[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
C02 reactors
Don Griffis made an interesting post re the relative high rate of
absorption from compressed co2 bottle. I agree. In an effort to save a
few bucks I ran an air line from a T after the bubble counter to a tank
upstairs. Before it entered the tank I had an old brass "end" valve that
could shut off the flow. This line was run into an inverted 2l pop
bottle (bottom half). I can fill the bell and within 3 hours there is
only a 1/8 inch bubble left in the top of the bell. I kept filling it
one day and then checked the pH. Found it was lower than the main tank.
BTW, this is a 40 hi tank.
In another tank I have a Sandpoint co2 reactor. It's a piece of junk
with most of the bubbles getting away. My conclussion is that an
inverted pop bottle would be more effective. I sort of assuumed the bell
jar was a good way to go to prevent too much co2 getting into the tank
but I would caution folks this works so good you should monitor your pH
to make sure you don't overdose with co2.
BTW, the king of reactors is the Dupla or home made equivalent (easy to
make). I have played with the flow into the Dupla reactor and find that
it ttakes a huge flow rate and will still disolve all the co2.
I have no idea why yeast co2 would be slower to dissolve than compressed
tank co2. It is my understanding that compressed co2 comes from brewerys
and therefore is a product of fermentation like we have in the DIY units.
Some day I will get an extra needle valve and allow a constant flow into
my little bell jar. Using regular air line fittings doesn't seem to work
well. You would be surprised to find how much most of them leak. This
is a case of getting what you pay for.
--Earle Hamilton from northern Michigan where coral once grew