10 min $10 DIY aerated compost tea ACT brewer

[Stankie]

Still thinking about a diffuser. I think the way it is now would still provide DO at acceptable levels. I don't have a DO meter, so I'm just guessing at this point. There is a lot of action on the surface and secondary bubbles that would have me guess that there is plenty of oxygen.

 

[jaykush]

your fine brew on!

 

[CT Guy]

I agree with Jay, with that pump, in that size container, you're going to be fine. Let us know how your plants respond.

Be sure to use a high quality compost and appropriate amount of foods.

Good luck!

 

[Clackamas Coot]

Stankie

I watched your YouTube video and noted the amount of water movement that you're getting with this tank shape & design. I have the same pump (71 LPM) in a standard 5-gallon paint bucket from HomeDepot.

The difference is quite remarkable. Not even close. That probably has more to do with an ill-designed air manifold system in the tank than anything else.

Thanks for the video!

CC

 

[Stankie]

Thanks for weighing in jaykush and CT Guy!! I was going to brew up some tea but the weather here turned damn cold (below 0f for the highs). I brew in my garage and the aquarium heater I have couldn't keep the tea anywhere near warm enough.

Thanks Clackamas Coot. I tried many diffuser designs with a 5 gallon bucket and was just never happy with any of them. Kind of wish I would have bought a 10 gallon vessel, my only complaint. I can only get about 3.5/4 gallons in this one during aeration. Even then I get some spillage. I should have thought about that before I purchased, but oh well.

 

[heady blunts]

 

[mad librettist]

that's a pretty narrow boat for your smurf to be using a symmetrical single bladed paddle, but his form is really good.

 

[heady blunts]

it's not mine. just when i watched the youtube vid i was imagining a little white water rafter or kayaker in there

 

[mad librettist]

his boat is shaped more like a k-1

 

[Stankie]

Here's one like mine, in terms of kayaks, it's a freight barge, but it rules for fishing!

X-Drive FTW!!!

 

[Stankie]

I'm brewing my 3rd batch of tea in my brewer now and will have some observations to make in a bit. Maybe some pics also.

 

[vonforne]

Make the reports good ones Stankie. Nice job on the build.

This thread goes in the Sticky library now.

If possible lets get some other designs in here also.

V

 

[Scrappy4]

How would disolved O in this style brewer compare with a air lift design, in the same style of tank, anyone? They both could have good water movement, both have surface agitation, but would breaking the surface with an air lift make any improvement over stankie's clever design? Scrappy

 

[Stankie]

Here is one of the original pictures I posted to show what I have removed/modified. I removed the black threaded collar that was attached to the top of the vessel. (Green arrow)

Then I took a jig saw and removed the lip that was under the collar. (Red arrow) It was providing no function except trapping compost material around the lip and on the threads of the collar.

Here is the brewer today. My pump is better suited for at least a 10 gallon tank, if not a little bigger. I may order either a 10 or 15 gallon tank sometime I get a little extra dough. I am very happy with the design of the brewer and the resulting tea. I can only put about 3.5 gallons of water into my vessel with the pump on. Even then it still splashes a little and gets some compost material foamed around the edge of the rim. I put the lid in the hole with no collar and it allows the cord for the heater to fit. It also keeps most of the errant tea splashes in the vessel.

The other issue - The ball valve was useless after the 2nd brewing cycle. It has silt/fine particles that make moving the valve nearly impossible. I may try a gate valve and see if that holds up any better.

Scrappy4 - I may rig up a trial lift system and see what happens. Sooner or later . . .

 

[Scrappy4]

Thanks, Stankie....
Btw....quite a site on the second pic, I guess I'll have to do this outdoors when I make one of these........scrappy

 

[schwagg]

i'm gettin' the 10 gal for sure! thanks stankie, great pics!!

 

[Microbeman]

An air lift doubles(?) the dissolved O2 capacity of an air pump-water volume interface regardless of water return and breaking surface tension.

 

[grapeman]

I too am ordering the 10 gal tank

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=A-SP0010-SQ8

 

[Microbeman]

Here is one of the original pictures I posted to show what I have removed/modified. I removed the black threaded collar that was attached to the top of the vessel. (Green arrow)

Then I took a jig saw and removed the lip that was under the collar. (Red arrow) It was providing no function except trapping compost material around the lip and on the threads of the collar.

Here is the brewer today. My pump is better suited for at least a 10 gallon tank, if not a little bigger. I may order either a 10 or 15 gallon tank sometime I get a little extra dough. I am very happy with the design of the brewer and the resulting tea. I can only put about 3.5 gallons of water into my vessel with the pump on. Even then it still splashes a little and gets some compost material foamed around the edge of the rim. I put the lid in the hole with no collar and it allows the cord for the heater to fit. It also keeps most of the errant tea splashes in the vessel.

The other issue - The ball valve was useless after the 2nd brewing cycle. It has silt/fine particles that make moving the valve nearly impossible. I may try a gate valve and see if that holds up any better.

Scrappy4 - I may rig up a trial lift system and see what happens. Sooner or later . . .

How much compost (etc) did you use?

 

[Microbeman]

I just bought two 15 gallon tanks and bulkheads to try making my own 'cone bottoms' without the cone. I'm going to try an airlift with a smaller pump.