Forums:

12 gallon compost tea machine

Posts: 82

Location: Lantzville, Vancouver Island,BC Cool temperate, Lat. 49.245 Zone 8a

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hello all
I took delivery of this compost tea machine Wed. Just completing my second batch.
Has anyone else seen or tried this model. I found it at Microbe organics

The air pump draws only 18 watts but the vortex it creates is quite something.
So far so good and the pricing was excellent.
I almost went for the 50 gallon unit which will most likely be next years purchase.

IMG_5410.jpg

IMG_5411.JPG

Jaan Designs-http://www.jaandesigns.ca
Raindrop harvesting-http://raindropharvesting.ca

Topher Belknap

Posts: 205

Location: Midcoast Maine (zone 5b)

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Forgive my ignorance, but what does it do, that say 3 5-gallon buckets don't?

Thank You Kindly,
Topher

Energy Curmudgeon
Green Fret Consulting

Ted Jurney

Posts: 9

posted 10 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Very cool. Will you be diluting before application? Like this design. Compost suspended in a bag? Do you have a microscope? Id like to start using AACT here at home and at farm. Whats your application plan?

Ted Jurney

Posts: 9

posted 10 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Ok yeah, just checked out the site, THAT GUY has a microscope, so never mind. Also no mesh bag. Very cool, and thats an interesting site. Very interested on how this goes.

Jamie Wallace

Posts: 82

Location: Lantzville, Vancouver Island,BC Cool temperate, Lat. 49.245 Zone 8a

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Topher Belknap wrote:
Forgive my ignorance, but what does it do, that say 3 5-gallon buckets don't?

Hi Tropher
I have been using a 5 gallon set up with a large aquarium pump for a couple of years with so-so results. This spring I was disappointed with the results so I started looking for an alternative which would not break the bank.
This units claim to 'fame' is the vortex it creates which also helps boost increase the levels of oxygen in the water. So far I'm very impressed with the simplicity of this unit and its ease of use.

Jaan Designs-http://www.jaandesigns.ca
Raindrop harvesting-http://raindropharvesting.ca

Jamie Wallace

Posts: 82

Location: Lantzville, Vancouver Island,BC Cool temperate, Lat. 49.245 Zone 8a

posted 10 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Ted Jurney wrote:Very cool. Will you be diluting before application? Like this design. Compost suspended in a bag? Do you have a microscope? Id like to start using AACT here at home and at farm. Whats your application plan?

Hi Ted
I'm not planning on diluting the tea as I've read of mixed results on this. The compost is added to the water (no bag) which suits me as we are applying the finished product with watering cans. I really want a microscope, without one your flying blind...I'm working on it....Short term plan it to apply to some growing areas which are, in my mind, not performing as they should despite compost applications. I'm interested in a larger unit, 50 Gallon unit for next year. I may even plumb this into our irrigation system. I'll let you know how it performs.

Jaan Designs-http://www.jaandesigns.ca
Raindrop harvesting-http://raindropharvesting.ca

Zach Muller

gardener

Posts: 787

Location: NE Oklahoma zone 7a

I like...

posted 10 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Congrats on the new brewer Jamie! You will have some living soils in no time! I am working on my own design for a 50 gallon, but need to get back into worm farming so I have compost to brew. In a few months you will probably dig into your soil and see a massive web of fungalness.

Topher, I made a reproduction of Tims airlift design based around a 5 gallon water tank. My understanding is that this 12 gallon unit is just creating more compost tea per brew.

If you read through Tims page he explains why he ended up choosing an airlift as the primary means to oxygenate the water as opposed to any of the other designs. In a nutshell, based on trials he did the airlift gives the most dissolved oxygen for the amount of air being pumped into the system.

Ted Jurney

Posts: 9

posted 10 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I'm glad you shared this. I need a home unit, and have been researching for a while now, found Tim's page to be very good. I also hope to set up a small control area, deliver some to one are and not to the other for comparison.

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4020

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

284

posted 10 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Topher Belknap wrote:
Forgive my ignorance, but what does it do, that say 3 5-gallon buckets don't?

Thank You Kindly,
Topher

The vortex helps stir it up an makes sure no corners run out of oxygen. You can do it with buckets and just air, but you need more air to get the job done as fast. The bubble pumps they use help with oxygen absorption efficiency.

It is also more efficient to put the compost loose in the container and filter it as you empty it when done. Just like loose tea works faster than a tea bag, more contact with water.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." --Mahatma Gandhi
"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." --Francis of Assisi.
"Family farms work when the whole family works the farm." -- Adam Klaus

Sam Boisseau

Posts: 155

Location: PNW, British Columbia

posted 10 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I'm making my own version of the 50- gallon model... An air pump with a good flow and an air lift

This is the patent that the guy from microbeorganics (who sells the 12 gallon model from the OP) deposited:

http://www.google.com/patents/US7972839

My homemade project just doesn't have the fancy diffusers (in the airlift and directly in the water), but I think it'll work out OK.

I also own a microscope and will be counting the microbes (bacteria/protozoa/fungi mostly) once I have it all set up and run a batch.

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4020

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

284

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Awesome score, Sam!!

The Humble Soapnut - A Guide to the Laundry Detergent that Grows on Trees ebook by Kathryn Ossing

will be released to subscribers in: soon!

click here for details