Re: [compost_tea] Alfalfa tea and Kelp tea

From: Anthony <boofq_at_wn.com.au>
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2003 09:57:49 +0800

jason,
1/16 holes will cause your tea to boil great, however they are probably to =
big to diffuse enough O2, especially when they need it most. I did the same=
 thing and i wasnt getting enough O2 into it. I sourced some 0.4mm drill bi=
ts- equivalent to about a 1/50th (you need a few as they tend to snap prett=
y well). Also attached some of that seepage hose that have even smaller hol=
es. Still boils great, but the bubbles are just that much smaller! Even whe=
n you switch it off it bubble like a bottle of mineral water for minutes!

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Jason Austin
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2003 9:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Alfalfa tea and Kelp tea


  I have just made my own brewer

  - 500 gallons - round tank with flat bottom. Approx 5' diameter.
  - 1/2 hp Gast air pump
  - for aeration I ran a 1 1/2" sched 40 pipe into the tank, formed a cross=
 at the bottom, and drilled a series of 1/16th holes along one edge of each=
 leg of the cross. It boils magnificently!

  I am waiting for a heater element to arrive so have been experimenting.

  First I tried water for 24 hours to test the air blower and some small aq=
uarium heaters that I had been assured would heat the water. The aquarium =
heaters only got the water temperature up 2 degrees C in 24 hours.

  Then I tried 10lbs of alfalfa pellets in 400 gallons of water.
  After 18 hours there was a 5 degree C rise in the water temperature (stil=
l with the aquarium heaters) and 4" foam.
  After 24 hours (midday) both air temp and water temp had risen to 18 degr=
ees C - I added 1/2 cup of mollasses.
  After 36 hours (10pm) air temp had fallen to 11 degrees C but water temp =
was still at 18. 6" foam
  After 44 hours (6am) air temp down to 8 degrees C but water still at 18! =
   Now a pleasant healthy earthy smell around the brewer.

  The tank is under cover in my open tractor shed. It is not insulated and=
 is completely open at the top, so I must be losing heat, but despite that =
it has kept up at 18 degrees C.

  It seems to me there must be some considerable bacterial action taking p=
lace even though I have no compost or activators. So far only alfalfa pele=
ts and mollasses.

  Jason

  Jeff Lowenfels wrote:

    Jason,

    I have made both alfalfa and Kelp teas....using compost as well. I just=
 add powdered kelp or alfalfa meal to my teas. Both add nutrients to the t=
ea, so you have to back off on other nutrients so the tea won't go anaerobi=
c.

    Cheers,

    Jeff


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Received on Mon Apr 21 2003 - 22:59:55 EDT

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