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Small Tea set up questions (ACT)

7K views 36 replies 10 participants last post by  growingdeeprootsorganicly 
#1 ·
Is It best to put the compost I a bag, Or stir It In and strain It later?

What Is the best to date garden hose attachment to use?

Is pure no additives Molasses Ok to use?

This Is all for a 5 gal pail set up.

I want to give this a try on my on lawn

Thanks

Daner
 
#2 ·
With good compost you do not need foods, if you are going to use molasses less is more and use unsulphered.
i am not understanding the garden hose question
LOTS of air, you can't have too much

Most folks like to put the compost in some kind of mesh bag, paint strainers work well and are cheap.
Personally I say just throw it in and strain later

just remember, it is not a fertilizer so don't treat it as such. people say it all the time " I put down some compost tea and didn't see any difference the next day?" This is a cultural practice change that will provide results over time
 
#3 ·
daner,

what you put in coincides with the amount of O2 you can deliver? and whether you make a free suspension brew or you use the bag from the beginning is up to you, both ways will produce tea's
you could make a way stronger aerated extract/tea for higher mineral count but it will most likely go/finish anaerobic. and it will need constant stirring if in free suspension.

if your trying to make a true aerobic AACT in 5g depending on air supply you have i would use no more then say 2 cups good post and at the most 5 ml black strap molasses. molasses is more then just sugars,carb's, black strap has a big time salt/mineral content that would surprise most how much is really in it per amounts used,
very high ppm/ec

bills right to a point about no extra foods needed but adding foods will reduce brew times and really help grow out more biology. but BEWARE! less is more, shoot for a brew temp 63-,65/68 preferred-70 and brew for about 12 - 24 hrs+ depending on your temps and recipe.

garden hose siphons can be found many places and i would imagine you could use a miracle grow hose end sprayer if you wanted aslong as if it's strained very well, i like recommending a small sub-pump with garden hose in a barrel/trash can set up if possible for home/garden users
 
#4 ·
molasses is more then just sugars,carb's, black strap has a big time salt/mineral content that would surprise most how much is really in it per amounts used,
very high ppm/ec
Don't count on the EC meter alone to determine this. There are many ionized elements which are soluble to varying degrees and will thus conduct electricity.

I use; compost=2.3% to 3%; black strap molasses 0.45% to 0.75%

Minimum air 0.05 CFM/gal.
Excellent range = >0.08 CFM/gal
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the replies guys...Bill Its the siphon type garden hose set up I'm looking for...I have many sprayers ,but 24d has been through them...and I'm not 100% sure borax will clean the tanks sprayers true clean.

Anyway...I was going to use my big shop compressor for my air stones...but I thought there could be contaminants In the lines so I made my way to our friendly Walmart and got a fish tank pump and some air stones...and clear1/4" tubing:)...I also bought some Wall mart Molasses<----Is this ok to use?? It does not say Black strap, Its just say 100% natural.

I looked for the paint strainers...and they did not have any...tried HD...Still no paint strainer...I have cheese cloth...will this work?.

Yikes, people are calling me to go cut there lawns...can you beleive the nerve...there Interfering with my sience time:waving:...This Is too much fun

I'm still not clear weather to just throw a few good handfulls of Daners best compost in the brew...Or make some kind of bag.

Wish me luck...I have to look for my old microscope now

Thanks again

D
 
#7 ·
Don't count on the EC meter alone to determine this. There are many ionized elements which are soluble to varying degrees and will thus conduct electricity.l
Tim,

could you shed some more light on this subject for me or perhaps point me in the right direction if you would be so kind?

the meter is showing my supply to be very conductive in small amounts.
 
#8 ·
#9 ·
Tim ,I bought the biggest pump from the 3 that they had at Wallmart

What about air from my 5HP shop compressor...I can feather The psi with a needle valve...should there be a concern of contaminants In the air lines?
If you wish to have an efficient brewer you should probably use a tested design (there are lots in the link). I wouldn't use the compressor if it might put oil in the water.
 
