A Basic Compost Tea Guide

[CT Guy]

when you guys brew teas do you bubble the tea until the ph rises to a desired range or do you not pay attention to ph at all?

Don't worry about pH. Get a brewer design or brewer that's already been tested and then either use their product in it (again, only go with one that's been tested) or a high quality compost (EWC, or some other biologically active compost).

Microbeman has a design on his website, www.microbeorganics.com

Or, let me know if you want recommendations for brewers already on the market.

Many people just throw an airstone in the water and hope for the best. I can't say this is a good way to go with compost tea because there are many variables that can affect your tea and it all just looks like brown water without testing.

If you want to maximize your tea, which in turn will maximize it's effect on your plant (overall plant health, increased nutrient cycling, potential disease suppression, etc...), then you need to have something that's been tested.

 

[C21H30O2]

I just throw an airstone in water and get pretty good results using LCs teas. But i have no doubt a well brewed ACT will be better. Im just trying to get a simple base before experimenting with more factors.

 

[grapeman]

So I know "un-sulfured" Blackstrap Molasses is the preferred molasses. Hard to find without ordering on the internet. So I've been using just "Grandma's" Molasses for my teas.

Is there a big difference between the "Blackstrap" and the regular kind? Also, the bit of sulfer, from what I read above will kill the beneficials. Is that also true? There is not that much sulfer in the product but I just wanted to ask since elemental sulfer is everywhere on earth.

 

[The HighLander]

Got this from Meaty, has anybody use this porduct?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXGqJbFZzCo

www.bountea.com/products/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=2

Looks alot simpler, Than the way I've been doing it. Only 24 hrs and its ready..smile:

 

[vonforne]

You can use ACT any time. I start out in the seedling stage and continue until flowering stage.

V

And when you add EWC to the bottom of the container........not at the very bottom. Add the soil first then a cup or EWC and then the roots love that and it will help prevent some burning in nutrient sensitive plants.

 

[Morose Jessebel]

shit you read my mind! I was about to start a 14 gal soil bin after finding out it fits in my cab, which is not a rubbermaid. I was going to take soil samples around local woods today, but it snowed, and I want to be able to see before I sample.

 

[Metatron]

Just doing some homework... I've read thru and heat can be a catalyst in helping your tea come along, where I plan to brew is very cold at this time, I was curious if I could put a aquarium heater in the bucket to help with temperature, anyone have experience?

 

[Smurf]

Adding an aquarium heater will certainly speed things along (I use one),, the folks using tea machines rely on the heat from the pump to keep it at optimum temps.
It wouldn't hurt to keep your eye on the temp with a separate thermostat. I usually run anywhere from 25 to 30 C.

 

[JuneBugJoe]

If you want to maximize your tea, which in turn will maximize it's effect on your plant (overall plant health, increased nutrient cycling, potential disease suppression, etc...), then you need to have something that's been tested.

WHOA... I just read that whole thread and it only took 3 days... I have really learned alot about CT from all the people who participated in this thread and just want to say thanks... I am going to get the compost manuel from Dr. Ingham and the teaming with microbes book to hopefully really expand my knowledge... I am the type of person that likes to take advice from someone that has some credentials and has a passion for their practice... Its nice to know im being lead in the right direction

anyways... I would rather pay for a Good brewer instead of try to make my own and was wondering if you had some experience from the few that are out there... Which have you seen to give the best over all aeration...

Another quick question about the things you add to your brewer.... A lot of times in the forum i saw you talk about how EWC are really your best bet... If you have a good home based worm composting bin, are there any of those ingredients you can just throw in the worm bin instead of mixing in with the castings before the brew...

 

[CT Guy]

JuneBugJoe,

Couple of points:

1. Teaming with Microbes is a much easier read than the Tea Brewing Manual. Teaming with Microbes is also more comprehensive, in that it covers more than just compost tea. I'd start with that book and this link http://www.soilfoodweb.com/sfi_approach3.html and put the money towards a good brewer instead.

2. As far as brewers go, make sure that if you're buying one that they have done and continue to do biological testing. Some of the brewer manufacturers on the market don't ever test their products and you're better off just making your own.

This is copied and pasted off the Soil Food Web website, and hasn't been updated in about 8 years so the prices are off but it would give you a starting point.

Demonstrated to Make Good Compost Tea, Grow Beneficial Fungi in the Tea Maker. These are not in any particular order!

1. EPM, Earth Tea Brewers – 100 ($3,500) and 500 gal Excellent extraction (composttea.com)
2. KIS brewers – 5 ($99) and 25 gal Good extraction, easy to clean!!!!! (simplici-tea.com)
3. Alaska Giant – 1 ($40) and 5 ($80) gal, good extraction, soaker hose (alaskagiant.com)
4. Ground Up – 50 gal and larger
5. Worm Gold (www.wormgold.com)
6. Compara
7. Sottilo - [email protected] Brewers made to order

Demonstrated to grow bacteria, and usually only anaerobic bacteria
SoilSoup – 6.5 gal ($400), 30 gal, 250 gal (soilsoup.com)
Growing Solutions – 25 ($1300), 100 ($5000) and 500 ($12,000) gal (growingsolutions.com)


I can tell you that I'm biased towards Keep It Simple and would consider their 5 gallon extended life brewing system. Right now there's free shipping, and Teaming with Microbes is only $15 with any order over $50.

