Looking for a good reusable bag for compost tea.

[midwestdensies]

I

Syntax!

Pre-filter on an air pump, Cort..? I'm a little confused. I don't use air stones, they become a home for the bugs that start biofilms. I just weigh down the end of the airline tubing and let her rip. :)

Ive done this before because i was out if stones. Hmm. Seemed better actually and no bio-film. What pump do you use and how many gallons do yiu brew? Im currently doing some ghetto shit and wanted your thoughts sea.. Fwiw old nylon stocking or new seem fine to me and many other scientists

Commercial air 3 pump and 4 stones in 25 gallon tote, brewing 4 gallons. Seems to do the job but in need of pvc manifold hookup for better flow. Any thoughts?

 

[midwestdensies]

Edit 12 gallons brewing in paint strainer bag. Still some contents get through the bag and make it hard to foliar without a second strain or finger cross

 

[Seamaiden]

Get rid of the air stones, that's my first thought, because they aid in the foam fractionation that you're observing (my opinion of most all, if not *all* foams seen on AACTs is that it is a result of foam fractionation, not an indicator of microbial activity). What you want is surface turbulence, because this is where the gas exchange CO2/O2 occurs in all bodies of water for the most part, and for there to be no dead areas within the brewer itself. From there, there are lots of ways to skin that cat.

This year I am building myself a large brewer for the first time. I've been using several aquarium pumps together, which do not produce sufficient turbulence in relation to volume, IMO. Thus the Ecoplus!

Otherwise, I think a round container may be better because it may be easier to prevent those low-flow areas that could go anaerobic. However, this is just musing, if you're not actually experiencing this as a problem, ignore me. :)

 

[Seamaiden]

Midwest, I have that same problem, but it's not a problem with the tank sprayer rig, it is a problem if I use one of those small handheld pump sprayers. Sometimes I'll just strain again. I seem to recall a few people posting not to use stuff like socks or pantyhose because the holes aren't big enough to allow the microbes to pass through, or something like that.

 

[midwestdensies]

I feel like there is decent turbulence in the brewer but will try a round weighing or fixing the tubes to te brewer. Thinking a tube in each corner and 2 off center under the bag itself will be good until i build the pvc manifold. Thanks for the reply sea much appreciated.

 

[Seamaiden]

My pleasure!

 

[Cort]

Sea, I use a cheap airstone that gets run with bleach/water after each batch + a submersable pump set up for venturi. water movement to keep the sediment moving + air. seems to work.

Why?, because thats what I have.

 

[delae632]

1 TBS of cooking oil added to the brew will keep you foam free.

 

[iscrog4food]

I don't strain teas, it is like trying to get a girl pregnant with a condom on. That said I just use a sump pump with a watering wand to water in the teas because not filtering, or even filtering will clog drippers for sure. Also if you are getting foam you may be adding too much air. If you have too much turbulence it will kill some of the bacteria. Also you can use a wetting agent to reduce the foam or oil as delae suggested.