Glad it was helpful. My point is to be sure, you cant guess about microbial life. Honestly. Going my smell is not going to cut it if you want to be sure and not guess.
I recently saw first hand, When it smells bad it is not always a Anerobic. So many factors so is best not left to a guessing game. I used to drive myself nuts wondering if my tea was good or not. Well it was bad an it took me multiple tries to get a good batch of tea. The scope and do meter is just the start of learning how to identify all of the microbiology.
Will do, I use compost from a homemade compost pile. You can make your own bokashi composting bin, or worm farm if you do not have space for a compost pile.
RE: shorter brew. Good ideas, I am going to test the 12 hour brew w just your pack and sugar source to see what happens.
Congrats on the scope.
Good deal. Do not forget the DO meter. (or buy CT guys lab tested brewer with proven DO levels) You need proper dissolved oxygen levels buddy.
Yes, originally CT guy did come across as spamming. But if you been on forums for many years you would know that was NOT always the case. Hey the economy tanked and the fact is this. People running businesses got to make a living.
In my opinion, there appear to be persons that genuinely have morals, want to provide quality product at affordable prices. Vs. overhyped lies you frequently see in the hydro industry.
Good deal, after getting a scope. Then can go out and give microbeman (InTheBeginning) some business for his microbe identification DVD. It really rocks and if you do not have someone to teach you it is a priceless resource.
Better yet, buy a proven brewer (with proper DO levels) or food sources/compost from CT guy. (K.I.S. compost tea brewer).
If he was out to just make money he would have never disclosed how to make your own brewer. (years ago, and the information is still out there) That takes $$out of his pocket so IMHO CT Guy appears to be stand up guy.
Hope that helps give you a little more perspective. If you have not been online for 5+ years and have a good memory then some things would not be as apparent.
Hope that helps.