Testing the Bio2 CO2 producing bucket

[Dready_jake]

Ya that mount panel is something extra you buy. Could never bring myself to pay for stuff like that lol we can figure out a way that doesnt cost as much lol

 

[CoCoSativas]

I can make a mount out of two pieces of wood if I was inclined. Im not ill look into hanging the fan tonight.

I have to brew a new batch of bio2 stuff tonight. I started this on the 22 of march, only used 3 pack of stuff, so im getting more than a week a pack. Ive got 4 weeks out of three packs. So far im getting more gas time than mmp says. Way to go buddy.

Well time to go haul out a air king fan and take apart the parabolic I was using before. I gotta organize my joint today its a little untidy and I need room to work. I hope the fan instal dosent take to long tonight I worked all week and I want some of this weekend to enjoy.

 

[Dready_jake]

I heard that buddy

 

[CoCoSativas]

I passed out yesterday around 2, woke up at 5 then slacked the night away. Didnt do lickity split... Unfortunate because I work today and im going to be tired later.

Damn indica weed. Bought some "kush" which is actually really low grade commercial skunk. It puts me to sleep. No fun... Only bonus is I can get fucked up on percocet all day. Ya ya work blah blah, I dont drive and its working for family who are also high on the shit 24/7 so im not too worried. Its pretty simple stuff so i cant really bomb it.

Changed mix last night. I taped the seedling heat mat around the bucket to see if it would be blowing gas this morning instead of tonight. Yes it worked. Neat little trick to find out. Keeping it up to temperature when starting the mix starts it quickly.

Im glad mmp slapped the sticker thermometer on the bucket. It works well, and is all thats needed for this product, after a couple weeks observation I have stopped using my hanna pen to check temp before mixing. The sticky is accurate enough.

After work ill throw up some new pics. I just dont have time right now

 

[CoCoSativas]

Finally got all the shit done that I needed to do. Parabolic, disassembled. Bio2 changed and kicking ass, and I built a veg box out of a wardrobe box and white polly. It works.

Finally have a evening to relax. Too bad im almost out of dope... Cant wait to crop I wont need to buy for a bit. I hope I get enough to last a while.

 

[CoCoSativas]

Smokindogcujo, thanks for the k+ and silently lurking. Glad to see the thread is catching peoples attention.

So far I love the bio2. I will likely run it anytime im doing tent projects. The meter dosent lie, its blowing a ton of gas I cant wait to see if I get a decent yield.

If I dont, its my phenos. Ive been on top of pretty much everything, I know how to grow.

Im seeing alot of interesting phenos in the tent. That strawberry is supposed to be a crazy branchy bush, mine looks like stick haze pheno. Only reason I havent thrown the clone is it may be stellar dope, ill have to wait to find out.

 

[RockinRobot]

Been following and lurking for some time. I know the buckets work.

What I need to know from you now is

1) How much have you spent on sugar so far
2) How many yeast supplement packs have you had to use and what would those cost each time if you were actually having to buy them, instead of getting them free for the purpose of this test?

It costs me $27 to get a 20lb co2 tank filled. That lasts 2 months and I can get precise control. So if it costs more than $27 every 2 months for the yeast packs and sugar then the buckets are a waste in my book.

 

[CoCoSativas]

Been following and lurking for some time. I know the buckets work.

What I need to know from you now is

1) How much have you spent on sugar so far
2) How many yeast supplement packs have you had to use and what would those cost each time if you were actually having to buy them, instead of getting them free for the purpose of this test?

It costs me $27 to get a 20lb co2 tank filled. That lasts 2 months and I can get precise control. So if it costs more than $27 every 2 months for the yeast packs and sugar then the buckets are a waste in my book.

Ive spent 15 on sugar in a month, and went through what would have been 30 bucks worth of stuff.

Yes by month the bottle is cheaper (in a sealed room I take it?) but with the start up cost of bottle vs bucket in my area bucket is much more economical. Plus the bucket im only bringing in sugar and packs of stuff that fit in my pocket.

Also want to point out a controller in my area retails between 300 for a simple wack piece of crap to 550 for a legit controller. Id rather not use co2 than pay for a bottle setup. The bottle is was overpriced and a pain in my ass. I got into growing hoping I could have it co exsist with my real life, not take it over. Going around filling bottles is not how I want to spend my free time, I already waste enough time just to get high.

 

[RockinRobot]

Thanks I understand the initial costs of bottles are more. And for a small grow the bucket may be easier.

I just wanted to get a true idea of the cost of the buckets.

Right now I am using just a timer controlled regulator to control CO2 until I can afford a good PPM level sensor/controller. But your cost is roughly $45/ month ($15 sugar and $30 yeast and additives) = $90 / 2months for the buckets. That equates to $30/month that could go to a controller. Your $300 controller is paid off in 10 months. the $500 one only a couple months longer. Even in a small tent Bottles would pay for themselves.

