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Re: [compost_tea] Heat and tea



Hi Jeff,
During last winter I used 2 3000 Watt heaters, drawing about 15 amps (tank size 3000 litres). This was controlled by a thermostat with a thermometer in the CT tank. Worked perfectly, you can dial up your temp and it will keep it there. It would be cheaper to use a gas heater but my set up did not suit. It took about 4 hours to heat the water form 13 deg C to 28 deg C. I also use solar to heat the water if there is any sun. I still use this now even though it is the middle of summer here, day temp 30 deg C, since the water is cool when it comes out of of the storage tank. Temp control seems to me to be important to get the high fungi numbers and short brew times.  I start the brew on the warm side when DO demand is lower and as DO demand increases (as organisms multiply) I let the temp drop so the CT will hold more DO. I have found through logging the temps and DO that the highest DO demand occurs about 18 to 20 hours after starting the brew I start at 8 am this means highest demand for Oxygen is 2 or 3 am in the morning (next day)!! 
The solar system is 20mm rural ag pipe (polyethelene draped over the roof of my shed, about 400 metres, the water is pumped around by a small electric pump. This will heat 3000 litres water from 13 deg C to 28 deg C in about 4 hours if the sun is out.
Regards Mike Harvey.
www.composttea.com.au 
 
-- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 2:58 AM
Subject: [compost_tea] Heat and tea

I just sent on off list note to Tom J that it is 9 degrees here and that is up from -2.....which brings me to a new topic I think the list should pursue: methods and equipment to ensure tea stays at a warm temperature while it is being made.
 
Keeping teas in the 70 plus range isn't difficult if you have a five gallon brewer or live in Las Vegas. What kind of heaters are other folks using?
 
Jeff

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