making vortex brewer

[Manitoid]

Been fiddling with brewer designs, and I am looking for some imput form the brewers out there.

The vortex brewer looks like the shit. It seems like a fairly easy build. Is the current too high? Will microbes be killed in the force of the liquid tornado?

Uses 4 air lift pumps made from pipes and air stones. seems pretty ingenious!

Check out this video and tell me what you think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vicfxM6O27o

i do not need one this small, but CHECK OUT HOW SEXY THIS 5 GALLON BREWER IS. ONLY AIR IS LIFTING WATER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SQrF8RGreg&NR=1


I do not fear the airlift pumps are too violent, I am wondering if the vortex in the drum is too violent for the life in the tea.

Thanks!

 

[pseudopod]

That's what I've seen used for commercial AACTs, so I'd imagine they would be just about perfect. Very nice finds.

 

[Microbeman]

Does not need to be soooo complicated. If you are really sold on the concept that vortexes change the properties of water just twist the return nozzle so it is on an angle and creates the vortex.

http://www.microbeorganics.com/#Video_Microbulator
(US/CA patent pending)

The vortex is not too violent.

May help you with building brewer; one you found is included.
http://www.microbeorganics.com/#So_You_Wanna_Build_A_Compost_Tea_Brewer

 

[jaykush]

i think even if it doesn't change the waters properties a vortex has other benefits to brewing ACT.

 

[Microbeman]

i think even if it doesn't change the waters properties a vortex has other benefits to brewing ACT.

What benefits are they?

The thing I like about the vortex shape is that everything is thoroughly mixed and there are no dead spaces but this is a factor of an opening in the bottom of the tank (e.g. cone bottom) and not a vortex only attribute.

My more expensive, custom designs use cone bottom tanks. The basic one is built so as to be affordable to small growers by using in a standard barrel available locally.

 

[Manitoid]

i think the benefits of draining out of true bottom and returning for top eliminates the ability for anaerobic pockets to occur. the 4 returns is to get enough lift, by having 4 lifts.

i think a 150 gal cone bottom is my next fun thing.

the 5 gallon water jug one is sexy... thanks for chiming in guys

 

[Microbeman]

i think the benefits of draining out of true bottom and returning for top eliminates the ability for anaerobic pockets to occur. the 4 returns is to get enough lift, by having 4 lifts.

i think a 150 gal cone bottom is my next fun thing.

the 5 gallon water jug one is sexy... thanks for chiming in guys

I agree with the drain out the bottom thing, as stated in my previous post.

Makes no difference if you use 4 lifts or one lift for getting water to the surface again. It is a factor of water depth and pump output. If you don't care about the vortex, just using one riser pipe for up to 200 gallons is more than adequate. If you are getting into up to 1000 gallon plus (which I've designed for farmers) one should use 2 or more risers to ensure good circulation. My 1200 gallon brewer used 8 risers for a while. Take it from me. I've researched this thoroughly. What you do have with 4 risers in a small brewer is an extra mess to clean up without the extra benefit. [IMO]

 

[NUG-JUG]

I agree with MM about cleaning..My list of things I need in a compost tea brewer in order;

1. Works
2. Easy to clean
3. Relatively cheap to make myself

 

[jaykush]

The thing I like about the vortex shape is that everything is thoroughly mixed and there are no dead spaces but this is a factor of an opening in the bottom of the tank (e.g. cone bottom) and not a vortex only attribute.

thats the big one really, mine is with a cone bottom tank too.