#10 ·
Tim,

could you shed some more light on this subject for me or perhaps point me in the right direction if you would be so kind?

the meter is showing my supply to be very conductive in small amounts.
Hi C,

EC meters have their place when working with organic matter but because they are easily effected by variances of ionized elements they are not that reliable for determining 'salts' in organic substances [in my opinion]. They are good for determining salt levels in chemical ferts. because they are all salts. I've copied an opinion related to compost below and attached two papers.

"EC test is a measure of the conductivity of a solution. Two poles are inserted into the solution with known separation and the amount of electricity or current passing from one pole to the other via the solution is measured. In my opinion, it is not a very elegant or reliable test method as there are so many potential interferences ... especially when the main interest is to approximate the water-soluble salt (NaCl) ion concentration of a solution.

Thank you,
- Wayne

Wayne H. Thompson - Extension Program Specialist, Biofuels Agronomist
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Soil and Crop Sciences Department - Texas A & M University"
 

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#12 ·
Tim are you still planning to include a microscope with the microbulators soon?
It is my understanding that Tim will have a $300 version and a $600 version of microscope designed to use for soil, compost and compost teas when observing fungi, bacteria, nematodes, etc.

This is from an email I got from him,

Each microscope will come with these custom designed filters as well as a custom made 20X objective which the manufacturer made for me. The enhancement produces images which are similar to those seen using phase contrast and differential interference contrast (3D). The brightfield images are also very good. Eac h microscope will also come with a DVD produced by myself teaching the use of the microscope, general microscopy and some compost and compost tea observational techniques. There will be extras available for additional charges, such as a 3X multiplier lens, 100X objective, carrying case and plan achromatic objectives. I am also working on a camera which I'm hoping will sell for under $200. I may end up leaving something out here but will post a proper description this week on my webpage.

The optical quality is as good as, or superior to the Leica CME.
 
#13 ·
Bill is correct.

I posted this on the CT forum but not here because of the advertising issue.

I'm working right now to post info and video on my webpage. Should have some up today.

I will not be ordering the scopes until around May 9th as I'm working with the manufacturer on a few minor improvements.

This gives ample time for everyone to put in their orders so I can get an idea of how many to order.

I apologize for being a month behind schedule on this but I fell, damaging my hand badly and could not work in the lab for over a month.

Tim
 
#17 ·
Tim, any suggestions on the type of place to look for an unused natural open head 55 gal plastic drum? The only place I found locally was a shipping supply that had closed head only and a $100 minimum order.
Car wash, bottling plant, dry cleaner....anywhere that they need to bring in bulk
The companies often have to pay to get rid of them, free to get rid of is good
 
#18 ·
Tim are you still planning to include a microscope with the microbulators soon?
It is my understanding that Tim will have a $300 version and a $600 version of microscope designed to use for soil, compost and compost teas when observing fungi, bacteria, nematodes, etc.
20X objective video; full size scope

http://microbeorganics.com/20xenh1lgscope.wmv

http://microbeorganics.com/20xenh3lgscope.wmv

http://microbeorganics.com/20xenh4lgscope.wmv

http://microbeorganics.com/20xbflgscope1.wmv
 
#19 ·
Tim, any suggestions on the type of place to look for an unused natural open head 55 gal plastic drum? The only place I found locally was a shipping supply that had closed head only and a $100 minimum order.
If you cut the top out, be sure to cut around the inside of the rim to leave the rim intact. This retains the strength and provides the rim for clipping to. Jig saw is easy.

SOURCES:

You can probably find a barrel locally for $25 to $50. I prefer a white barrel (natural) but this is not necessary. Black is difficult to clean.

http://www.thecarycompany.com/containers/drums.html

Part # 56W55N (Natural)

http://www.bayteccontainers.com/rechigdenpol.html

http://www.americancontainersinc.com/polyth.html

http://www.orlandodrum.com/id3.html#plastic
 
#20 ·
#22 ·
Tim, That's very Interesting...Good work!

If I get going On tea with a larger scale then my 5 gal bucket starter, I will use my old sap dump barrels...there old apple juice containers, approx 40 gal with a screw on lid

Question Is pure molasses ok to use??....If not where do you find the BS Unsulfured locally?
There must be a sugar refinery in Ontario. They will have regular black strap molasses. Feed stores often have black strap molasses made from cane (unsulfered)
 
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