Not trying to bash the buckets I know they work but I wanted to make sure my math was right as I had looked into doing DIY buckets and the sugar was cost prohibitive over long time. Also didn't care for the mess and smell dumping out the buckets once all the sugar is converted to alcohol.

IMHO if you going to do CO2 from yeast then you should become a Home brewer. Brew your beer in the tent for CO2. Then you can get drunk and stoned...

Thanks again

 

[CoCoSativas]

Thanks I understand the initial costs of bottles are more. And for a small grow the bucket may be easier.

I just wanted to get a true idea of the cost of the buckets.

Right now I am using just a timer controlled regulator to control CO2 until I can afford a good PPM level sensor/controller. But your cost is roughly $45/ month ($15 sugar and $30 yeast and additives) = $90 / 2months for the buckets. That equates to $30/month that could go to a controller. Your $300 controller is paid off in 10 months. the $500 one only a couple months longer. Even in a small tent Bottles would pay for themselves.

Not trying to bash the buckets I know they work but I wanted to make sure my math was right as I had looked into doing DIY buckets and the sugar was cost prohibitive over long time. Also didn't care for the mess and smell dumping out the buckets once all the sugar is converted to alcohol.

IMHO if you going to do CO2 from yeast then you should become a Home brewer. Brew your beer in the tent for CO2. Then you can get drunk and stoned...

Thanks again

do you have a meter to make sure the cyxle you are running is blowing enough co2? Or not too much?

Tents getting hot and the bio2 is blowing too much gas. I dont want my plants getting necrosis from too much. I had to place the bucket outside of the tent so it cools off and produces less gas.

I can see the co2 in the room is adding to the size of the buds. They are pretty large for where they are in the cycle. They will only get bigger from here

 

[CoCoSativas]

So the bucket is leaking a little smell out of the top where the little plastic connection meets the tube and the bucket lid.



Im a handy guy. I have some waterproof slicone caulking for showers. It lasts a long time. I understand why the shop dosent seal it themselves like this though, its ugly. If I had have been more careful with the thing I wouldnt have needed to caulk it.

Honestly myself personally id rather have something ugly that works really well than something thats pretty but functions at less than 100 %.

So far the bucket has been modified a couple times since I got it. The sticky thermometer was added, sealing tape around the rim, and now I have caulked the top connection. I feel the bucket is now about as good as its going to get. I have warmed it with a heating mat taped to the side with excellent results. Ive also found I am able to increase and decrease the production by placing the bucket in warmer or cooler locations.

Now that its outside the tent again its perfect, the output is ideal.

The only feedback I have to its improvement is to add the mods we have so far to the test bucket and make them stock. Either tape comes stock or a better sealing bucket? The sticky thermometer, mmp is a killer smart dude on tjat one... As far as the caulking, maybe a slightly sturdier connection, or possibly consider a caulking solution... I have found since sealing it tonight, theres a huge difference in smell in the room. When its in the tent oh well, filter for that bit outside the tent, i preffer it sealed as much as possible. Bonus is less loss of the co2 to the outside room.

Not slamming anything about the bio2, I love it. My buds are swelling really big, really fast.

I would like to thank mmp for the opportunity to do this product test. Your bucket kicks ass man.
Hope to see you pop by soon. Know you are busy but maybe you have something to say about the mods on the bucket? Maybe you might have another trick up your sleeve...

Thanks to everyone watching and participating in the thread. You guys make this fun and that motivates me to do this.

 

[MegaMassPlants]

Hey coco, it's funny that you happened to mention all the issues we discovered in our testing also. We did not include our own branded and better sealing bucket because we assumed that most retail stores would want to sell the stock buckets they already have and also cause it would increase shipping costs and the price of the system for said retailers.
This is why we chose to start our line with an optional accessory kit. The kit contains a Stir stick, a bucket opener, since it's kinda hard sometimes to get the lid off without making a mess, a rubber mallet to help seal the pail properly, a length of the sealing tape( same stuff you got from the shop) , and the press on temperature gauge( which we also tested to ensure it measured correctly through a standard pail).
I agree with you. Your fix on the lid is UGLY! I really think all you need is a little dab of the caulking, right on the threads of the joiner, as you are about to screw it in. I have not had the small amount of odor it creates and that escapes out when not sealed fully to be a huge issue.(granted, my sense of smell is not the best. Must be from all the smoke...coff coff)
However, I have had customers say that there wives did not mind the Bio2 odor as compared to regular brew methods and that they were not able to use co2 before because of this issue. But now they can!
I also worry somewhat about the heating mat for the bucket system. I agree it will work to keep levels charged but also think you may see elevated levels above what is optimum.(funny thing to say about a natural enhancement system. Would love to see the competition try and say the same).
In our extensive product tests we discovered that it is usually not necessary if the bucket is raised off of a cold floor. The hid lighting used in most gardens will typically raise the room temps enough to increase production of the system. If you are using led lighting this may not be the case and use of a heater is most likely needed. We have toyed with using insulating wraps....nothing definitive as to what works best.
I believe in the future we will release a branded properly sealing bucket to complete the system as we wish to deliver a complete and hassle free product.
Thanks cocosativas for helping to deliver the message of easy, natural co2 production. We appreciate your honesty and for delivering on what you agreed to and more.
And I am following the thread. I just don't think my input is warranted until wanted and
/ or needed.

