10 min $10 DIY aerated compost tea ACT brewer

[StrapAssassin42]

hey jerry... you definitely have my attention.

blue agave nectar...where do i find that and how much do i use in a 5 gallon brewer?

I'm new to all this but im all about variety...which includes different food for my micro herd!

 

[jerry111165]

Hi StrapAssasin. I would use the same amount of agave (Please see HERE) as you normally would use the unsulphured blackstrap molasses. Worth a try at least, right? I still need a scope myself, but as far as I'm concerned my teas are coming out top-notch.

Same with the Aloe Vera! Aloe Vera has more than 200 biologically active compounds alone in it! See HERE. - Good luck!

All - So the new 15 gallon air lift tea brewer is up, running, and kicking some serious tea brewing butt. I'm very, very happy with it, and wanted to thank all who helped me with direction and simple answers during my construction. I have only done 2 real brews with it so far, but the way it appears to be working right now is more than I had hoped for.

A couple of pics - and thanks again.

jerry.

 

[Bullfrog44]

Dam I need a scope soon so I can play with different food sources. Over the winter I really want to get my brews down cold. That way next summer my trees will be giant!

 

[Microbeman]

Tim, is Epsomas Rock Phosphate 0-3-0 what you are referring, or comparable to what you are referring to?

Can I use this in the AACT? If not, I unfortunately am not sure of the product you are referring to. I am trying to find Glacial Rock Dust locally but am having a very hard time...

jerry.

Soft Rock Phosphate is not really a product. It is a mined/by product resource. It is mined in several locations and different companies bag it.

 

[Microbeman]

Carbohydrates are used in an AACT and by the time that the process has been completed the actual sugars have been broken down and digested by bacteria and fungi. It was thought until about a year ago that fungi did not benefit from carbohydrates directly but that is now being seriously discussed by a number of AACT professionals.

This was started more than 3 years ago by moi but of course Paul Stamets has been saying this for years. Your source on molasses is not correct. There are plenty of liveststock molasses which are pure 100% unsulphured cane black strap molasses. It is not overly processed. It is what is left from processing other sugars. I pay $12 to $16 for 5 gallons and $80 for a drum. What one feeds microbes is about simplicity (at least in ACT; what is AACT?) not about biologically active ingredients. But whatever floats your boat.
Has your source scoped things out. Pictures?

Using what is at hand and cheap is a good thing, like over-ripe mashed fruit; if you have a scope and you are sure those hyphae are not fusarium.

As I've been saying, I've been making the most top notch ACT using only black strap molasses (livestock store) and my vermicompost....damn it I'm going to post some video!

 

[rrog]

Video... Video...

 

[iBlaze]

Heady Blunts never ceases to impress me with knowledge. Heading out to price up some pumps/supplies tomorrow. Thanks, Heady.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

Thanks MM...was looking forward to your response to that.

Azomite is rock dust correct? Its use would result in the different microbes associated with other rock dust such rock phostphate...correct?

 

[rrog]

I like the idea of using vermicompost and molasses only. Maybe a smidge of compost since I'm finishing a dandy pile soon.

 

[jerry111165]

Soft Rock Phosphate is not really a product. It is a mined/by product resource. It is mined in several locations and different companies bag it.

But is the Epsoma Rock Phosphate a comparable item? I only ask because I'm not sure where to find "Soft Rock Phosphate"...

On another note, I'm not totally sure, but I believe my "source" was referring to perhaps overprocessed "beet molasses" - but then again I could be totally talking out of turn. I am definetly NOT a pro like you guys are - but WAS told that the Blue Agave Nectar would work better.

I think that "better" is a relative term though. We all know the tremendous results that you have had simply using molasses.

Back to the Epsoma Rock Phosphate thing though....yes/no?

thanks in advance.

jerry.

 

[Microbeman]

Thanks MM...was looking forward to your response to that.

Azomite is rock dust correct? Its use would result in the different microbes associated with other rock dust such rock phostphate...correct?

Using Azomite could not hurt, however I believe it is just a form of bentonite from a particular mine with some specific properties/attributes. It will not necessarily be the same as using soft rock phosphate but go ahead and experiment.

 

[Microbeman]

But is the Epsoma Rock Phosphate a comparable item? I only ask because I'm not sure where to find "Soft Rock Phosphate"...

On another note, I'm not totally sure, but I believe my "source" was referring to perhaps overprocessed "beet molasses" - but then again I could be totally talking out of turn. I am definetly NOT a pro like you guys are - but WAS told that the Blue Agave Nectar would work better.

I think that "better" is a relative term though. We all know the tremendous results that you have had simply using molasses.

