DIY CO2 Generator: Slight modification

Hi,

I thought of a slight modification, in the CO2 generator, for easy delivery of CO2.

What if we pump small amount of air through the fermenting broth (fermenting mixture), and attach it to a airing stone in Aquarium? I have posted a construction picture.

I have one more question. I have been making wines at home, for quiet a while now. I have read and followed the practice to keep the must (fermenting mixture) pH acidic, (in the range 3 to 4) for minimizing some ill products, increasing the yeast productivity etc. I have made a few gallons og wine this way, and it was good and without contamination.

Here, I have read to add some baking soda to increase the pH.

By: pepetj
on: December 29th, 2008, 10:37 PM
in:

"2) Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to raise your recipe pH, yeast will work a lot better that way.
3) jump-start your mixture: I add the diluted two cups of sugar to the sterilized bottle first to every bottle I am preparing, then one by one I do the following: mix hot and cold water until I get tepid water being careful of not going over 100F. Add the yeast and the baking soda, mix well by shaking with a small teaspoon, and add to the 2L bottles."

Can someone please clarify, because I have obtained good results with acidic pH around 3.5 also.

Thanks.

 

I believe most bacteria would have problems in either end (extremely high or low pH) while yeast seems to be tough in that regard.

I figure, since I don't know for sure, that since it's easier to increase pH (just add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda into 2L mixture) than to decrease it (I do tamper some of my tanks' pH, from 7.8 to 6.8, and managed to crash -experimentally- to 4.5) it has become a common practice. However, I do sterilize the bottles every time I reload the mixture, maybe that wouldn't be needed in a highly acidic mixture?

Thanks for the info, I had no idea about that approach.

As for the airpump... I'll give this some thought and get back to you. I know that the Sanders Floramat CO2 generator can be used with an airpump but there seems to be some drawbacks...

Pepe
Santo Domingo

 

I think that the addition of the airpump would hamper any CO2 trying to diffuse into the aquarium water. The added agitation would hinder things more than help them.

I had the same thought (pumping air into the "stew"), but I'm pretty sure it's best just to let the CO2 bubble out on its own.

 

I believe adding air inside the generator would undermine the chances of yeast surviving due to likeliness of aerobic bacteria to grow there.

ckarta: have you tried it? I was rambling a bit and came up with the idea of inserting an airpump inside the CO2 generator or the gas separator to keep a stable output pressure wise. It will need to be a small pump, say around 1L/min or 0.12MPa which should only be turned on once the system is producing enough CO2.

I draw a sketch using a 5 gallon drinking water bottle, if airpump is to be installed inside this unit (it could be placed in a smaller bottle, say 1gal); otherwise the standard 2L assembly for the CO2 generator if the airpump is to be installed inside the gas separator.

rigid rubber tops (like those used in chemistry labs)
A small airpump (insulation of electrical contact and most metallic parts should be considered since it will operate under a CO2+H20 saturated atmosphere.
A standard 20oz (maybe larger?) bottle for gas separator if the airpump is going inside the CO2 generator, or a one gallon bottle if airpump is to be placed inside this part.

Hey folks this is barely like thinking out loud, I haven't considered feasibility of this idea at all, this might be undoable for either safety or design flawed ideas.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

 

Thanks pepetj, your idea of putting a slow pump inside the CO2 generator, looks fine, because adding air to the generator may help aerobic microbe growth. I think it shall be easier done within a gas separator. Will try it now and then post.

 

My only ? is what happens if the Electric goes out?

 

My only ? is what happens if the Electric goes out?

That's definitely an intelligent question!

Pressure will build up and a messy, sticky and stinky mixture will likely spread around.

A security "release" valve is therefor a must in this design.

Thanks for the observation

Pepe
Santo Domingo

 

Ya I think you mean the vacuum I did know if the back siphine would blow the seal and flood the room.

 

back syphon shouldnt be a problem if the check valve is functioning properly.