Paul Higashikawa

O.K., guys, I figure since I often site this wonderful method as the top choice for DIY CO2 injection, I should therefore write an in-depth article on it so everyone can refer to it for future reference. This method, of course, is realized by Tarah Nyberg, whose article on this procedure can be found in TAG V17#2 Apr-Jun 2004 as well as an on-line PowerPoint file. I am merely summarizing what she has talked about. Anyone who is really interested in more detail should take a look at either of those two sources. Enough yapping; let's get right to it:

1. 1 cup of sugar per 2L of water. Water should be at room temperature; too high or too cold will inhibit the culture growth. Also, it is good to use tank water or dechlorinated water as chlorine is harmful to yeast.

2. Add 1~2tsp of protein drink mix. The author suggested using soy powder as a cheaper alternative, which is what I do, and it works great.

3. *Optional*Add 1T molasses or 1tsp ammonium sulfate(yeast growth benefits from ammonia, hence the use of tank water).

4. 1tsp baking soda to maintain pH stability.

5. One can opt to leave yeast from the previous mixture on the bottom of the container or use new batch. It is faster if the previous batch is saved and used.

There ya have it. I only listed the proper steps. As to the how and why each step is being done, you should refer to the original source as I've already mentioned. Everything listed here has a reason and wasn't conjured up out of the author's own imagination. She is an avid scientist who conducts experiments related to yeast cultures. All the credit goes to Professor Nyberg. Thank you all, and have a happy DIY CO2 adventure!!!


Paul

turtlehead

which one is better yeast or this? which one is safer as in if you mess up or if theres a clog which one will be more damaging? and what's say powder?

HanshaSuro

I'm intrigued but I wasn't able to find the original by using Google. Can you post a link or suggest some search terms?

gnatster

Power Point Presentation from 03 AGA. Warning, opens as a Power Point Presentation will need either Power Point or the Power Point viewer.

HeyPK

It is soy powder, not say powder. I don't know exactly what it is, but it is some soybean product that is probably available at health food stores. Maybe even ordinary grocery stores.

I think the advantages of this method are basically from the addition of the protein, the ammonium sulfate, and the baking soda. The first two aid the growth of the yeast, and the last keeps the pH in an optimum range.

This method is no different than other methods as far as clogging up unless it causes a significantly more rapid initial CO2 production. This method probably gets more CO2 from a given amount of sugar.

Paul Higashikawa

Thanks to the mods for making it into a sticky. I am a pc illiterate so once again, thank you


Soy powder?! I think I did spell s.o.y. You can find them at any grocery store. They are very cheap, as are molasses.

As far as the clogging factor, you just have to make sure whenever you do the periodic maintenance to watch out for the tubes. Check to see if there's anything stuck inside. Sometimes the pressure built-up from the container can force certain 'crud' content into the tubing. You simply squeeze the tube and then pull the stuff out along it. It's very simple. That's about the only downside as far as I'm concerned.

All in all, I think DIY CO2 is a wonderful alternative injection method. I still highly recommend the pressurized system, and view it as a part of the 'rite of passage' of using CO2. Sooner or later, we all should have either or both experiences. It's all part of the integral process that is in our great endeavour in having a lush plant growths!

Paul

Piscesgirl

I use this method ever since I first read it in TAG (Journal of the AGA), and I can't say enough how great it is. The amount of Co2 production is so much higher.

By the way, Ammonium Sulfate is also known as Yeast Nutrient. I also find that a bit of room-temp juice (NOT OJ which seems to create bad bacteria), but like Ocean Spray Cranberry juice, makes the end result smell so much better

I've found a grocery store brand of protein powder that works fine, called Adkins Advantage, $8 for a big container. I liked Spiruteen the best, but it was a bit expensive to use.

HanshaSuro

Gnat,

Thank you for the link.

Bender

My experience with this "improved" method (adding soy flour) was not exactly satisfying. I was using DIY CO2 (yeast-sugar-soda) for more than 2 years and it worked well. Then I tried method with adding soy after reading TAG article. Didn't go for protein mix coz it would cost too much.

My aim was to get longer and more stable CO2 production, but got none of it. At first it looked like it works great, but then just died suddenly, much sooner than expected . Other setup worked fine for a few days, then I found mix in my tube just a few cm before it would get into tank , never happened with regular mix.
Bottles I used for CO2 were darn hard to wash if at all

I did some testing with different quantities of sugar, with and without soy flour and my conclusions are that soy mix starts faster, go stronger for few days but dies much sooner than non soy mix. Maybe the sugar is used up faster, don't know.

For me this method was much more messy and less controllable. I'm glad it works for some people, but for me it was PITA.

I dumped everything into trash and went pressurized...

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trenac

Thanks for the sticky, heard of the method before but never paid much attention to it. I think I'm going to give it a shot a see how it compares to the method I use now (sugar,yeast).