Anybody have a Clscea CO2 generator?

[Corbidorbidoodle]

I got this guy with a bunch of other stuff at a thrift shop a while back. People online seem to like it okay. But they say they're getting 4-6 weeks of CO2 at 4+ BPS. I'm only getting 2.5-4 weeks at ~1 BPS.

What has your experience been? Am I doing something wrong? Do you think it's broken or leaking?

Thanks, y'all.

[AllFishNoBrakes]

I have 2 of these. Not the exact brand, but 2 separate “mix your own” generators. 
 

I haven’t had any issues. I’d say I get 5-6 weeks out of mine at ~1 bubble per second. 
 

I mix 200 grams of citric acid, 200 grams of baking soda, and 300ml water. 

[Corbidorbidoodle]

When you first mix up the elements, do you get all the way up to 40 psi? I find it only gets to about 30.

Should it get all the way up to the green area or max optimal whatever?

How low do you let it get before you have to refill?

[AllFishNoBrakes]

@Corbidorbidoodle

At the mix described, I get pretty optimal pressure in the bottle, essentially the max I would be comfortable with. About 26 kg/cm2 and about 325 psi on the other (they’re the same, just different units to measure it). 
 

I let mine get to basically 0 before I change it. As the pressure in the bottle decreases I have to mess with the needle valve to get it back to 1 bubble per second, and I just let it ride. When I open the bottles to re-mix there’s very little c02 that I “lose”. 
 

I pull mine from the tanks on maintenance day, rinse out the bottles and let them dry, do a new mix, and then hook them back up the following day. Essentially, I try to give it about 24 hours to let the pressure in the bottle get full before I hook it back up and adjust the needle valve to where I need it. 

 

These bottles were mixed last week, so obviously some has been used in the week leading up to today 

Edited September 28, 2022 by AllFishNoBrakes

[Corbidorbidoodle]

You're getting really good results. I should double check my measurements and setup to make sure everything is working properly.

[AllFishNoBrakes]

I use a kitchen scale to ensure my measurements are proper. 
 

The only other thing I do is, once I have the top back on I swirl the bottle a couple of times. Directions tell you explicitly to not do this, but I haven’t had any detrimental results from it. Can’t say I recommend it as it goes directly against the directions but…

[Jason A.]

Something you should look into before doing is adding mostly ice in that 300ml of water so it doesn't start the co2 process as much before you seal off the canister

[AllFishNoBrakes]

I’ve heard of doing that, but don’t feel like I’m really losing much. I’ve gotten pretty quick with sealing up the bottle, and the pressure I’m getting from the mix is representative of that. 
 

Good tip, though! I just don’t have the patience for that lol 

[Patrick_G]

Congratulations on finding one at a thrift store, that would’ve made my week! 

[A3M0N]

On 9/28/2022 at 10:10 PM, Patrick_G said:

Congratulations on finding one at a thrift store, that would’ve made my week! 

Right?!