Cheers,
CT Guy

 

[CT Guy]

Adding an aquarium heater will certainly speed things along (I use one),, the folks using tea machines rely on the heat from the pump to keep it at optimum temps.
It wouldn't hurt to keep your eye on the temp with a separate thermostat. I usually run anywhere from 25 to 30 C.

I just wanted to comment that temperature will have a considerable effect on your tea. Right around 70 degrees F is ideal. If you are brewing in colder climates (water temp around 60) you will need to extend the brewing cycle by 12-18 hours, as it takes them longer to reproduce/grow at lower temps. I find the brews never look quite as biologically active at colder temps as well, even over time.

But, is there an advantage to brewing all the soil microbes at 70 degrees F and then applying them to soil that's cold, say 45-50 F? Are they just going to go dormant from the massive temp. swing? I haven't seen any data either way, though Dr. Ingham recommends brewing at ambient temps that you will be applying tea at. This can be problematic though for people without a microscope because then you never know the quality of your tea or when to stop brewing. Much better in my opinion to brew a consistent batch at the same temp every time, where you at least know what you're putting out is biologically active at the time of application.

 

[Trichgnomes]

anyways... I would rather pay for a Good brewer instead of try to make my own and was wondering if you had some experience from the few that are out there... Which have you seen to give the best over all aeration...

Honestly, it is extremely easy to build a very effective brewer, but if you would rather go with something tried and true, by all means do it, and the KIS, although I have not seen it in person, is well acclaimed by people in the field, and has CT pointed out, it is tested and works as intended.
I just this morning finally finished by brewer and have a brew going right now, otherwise I would post picks of the diffuser I made. I am using a 7.8 gallon True Brew bucket, along the Eco Air 3 commercial unit. Diffuser is PVC piping w 1/16 in holes drilled. It took me a long time in the sense that I have been meaning to get it done, but would go to Home Depot and get everything except one or two things, or the PVC piping wasn't cut in the right lengths, etc. When I actually had all the pieces I needed, it took me about 10 minutes or so to set it up. I copied Tim's design, essentially verbatim, which can be found here http://microbeorganics.com/bubblectbrewer.pdf
along with extremely easy to follow instructions on this method as well as others. http://microbeorganics.com/#So_You_Wanna_Build_A_Compost_Tea_Brewer

Microbeman's designs are very straightforward and efficient. If you can follow LC's Mix, then you can put a brewer together. It's just the matter of choosing the recipe that works for you and following it.

Another quick question about the things you add to your brewer.... A lot of times in the forum i saw you talk about how EWC are really your best bet... If you have a good home based worm composting bin, are there any of those ingredients you can just throw in the worm bin instead of mixing in with the castings before the brew...

I have yet to mess around with anything other than food wastes and fibrous materials, but Jaykush recommends rock dust and biochar, both of which I will be using once I acquire some.

 

[Trichgnomes]

Demonstrated to Make Good Compost Tea, Grow Beneficial Fungi in the Tea Maker. These are not in any particular order!

1. EPM, Earth Tea Brewers – 100 ($3,500) and 500 gal Excellent extraction (composttea.com)
2. KIS brewers – 5 ($99) and 25 gal Good extraction, easy to clean!!!!! (simplici-tea.com)
3. Alaska Giant – 1 ($40) and 5 ($80) gal, good extraction, soaker hose (alaskagiant.com)
4. Ground Up – 50 gal and larger
5. Worm Gold (www.wormgold.com)
6. Compara
7. Sottilo - [email protected] Brewers made to order
edit:
8. The Microbulator 50; A 50 (US) gallon compost tea brewer Price: $489.00 USD
Ugly But Efficient &Cheap! http://microbeorganics.com/#Tea_brewer50

Thought I would would take the liberty of adding the last one. It's not on the SFI site, but I think it's my far the best bang for the buck after watching videos and whatnot. Hopefully we'll start growing a bunch of food/flowers outside soon, which would potentially be a reason to get one... Until then I'm fine with a 5 gallon brew.

MM- It is understandable if you do not want to disclose, but I was curious as if you could explain the waterfall aspect of the Microbulator, as I would like to incorporate it into my small brewer.

 

[CT Guy]

Thought I would would take the liberty of adding the last one. It's not on the SFI site, but I think it's my far the best bang for the buck after watching videos and whatnot. Hopefully we'll start growing a bunch of food/flowers outside soon, which would potentially be a reason to get one... Until then I'm fine with a 5 gallon brew.

