & havn't come across one that I'm hapy with yet.

Bear with my poor skills using Paint. Here are a couple of very basic diagrams of a diy bubble counter & a diy inline CO2 diffuser. The first diagram is the bubble counter & shows the principle only. You need to apply the idea to a small bottle. The second is the co2 diffuser & is fairly self explanatory & goes inline before the canister filter. Most people put them on the outlet side of thier filter but I find mine works best on the inlet side. Sorry I'm without a camera at the moment so I can't take pics of my arrangements.

Attached Images

	Bubble Counter.jpg (24.8 KB, 79 views)
	Inline Co2 Diffuser.jpg (39.4 KB, 81 views)

trouty

I think I got this but I have 2 generators. Is it possible to connect them both to one bubble counter? Diagrams are very helpful, post them up everyone!

trouty

I jus saw a bubble counter made out of a seringe it looked pretty cool

Nutter

If you click on the link I provided in post 5 of this thread, it will take you to another thread. Go to post 6 in there & you will see my diy rig along with close up pics of the bubble counter that I use. There are 3 lines in the lid of the bubble counter bottle. 2 or those lines go to co2 generators, (big black containers), & the other line goes to an internal filter as a diffuser.

trouty

thanks that was very helpful i see exactly what I need to do now All I need is a couple more check valves and Im good 2 go! thanks again

trouty

guess who successfully finished his bubble counter! Im good to go thanks everyone

Nutter

Good stuff. Happy to help. Don't forget to post some pics so we can check out your tank.

Nate McFin

Nice pics in the link you gave in post 5 nutter. Very slick set up! Where do you guys get your check valves? I run a nice one on my pressurized system but I dont want to fork over $20 for one of those if I dont have to.

Those aren't Radiator coolant jugs are they??

Nutter

I just get check valves from my LFS. Cost something like $5 for two. I wouldn't pay $20 for one in a blue fit of murder. The bottles are 5lt Bleach bottles. I had to use bleach to sterilise one of my large tanks so I've got a few of them lying around. I've also used old 5lt hydroponic nutrient bottles. The larger bottles are so much better than the 2lt. The mixture lasts longer, (6-8 weeks good production), & the larger surface area seems to produce more bubbles to. I'll never use another 2lt bottle for co2.

trouty

I would be more than happy to post pics! that is if I knew how