Co2 Systems

Many of our current projects incorporate DIY CO2 systems. These systems can be based on either a chemical reaction or a biological process:

Biological Reaction: Created using yeast, sugar, and water.
Chemical Reaction: Created using citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and water.

We will provide a list of recipes below for these methods.

Alternatively, a third option is to use a CO2 system with a refillable CO2 tank. This approach, while requiring periodic visits to refill the tank, is the most reliable and cost-effective solution in the long term.

Pros and Cons of CO2 Systems

Each type of CO2 system has its own advantages and disadvantages, primarily related to:

Duration: How long the system lasts before needing to be reset.
Pressure: The amount of pressure generated.

For instance, the citric acid and sodium bicarbonate method generates significant pressure. Because of this, we recommend using a system designed to handle high PSI rather than relying on a soda bottle.

⚠️ Caution: Using a soda bottle with high-pressure systems can be dangerous. A compromised bottle can become a high-velocity projectile, posing serious risks.

Biological CO2 System Setup

For our biological CO2 systems, we typically use a single-bottle setup. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Materials for DIY Systems (Biological or Chemical):

Two-liter bottle
Bottle cap with airline connector
Airline tubing
Needle valve
Solenoid
Diffuser
One-way air valve

For those new to DIY systems, there are also kits available that support a two-bottle method. The second bottle acts as a filter to ensure the CO2 is properly cleaned before use. These kits include the necessary parts for setting up a bottle system.