MM- It is understandable if you do not want to disclose, but I was curious as if you could explain the waterfall aspect of the Microbulator, as I would like to incorporate it into my small brewer.

Trichgnomes,

I have the Microbulator, in addition to the KIS ones. I didn't have it on the list only because I was cutting and pasting from Dr. Ingham's website. It's a fine brewer, though you do need to provide your own barrel to brew in.

One note on forum etiquette, be careful in editing someone's quote in your reply. In this instance I really didn't care because I agree with you on this, but I could see it pissing some people off having their words changed and still listed as their own.

Cheers,
CT

 

[Trichgnomes]

Trichgnomes,

I have the Microbulator, in addition to the KIS ones. I didn't have it on the list only because I was cutting and pasting from Dr. Ingham's website. It's a fine brewer, though you do need to provide your own barrel to brew in.

One note on forum etiquette, be careful in editing someone's quote in your reply. In this instance I really didn't care because I agree with you on this, but I could see it pissing some people off having their words changed and still listed as their own.

Cheers,
CT

I apologize for breeching etiquette. I am well aware that you also sell the microbulator on your website, and feel as though I have read something along the lines of you saying it is a reputable brewer. It was also made quite obvious by yourself to someone that read the post that you copied and pasted it from SFI. These factors, along with your positive relationship with MM, were all reasons in which I felt it was acceptable. It was meant to be taken light heartedly, but do see your point on how others could be offended. And because it was a quote to begin with, it was most definitely faux pas; I misquoted quoted information! In retrospect I should have just copied the list without the quotes, which would have gotten my point across just as effectively.

 

[CT Guy]

I apologize for breeching etiquette. I am well aware that you also sell the microbulator on your website, and feel as though I have read something along the lines of you saying it is a reputable brewer. It was also made quite obvious by yourself to someone that read the post that you copied and pasted it from SFI. These factors, along with your positive relationship with MM, were all reasons in which I felt it was acceptable. It was meant to be taken light heartedly, but do see your point on how others could be offended. And because it was a quote to begin with, it was most definitely faux pas; I misquoted quoted information! In retrospect I should have just copied the list without the quotes, which would have gotten my point across just as effectively.

Hey, no apologies necessary.

 

[Microbeman]

The waterfall effect is created with an air lift. I have filed a patent on this process but basically it involves creating a diffusion chamber which incorporates a diffuser enclosed within the pipe situated at the bottom of the riser pipe so that it pushes the water up the pipe while drawing the water from two open pipe ends on the floor of the tank. It's a little complicated but you may get it if you fiddle and go through various sized fittings. In my first prototype I used sweetwater diffusers inside the diffusion chamber.

 

[Cool Moe]

CT, first of all thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge of compost teas. I have a few questions I'm hoping you can answer. Firstly, most of us hobbyists/noobs probably don't have microscopes or the inclination or funds to send teas or soil out for testing. Is it safe to assume that fresh homemade worm castings will create a high level of microbial life when brewed with blackstrap molasses? Secondly, in the KIS 5 gallon system the pump is described as sounding like a hair dryer but my neighbors probably wouldn't appreciate listening to a hair dryer running outdoors for 12-24 hours. Do you think the 4-tube/4 stone aerator at Petsmart could move enough water and add enough oxygen to a 5 gallon bucket DIY system? Thanks for your help.

 

[CT Guy]

CT, first of all thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge of compost teas. I have a few questions I'm hoping you can answer. Firstly, most of us hobbyists/noobs probably don't have microscopes or the inclination or funds to send teas or soil out for testing. Is it safe to assume that fresh homemade worm castings will create a high level of microbial life when brewed with blackstrap molasses? Secondly, in the KIS 5 gallon system the pump is described as sounding like a hair dryer but my neighbors probably wouldn't appreciate listening to a hair dryer running outdoors for 12-24 hours. Do you think the 4-tube/4 stone aerator at Petsmart could move enough water and add enough oxygen to a 5 gallon bucket DIY system? Thanks for your help.

Cool Moe,

Yes, it is safe to assume that fresh worm castings and blackstrap molasses will make a biologically active brew. It's important to balance the amount of foods (molasses) you add in relation to the dissolved oxygen in your brewer. Too much, and the tea will go anaerobic (typically start to stink), and now you're selecting for the wrong set of microbes.

The original KIS system is a bit on the louder side. When I brew with it in my garage, I can hear a light humming through the door connecting it to my house. It's not too noisy, but some people are quite sensitive to any noise. The extended life system is very quiet, I typically do my microscope work with it bubbling in the same room, as all you really hear is the water bubbling.

If you decide to make your own brewer, check out this thread:
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=110620

Keep in mind that you want .08 cfm/gal. and you should be okay for aeration.

Cheers,
CT

 

[vonforne]

1 gallon/hour [US] = 0.002 228 009 227 1 cubic foot/minute

http://www.onlineconversion.com/flow_rate_volume.htm

Here is a conversion chart for your air pump if anyone needs it.

V