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Simi valley, ca

I have small air pump for aquarium , It says 30 gallon on it! would it work to make some tea if i used a small bucket -say like 5 gallons & was willing to wait 48 hours or so !!

5/4/2009 11:56:48 AM

Seattle, WA

What are the actual specs. on the pump?

5/4/2009 12:42:53 PM

Ohio

Fish, I tried a small fish type bubbler(I think it was a 20 gallon,but not 100% sure) in a 5 gallon bucket before, and my own personal experience I dont think it was enough, I couldnt get the foam at the top like Tad and the other experience tea makers was getting so I switched to something bigger that put out more air , and it worked like a charm.(maybe your fish bubbler puts out more then mine did, so it still might work?)

5/12/2009 5:09:38 PM

Seattle, WA

Remember that foaming is not a good indicator of a good compost tea.

5/12/2009 7:23:12 PM

Ohio

I didn't know that Tad, I always thought that when you seen the foaming that it was a good indicator that things was starting to work in your tea. Hows one to tell when its ready and time to use it? I always went by the foaming at the top?

5/12/2009 7:35:06 PM

Oklahoma State Record Holder

I built my Tea brewer this year and with just water and a lot of air, I can make it foam.

5/12/2009 7:39:29 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Tad12, what is the foaming an indicator of? What makes it foam? Peace, Wayne

5/13/2009 12:02:29 AM

Seattle, WA

Few theories I've heard on the foaming. The most plausible theory I've heard is that it's associated with an enzyme coming from the saliva or stomach of worms, so you see it more when you use a vermicompost.

It does seem to indicate some biological interation or activity, but not to the extent that you can judge a tea by it. I've looked at many teas microscopically that were foaming and some were excellent and others had little to no biological activity. I've had this indenpendently verified by another company that does microscopy in Canada.

As far as I know, the best test short of using a microscope is still the old "smell test." It doesn't tell you how much life you have in the brew, but it will tell you if it went really bad or anaerobic and could potentially hurt your plants.

5/13/2009 2:25:34 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thanks, Tad!!! Again!!! Peace, Wayne
If it smells like earth, it's prbly okay?

5/14/2009 11:23:42 PM

Seattle, WA

Wayne, you won't know how much microbial activity or diversity you have, but you won't hurt anything.

5/15/2009 1:20:22 PM