Alright, ah hear alyu.
I was unable to update this weekend because of work related issues and I was rethinking my original plans. While I was pondering the plans, I was working on other DYI projects namely my workbench and a yeast co2 reactor for my aquarium plants (aquarium plants go ape sh*t for co2).
The workbench was really easy as I had a couple of skids from work (really heavy as they transported some servers that Cisco sent to the office). I was striping the skids apart then I was thinking that the lower parts of the skid made for a good frame for drawers and other little things I would need when I am sawing and all that (vice grip and other little attachments). So I left them intact and I just measured and levelled the lower and upper skid using 2x4. Still have a bit of work to do, like add draws, lengthen the table top/smoothen the existing top and then varnish. One of these work in progress things, but it’s a start and always a good project for any DIYer.
For the CO2 reactor (pics below) all you really need is 2 bottles, one for the yeast and sugar mixture and the other has plain water to separate the gas for any yeast gunk that might have moved through the tube. Then I had a check valve for water that might syphon back from the pond to the bottles.
I had to figure out how to dissolve the co2 in the water before it escaped to the surface. For this I added a small container at the end of the tube and put some scrubbing pad at the mouth to stop the bubbles from escaping.
Below is the finished product, I had to wait 24 hours for the yeast to really start gobbling up the sugar to produce the co2, then I realized that the pressure wasn’t building up in the yeast bottle because one of the seals was leaking. Had to re-silicone the cover and wait another 24 hours, then the pressure was building up properly and I was getting bubbles of co2 every second (the way it should be).
Now I’m battling an algae bloom and some hair algae on some of the plants which might have been caused by a combination of having the light was too close to the water/and on for 24x7. I had to deal with that before the plants all died and then the wife will kill me for wasting all the yeast and sugar LOL. Anyway, check out the pics and you’ll get the idea.
I’m still awaiting a couple of friends to come over to move the 100 gal tank outside so I can re-silicone it, but then I was thinking that I don’t want to be outside when it’s cold and the silicone might not cure properly. I might just move the tank into the furnace room where it is warm, problem is if the tank is curing the fumes might end up being circulated through the vent system. Not sure what I might do with that yet, or I might just put the tank into the basement area and just suck up the beating that the wife going to give me because of the smell. Anyway, my friend from work might pass by this weekend to help me move the tank, when he comes by I’ll decide what I will do.
Once the tank is in the basement I’ll have time to decide which wall I’m going to use. The first pic would have been the original wall that I wanted to use. I would have stripped the carpet around 2 feet then make a room for the tank.
Problem is that behind that wall is a storage room that might wife uses, and she might not like the moisture build up. The other problem is that I have no drains near that room and to clean the tank I’ll have to run a hose through the basement area into the bathroom around 15 – 20 ft away (water and carpet don’t really mix).
The other idea I have is to use the unused space under my staircase that leads into the basement from the main floor.
I should have enough room to place the tank/sump/equipment without me losing sq footage and it will only be a few feet away from a sink and drain for easy clean up and no carpet will be affected really. Problem, I have central vac system/light switch/light/power socket all along that wall like it’s no tomorrow. If I do go with this idea, one of the lights and power socket will be diverted into that room, but I might have to relocate everything else. This thing getting complicated and I’m not even sure if I’ll need a permit for any of the electrical work being done (what they don’t see wouldn’t hurt them yes). Anyway, while the tank is being fixed will give me some time to decide if I’m going to use the existing wall on the right (leading to the storage room) or under the staircase.
Hey if anyone on doing construction or anything in the GTA area and have drywall/insulation/vapour barrier/2x4/interior door that they want to get rid of, hit me a pm and we could work something out (or if you just want to donate to the project....
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Will post when I am working on the tank.