Back to the Epsoma Rock Phosphate thing though....yes/no?

thanks in advance.

jerry.

I'm sorry but I am not familiar with the company and could not garner much from their website. Ask them if it is unprocessed (non-pelletized) soft rock phosphate. What does it look like? Is it crumbly or in little balls?

 

[rrog]

I wouldn't buy anything with little balls, personally

 

[Bullfrog44]

I think I just messed up. I bought cal-rock phosphate in stead of soft rock phosphate. My soft rock had little brown balls, this has white rocks. Can this be used in my tea's also?

rrog - what about golf balls? Or maybe midget testicles? I would pay for both.

 

[rrog]

They sell midget nuts now?

 

[jerry111165]

I think I just messed up. I bought cal-rock phosphate in stead of soft rock phosphate. My soft rock had little brown balls, this has white rocks. Can this be used in my tea's also?

rrog - what about golf balls? Or maybe midget testicles? I would pay for both.

Midget Testicles

The testicles of a Texas midget hurt and ached almost all the time. The midget went to the doctor and told him about his problem.

The doctor told him to drop his pants and he would have a look. The midget dropped his pants. The doctor stood him up onto the examining table, and started to examine him. The doctor put one finger under his left testicle and told the midget to turn his head and cough, the usual method to check for a hernia 'Aha!' mumbled the doctor, and as he put his finger under the right testicle, he asked the midget to cough again. 'Aha!' said the doctor once more, and reached for his surgical scissors. Snip-snip-snip-snip on the right side... then snip-snip-snip-snip on the left side.

The midget was so scared he was afraid to look, but noted with amazement that the snipping did not hurt. The doctor then told the midget to walk around the examining room to see if his testicles still hurt. The midget was absolutely delighted as he walked around and discovered his boys were no longer aching.

The doctor said, 'How does that feel now?'

The midget replied, 'Perfect Doc, and I didn't even feel it. What did you do?'

The doctor replied 'I cut two inches off the top of your cowboy boots.'



jerry.

 

[rrog]

Ha!

 

[jerry111165]

I'm sorry but I am not familiar with the company and could not garner much from their website. Ask them if it is unprocessed (non-pelletized) soft rock phosphate. What does it look like? Is it crumbly or in little balls?

MM - Unfortunately, I see that it is "pelletized".


Epsoma Rock Phosphate 0-3-0

• All natural.
• Pelletized for easy application.
• Contains 3% available and 24% total phosphate.
• In 5 and 28 lb. bags.

or another, better explanation...

Espoma®
Organic TraditionsTM
Rock Phosphate 0-4-0
Espoma® Rock Phosphate is a natural rock mined from phosphorus-rich deposits. The rock is washed free from clay impurities and heated to remove moisture. It is then mechanically ground to a coarse powder. Espoma® Rock Phosphate is the finest, highest grade, all natural rock phosphate available. It is far superior in total phosphate content to all other natural forms of rock phosphate including black and colloidal rock phosphate.


Espoma® Rock Phosphate is an organic source of phosphorus and micronutrients. Rock phosphate contains 32% total phosphate (P2O5). Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required by plants that is primarily responsible for healthy root development and fruit and flower production.

​

In addition, rock phosphate is rich in minor elements such as boron, zinc, nickel and iodine which plants need in small amounts for optimum growth.

Long term, slow-release feeding, Rock Phosphate becomes naturally available as the plant needs it. Plant roots give off carbon dioxide and certain organic acids which react with the rock phosphate in the soil, making it available for plant use. Because Espoma® Rock Phosphate is ground, a sufficient part of it is almost immediately available to the plant because the organic acids and carbon dioxide produced by the plant roots and bacteria in the soil can break it down quickly.

For Light Applications: 2 pounds per 100 square feet
Medium Applications: 5 pounds per 100 square feet
Heavy Applications: 10 pounds per 100 square feet

Broadcast or spread Espoma® Rock Phosphate evenly over the entire area. It is recommended that the rock phosphate be incorporated into the soil before seeding or planting. For application during the growing season use the light rates shown above. Available in 5 and 28 pound bags.

jerry.

 

[jerry111165]

The only reason I am asking is because i am having a very hard time finding "Glacial Rock Dust" in Maine.

Obviously if this wont fit the bill, then I wont use it. I was just wondering and weighing my options.

Any comments are greatly appreciated!

jerry.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

hey jerry,

im in the back woods too and cant find rock dust locally either... i found a 50 pound bag online but it'll cost 35 bucks to ship. thats why i'm considering azomite... same website has that in small jugs and isn't nearly as expensive to ship.

groworganic.com has everything we need if you can get past the shipping.