 

[MegaMassPlants]

Been following and lurking for some time. I know the buckets work.

What I need to know from you now is

1) How much have you spent on sugar so far
2) How many yeast supplement packs have you had to use and what would those cost each time if you were actually having to buy them, instead of getting them free for the purpose of this test?

It costs me $27 to get a 20lb co2 tank filled. That lasts 2 months and I can get precise control. So if it costs more than $27 every 2 months for the yeast packs and sugar then the buckets are a waste in my book.

For an accurate accounting by your methods we would need to know how much a 20kg sack o sugar costs in your area. Where I am at it costs about $60 for a refill on a 20lb tank at the grow stores so I'm guessing sugar is probably cheaper in your area as well. I would also suggest to include the cost of your initial tank setup in this accounting as it all adds up to the end result. If you already own a tank and the gear for it, one would not think you would use the Bio2 bucket system in its place. Now if you were using a mycelium bag system or enhancer bottle thing, different story.

 

[CoCoSativas]

Hey coco, it's funny that you happened to mention all the issues we discovered in our testing also. We did not include our own branded and better sealing bucket because we assumed that most retail stores would want to sell the stock buckets they already have and also cause it would increase shipping costs and the price of the system for said retailers.
This is why we chose to start our line with an optional accessory kit. The kit contains a Stir stick, a bucket opener, since it's kinda hard sometimes to get the lid off without making a mess, a rubber mallet to help seal the pail properly, a length of the sealing tape( same stuff you got from the shop) , and the press on temperature gauge( which we also tested to ensure it measured correctly through a standard pail).
I agree with you. Your fix on the lid is UGLY! I really think all you need is a little dab of the caulking, right on the threads of the joiner, as you are about to screw it in. I have not had the small amount of odor it creates and that escapes out when not sealed fully to be a huge issue.(granted, my sense of smell is not the best. Must be from all the smoke...coff coff)
However, I have had customers say that there wives did not mind the Bio2 odor as compared to regular brew methods and that they were not able to use co2 before because of this issue. But now they can!
I also worry somewhat about the heating mat for the bucket system. I agree it will work to keep levels charged but also think you may see elevated levels above what is optimum.(funny thing to say about a natural enhancement system. Would love to see the competition try and say the same).
In our extensive product tests we discovered that it is usually not necessary if the bucket is raised off of a cold floor. The hid lighting used in most gardens will typically raise the room temps enough to increase production of the system. If you are using led lighting this may not be the case and use of a heater is most likely needed. We have toyed with using insulating wraps....nothing definitive as to what works best.
I believe in the future we will release a branded properly sealing bucket to complete the system as we wish to deliver a complete and hassle free product.
Thanks cocosativas for helping to deliver the message of easy, natural co2 production. We appreciate your honesty and for delivering on what you agreed to and more.
And I am following the thread. I just don't think my input is warranted until wanted and
/ or needed.

The smell isint really bad at all, I just had it sitting outside of the tent and didnt want any smell coming out. It didnt bother me or my wife. It was more about not losing any gas.

It was my fault for gorilla handling the lid.

Lid openers a good idea. I have to problem with the lid, even with the tape (which your partner at the shop said wouldnt be possible) but im pretty strong. The average persn may have trouble lifting the lid off of it.

I love this system. So far I couldnt say a flaw to it, just very small things that might be improved from stock (almost all of which is included with the upgrade package) im very happy to be checking it out. I think its interesting and I guess quite a few do to.

As far as using heating on the bucket, I make sure if im heating it up from cool (or keeping the start mix warm) I moniter the temp and moniter. As you said levels could get dangerously high very quickly if it gets out of control.

Use heating with these systems at your own risk!

Thank you also for pointing out we still dont have a price on a 20 kg sack of sugar yet. Im free saturday ill go find out. Maybe pop by the store, I feel complelled to buy more shit...

