Big Co

[CBBP]

Well... my little 3 liter bottle has been retired in my bedroom and moved downstairs to my 29 gallon tank where it is working perfectly. It has been replaced by Big CO. It is a 5 gallon water cooler jug that holds enough sugar and water to, theroetically, keep the yeast alive with food for 2 weeks for sure.. maybe 3 weeks if I am lucky. The best part is it can feed my goldfish tank and my tropical tank at the same time.

Pictures:

 

[andywg]

the biggest problem that causes yeast CO2 cultures to need maintenance isn't the lack of food, so much that the yeast colony dies once it prodcues too much alcohol. Different yeasts have different tolerances. Bakers has the lowest, brewers is better, and champagne yeast can last a very long time.

 

[CBBP]

the biggest problem that causes yeast CO2 cultures to need maintenance isn't the lack of food, so much that the yeast colony dies once it prodcues too much alcohol. Different yeasts have different tolerances. Bakers has the lowest, brewers is better, and champagne yeast can last a very long time.

oh I am aware.. thus why the thing is so big.. 3 weeks worth of suger is only 3 cups.. which is nothing.. thus is has 4 and then some gallons for the alcohol to dilude into ans thus the yeast don't die as fast.. yes?

 

[andywg]

You will probably find that as there is more food available the colony will grow much quicker and produce a lot of CO2, but I would still expect maintenance at least every 3-4 weeks.

If you got hold of champagne yeast then you should be alright for much longer (I have read of 3-6 months between maintenance).

However, the green thumbed peeps would know more than I.

 

[CBBP]

well every 3 to for 4's is betetr then the weekly maintance I have been doing.. so far is has gone

so far it has been 1 week s=with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

You can make your yeast culture last twice as long by adding teaspoon bicarbonated soda to the mix, my 2l bottles still bubble at 4 weeks old. I rotate two bottles changing every two weeks. Check out my planted tank post to see them in action. 8)

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=153410

 

[CBBP]

umm.. bicarbonate soda.. aka. baking soda right?

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

umm.. bicarbonate soda.. aka. baking soda right?

Yep, plain baking soda you buy in the super market for cleaning,deodoriser and used in cooking. Do you know what your KH and GH stats are for your water? If they're low you have soft water and the yeast froaths and dies quicker due to alcohol. Bicarb is just a stabilising additive to make the process last longer. 8)