From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Denver, CO

Is it possible to over-oxygenate compost tea? I am considering getting a Air Pump that I know is sufficent to work on 35 Gallon Batches, but I plan to use it in a 5 gallon set up instead. I would like the flexability to increase to up to the 35 gallon as needed. What is a average minimum liters per minute flow rate and a average maximum liters per minute flow rate. What do the pumps at Tad12's company produce?

Thanks,
ghopson427@yahoo.com

2/3/2008 10:29:31 PM

Seattle, WA

I would not worry about over aerating, that really isn't an issue. Do you have a link to the air pump you're looking to purchase? Make sure that the air from the pump gets distributed evenly around the bucket so there's no dead spots. Also, the air holes should be a certain size (I'll have to look that one up though, don't know it off the top of my head).

~Tad

PS: I'm not sure what our flow rates are. Typically, we test our motors by using a dissolved oxygen meter and then measuring the oxygen levels in the water throughout the course of the brew (the higher the better, and never below 6mg/l).

2/4/2008 12:08:37 PM

Denver, CO

Thanks Tad,
I will look for the link to the pump. It's very simillar to the one in the OSU kit. Not sure yet what I will do for the diffuser part. Maybe the 3/4 inch soaker hose. Ceritanly going to use the food from your company. It's a great offering from them.

2/4/2008 6:22:32 PM

Seattle, WA

I like the idea of taking a pump intended for a larger machine and going with less water to ensure maximum aeration. I really think this is where most homemade brewers go wrong. Have you seen our design? We use a coil shape of heavy plastic pipe that sits in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket. The coil then has holes spaced on it to allow the bubbles to aerate the entire bucket.

Haven't seen any data or research relating to soaker hoses. You may want to post something on the Yahoo Group for Compost Tea that's moderated by Jeff Lowenfels. Someone might have more experience using that material (and done the testing for you) :-)

~Tad

2/4/2008 6:40:29 PM

Denver, CO

I will look there and see what they have to say.
Here is the link to the pumps:
http://www.greengoldhydro.com/index.php?cName=hydro-components-active-aqua-commercial-air-pumps&osCsid=9092b405af2d3e224e0c04cdd4625bfd

Also, I am wondering a basic question here. If I brew my tea sucessfully, apply it as a foliar to the plants, and then lets say 12 hours later water my plants with tap water that is has chlorine in it, have I just wasted all my efforts?? How miuch is killed off?

2/4/2008 7:16:52 PM

Seattle, WA

Is it possible to find out the cfm on the motor? Also, how many hours is it rated for?

As for your question on chlorine, I don't think you'll have very much organism loss, as the chlorine will dissipate when it comes in contact with the air. I would try for a fine mist or spray rather than stream when watering to ensure maximum air contact when watering (not for spraying the tea).

Can't really know for sure how much is going to be killed off, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

~Tad

2/5/2008 1:59:29 PM