Re: [compost_tea] Alfalfa tea and Kelp tea

From: Jason Austin <jason.austin_at_shaw.ca>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 20:05:36 -0700

Hi Anthony

Thanks for the tip. I don't have a DO meter yet but I will check the
oxygen level soon. I have about 60 holes which I thought would be
enough but the meter will be the judge!

Jason

Anthony wrote:

> 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 bits- equivalent to about a 1/50th (you need
> a few as they tend to snap pretty well). Also attached some of that
> seepage hose that have even smaller holes. Still boils great, but the
> bubbles are just that much smaller! Even when you switch it off it
> bubble like a bottle of mineral water for minutes!
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jason Austin <mailto:jason.austin_at_shaw.ca>
> To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto: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 aquarium 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 (still with the aquarium heaters) and 4" foam.
> After 24 hours (midday) both air temp and water temp had risen to
> 18 degrees 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 place even though I have no compost or activators. So far
> only alfalfa pelets and mollasses.
>
> Jason
>





Received on Mon Apr 21 2003 - 23:36:21 EDT

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