brewer's yeast and protein powder for DIY CO2

[Fishy_girl]

Can I use the stuff you can buy in jars at heath-food stores? I made sure the ingredients were only pure brewer's yeast. Is there a difference between using this kind of yeast and wine/champagne yeast?

I checked out some of the sites folks here have listed to buy wine and champagne yeast. The sites just dont' seem as user-friendly (e.g. don't list prices or weight of packages listed).

I see Left C recommends also adding some protein powder to feed the yeast. Do you use the kind with flavorings and sugar added to it, or just plain soy powder?

[Rex Grigg]

If I am not mistaken the brewers yeast sold for consumption is dead.

I have some wine yeast sitting here if you want it. PM me if you do.

[Lotus]

You can also use regular bread/baking yeast. It's not ideal, but it does work. It's commonly available at supermarkets, which makes it convenient.

[Left C]

Here's the Nyberg power point presentation about yeast/protein powder/ammonium sulfate/CO2: http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/Nyberg_yeast.ppt#256,1,

[Fishy_girl]

I have an order to Rex Grigg for some very affordable wine yeast, woo hoo! Thanks so much!

Thanks also for the attached ppt, Left C! It sounds like I should buy the flavored protein drink mix, as it has added vitamins and other nutrients that the yeast can use.

One question about using the protein drink mix. Since I was advised by Rex to re-use the yeast by keeping the "sludge" left at the bottom of the DIY fermenter, does that stuff also contain old protein powder? Does it smell bad or is otherwise funky? Do I start the mixture over with old (but still living) yeast and fresh protein?

Also, since the protein provides nutrition to the yeast, does that mean I can reduce the amount of sugar I add? The Red Sea refills contain ~1 cup sugar, which seems like a lot to me, for 1 litre (~4 cups) water.

[Left C]

I tried it with the Chocolate flavor protein mix. It didn't smell bad when it was time to change it. I always started with new yeast and everything when I was using this formula. Rex is correct in saying that you can reuse the sludge at the bottom for a refill. I can't answer your question about the protein powder sludge that may or may not be left over because I didn't do that. Be sure to scale down the Nyberg formula so it works with your Red Sea kit.

[charlesclemens]

I orderd Rex Grigg & there Chocolate flavor protein mix i like there Chocolate flavor protein mix but re grigg is not good one Thanks Left C to share you comments about Chocolate flavor protein mix because you i try this but can't like Rex Grigg taste its not good.

[Left C]

Welcome to Plant Geek, charlesclemens!

What I've found that worked the best was using Jell-O with all the other ingredients:
water
yeast
baking soda
protein powder
Jell-O

You don't get as many bpm, but it lasts much longer. I believe that I used the Black Cherry flavor. Lotus wrote one time that some of the Jell-O flavors turned into yucky colors.

You can get a good champagne yeast from Rex Grigg.com. He uses Premier Cuvée, I believe. Rex makes his Jell-O mix in ice cube trays, I believe. The smaller cubes work very good, but I haven't done it yet. http://www.lesaffreyeastcorp.com/wineyeast/p_cuvee.html

This place sells Premier Cuvée and EC-1118 yeast. Both are good. Premier Cuvée is a champagne yeast and EC-1118 is a wine yeast.

[charlesclemens]

hmm its good thank for replay