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Re: [compost_tea] Thoughts on sprayers
Someone asked me about sprayers not too long ago, and I thought I'd send my reply to the list, so you could hear the things I think are important. I don't push any one kind of sprayer. There are different sprayers for different uses, and so one is not best for all things. But there are always things that must be considered, and so, what are those considerations?
I like the Solo back-pack sprayers because the nozzles are large diameter, and the pumps don't seem to harm the critters.
Those are two really important factors: nozzle size needs to be greater than 200 um diameter, and the pump needs to be organism friendly. Diaphragm pumps are clearly better, but some centripedal pumps do not harm organisms much.
Which pumps are OK? An example here, ok? The pump on the Earth Tea Brewer is easy on the organisms. Look at the pump on some of the other 500 gal machines on the market. Don't miss the pumps used for pumping the finished tea out of the tea maker. The pump is really hard on critters. That pump may be less expensive, but it really does a job on the organisms - on all of the organisms, not just fungi. One pass through those kinds of pumps and all the organism numbers are reduced by 50%. One pass. Ouch.
I like the sprayer that the Earth Tea Brewer company sells. They have tested to make sure the set-up is organism friendly. You need a gentle action on the organism pump, a good recirculation or agitation or aeration system in the tank, and a tank material that washes out well. A recirculation hose is good, because you can wash off any developing bio-film while you are spraying the tea out. Makes cleaning much easier.
So, those are my thoughts. Probably have missed things, but just ask if you have more questions.
Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
SFI Corvallis, OR
SFI Port Jefferson, NY
SFI Lismore, NSW, Australia
SFI Hilversum, The Netherlands
SFI Cambridge, New Zealand
www.soilfoodweb.com
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