 

[CoCoSativas]

Bio2 wrapped in white poly. Room temp keeps the output perfect like this. When the light hits the bucket directly it blows too much gas.

Solution to every problem. Its possible to speed and slow production. Primative but it works. You wanna speed up production, heat it up. Slow it cool it down. Its pretty simple.

 

[CoCoSativas]

My temp is too high... Even with the cooltube... I have to play around a little more with this. Its because im recurculating the tents air. I may need to get a 25' piece of non insulated flexie duct... Then while the air is outside of the tent in the duct in can release some heat without loosing gas. Especially if I run the duct under the open window it gets cool enough at night it would probably help.

Im not really sure how else to cool the tent. Ideas?

 

[CoCoSativas]

Everyone in the room got seeded. F me a hermie-prone plant produced a hermie and dusted my shit. Lovely.


Since my heat is out of control recurculating air and my heat is too high im thinking I have to discontinuing running this test. I think this would be better left to a side by side in the wintertime.

Mmp ill be in to return the remaining pouches of mixture packages and your co2 meter.

Sorry to those following but I just cant keep running the test. My temps are too high and could have caused the hermie problem. Im going to give them another week, flush and chop. It will be really inmature but at least the seeds will be small.

Ive had worse temps and no hermies before. Oh well what can you do. Ill start over. I took clones and ill just do some slh and kalis next go. Ill throw as many as I can I a sea of green and hope for the best.

Next ones going to be organic coco run. Hopefully it goes better.

Bio2 kicks ass and I really like it. Id keep using it if I didnt have the temp problem, and hermies...

 

[Dready_jake]

If there's no plants in a hurry to go in finish them bitches up seeds aren't that bad unless there's nothing else. All of my plants are from bagseed and they are stable as shit. Just saying I found some gems.

 

[CoCoSativas]

No doubt lots of decent bagseed. Ive grown tons. However this is likely genetic hermie seeds, not stress hermies. I dont want tgose seeds.

Im running a tent so those plants are burning space. Im going to take them a little longer, so I get high for sure, and then they will have a little flush. Im going to run these until my next run is ready.

Also, DJ has inspired me to get some led and restart this all. New light, new grow new thread. Seeing his grow with led doing so well (radical idea with the recurculating coco, and its doing tso well) so if someone can run led with a challenging idea like that and have suc sucsess, maybe leds have finally caught up.

Looks like im in the market for a led grow light. The shop has a really nice one but its too much money for something Im not actually seeing any legit data on, except goofy YouTube vids. As the light manufacturer turned me down on a side by side, they pretty much lost my buisness. Fuck em, I could have been looking to replace my 4 600 watt digistars combos next year. Im not buying a 2500 dollar fixture that someone wont stand by their product, or post legit data, or garentee my money back if its a wack piece of shit.

Not saying it is, I dont think my shop sells shit, but it looks overpriced. If it did work as advertised id consider them, but theres no legit data.

I like buying quality, but I dont pay for hype.

Im actually pretty pissed off about the led thing. I dont know what to buy, either they look cheap and shitty or crazy overpriced. Its frustrating. I wish i had an idea of whats available to me thats good.

I wont bash the led manufacturer by name but id like too. Why charge so much for a light and not have any legit data? No side by sides, nothin that compells me to buy them. Too bad for them.

 

[wegobigupnorth]

Hey bro I took notice to how much you are mentioning heat issues. Which surprised me as you are using a cool tube so I went over the pictures of your set up and was a little shocked to see the way you set the ballast up hanging off the INSIDE of the tent?

there is a reason everyone keeps their ballasts outside the grow room/tent. They give off a lot of heat (some people thinking digi's don't get hot but just because they don't get as hot as magnetics don't mean they are not hot!) It would take two seconds and cost a few bucks to get a longer power cord if that's the only reason you set it up so inefficient?

Are you even running any exhaust other then the cool tube? Where is the hot air from the ballast supposed to go? Hot air has to go somewhere or it obviously will just keep getting warmer.

Sorry if I am being captain obvious and if you already mentioned some type of reason why it is set up like that but I know for a fact moving it outside the tent would lower temps. Maybe not a shit load but I think your gonna be surprised at how much of a difference it makes.

LEDs?!? NOO!! Why?!? I have never in my life heard of someoneswitching from HID to LED and not really, really regretting it. LEDs are for micro growers man and even then I'd rather use fucking CFLs which is pretty sad haha. My buddy was gifted a "180w UFO" and we just ran a little side by side at my buddies as he wanted to switch from T5s to veg to the leds and guess what? Niether of us woud even VEG with LEDs. It's pretty obvious the penetration on them is SHIT. We can see it with out human eyes,,,Everyone that switches from LED to HID or even to flouros if vegging never look back...