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ballston spa N.Y

does any one know what the max temp should be while making compost tea? with these 85-90 daytime temps it does not take long for my 50 gal barrel to get over the 70 dig mark. it was almost 90 dig today and my brew went up fast to 82 dig. today.
At what temp will the microbes stert to fry?

5/30/2011 11:51:00 PM

ballston spa N.Y

oooooops. Start to fry?

5/30/2011 11:54:24 PM

Seattle, WA

Technically it's 160F, but I would try and keep the temps under 90 degrees and cut back on the amount of foods you put in (higher temps mean lower dissolved oxygen). At 82, you'll be fine.

6/1/2011 12:24:53 PM

ballston spa N.Y

thanks, Also what about the time, whats the max time you can brew for? if you go longer then 24-36 hrs on the brew time will you get more microbes "say 48-60 hrs" or will it start to go bad?

6/1/2011 2:49:40 PM

Seattle, WA

Your max time will vary based on a variety of conditions (compost quality, brewer aeration and design, elevation, temperature, and amount of foods added). In general though, you're looking at 24-36 hours.

Because of your high temps, I'd stop the brew at 24 hours max.

6/1/2011 6:34:30 PM

Wi

Why dont you dig a hole and put your 55 gal drum in it. That should keep it cool enough. I use a 25 foot soker hose coiled two leyers thick. It fits just perfectly in side. Use some chicken wire and a few good rocks to hold it down. Any where you can find hose by quick disconect air line adaptors. Just set your presure regulator to 1-2 psi. The bubbles are nice and small and distribute evenly. This will keep and particulate is suppension and wont settle forming muck.

6/1/2011 11:02:42 PM

ballston spa N.Y

thanks

6/5/2011 12:35:22 AM