Jello in DIY CO2 Systems?

Question

I'm trying a new formula for co2 production tonight. Does anybody think this is any good, or a waste of time? Do you have a favorite co2 production formula?

2 Packets Jello (the sugared kind)
1 & 1/2 cups sugar.
Some children's gummy b vitamins.

I'll make that into jello inside 2 litre bottles. After it solidifies, I'll add 1/2 teaspoon of yeast, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (to get things started), and fill it up with lukewarm water.

Does this seem like a worthwhile formula to try?

MagicMan1: The brown sugar was intended to start co2 production quicker. Jello suspensions take a while to start producing co2, and brown sugar seems to have the highest initial co2 production curve with yeast from what I've read on the internet. It produces higher initial volumes of co2 and then peters out quickly... so i figured that by the time the sugar in the jello starts getting consumed, the brown sugar will expire.

Basically its a way to cheat out of the reported low initial production curve imposed by the jello suspension & get it down to a few hours. Maybe the brown sugar is a bad idea...

Answer 1

The only question I would have is why the brown sugar to get it going. All the yeast really wants is pure sugar, so why the sulfurs and such that is in brown sugar? Honest question not at all rhetorical. If you don't want to explain in posts, just drop me an email. Bet you could melt the vitamins in the still warm jello the even out the b concentrations of course, you wouldn't want it to get too hot either.

Answer 2

I guess your objective is to get the bottle to produce a constant CO2 for a longer period?

That's a good attempt, I really don't know if it's gonna work but I applaud your effort :)

I was thinking of the by-product produce by the yeast when they start consuming the jello. What will it be?

Will the by-product retard the growth of the yeast? I always suspect that the problem why a standard DIY sugar/yeast CO2 generator stops producing gas is not because it run short of sugar to consume but due to the buildup of waste or maybe a reduction of pH or something else.

Do try it and tell us your result, (e-mail if possible) maybe you'll be successful and we'll have a better DIY CO2 formula.

Anyway I guess, it's should not makes much of a difference what's the inital food you use as long as it something the yeast accept. I know some guys here use glucose too.

Answer 3

the jello is a bad idea. Why would you need suspension?
jello will rot really quick. It's animal protein after all. You'll have the foulest smelling thing. And jello won't stay a solid in room temp.

if you want, use agar agar, for suspension. It's a seaweed based medium used in petri dish cultures.

instead of jello, try a little fertilizer & calcium.

Answer 4

Run this theory and formula by the people at "Talking Reef.Com"These guys live for these kind of diy projects .Sounds like it could work but ,I'm not that brave lol.Best of luck and thanks for sharing.If you don't post again ill take your idea to the talking reef forum and see what the biologist have to say bout it.

Answer 5

sounds nuts