10 min $10 DIY aerated compost tea ACT brewer

[HighonPottery]

Get the biggest you can afford right now is what I'd say. I got mine for around $50 and its a 45L/min (~2 cfm). It's a decently strong pump but I don't think it is quite strong enough to create BIG siphoning action needed to suck down that vortex in 4gal liquid. Dunno if it's the shape of my bottle since its one of the newer ones with a handle cast into bottle (vs completely round) but I couldn't get it to vortex even though I have pretty much the same pump size as everyone else at 2CfM. Perhaps it just needs some tuning to get the right conditions?

Vortex is nice and all, and I'd assume it's superior system, but I think many would agree simply getting lots of DO into the brew via high CFM pumps + air lift/splashing in a "no-dead-spot" cone-bottom brewer is going to be more than sufficient to make a decent brew.

Edit: re-reading your question - I think you were asking about liquid flow pumps, not air pumps. If that's the case you want an air pump. Flow pumps will cut up all the good stuff you're trying to grow on the impeller blades. Air pumps will provide oxygen for the aerobic environment you're trying to create for the beneficials you want to multiply.

 

[Passion99]

hello
today i looked for pump prices so i decided to change my plan and make it smaller(1-2 gal is all i need for my garden and i have all the elements of the brewer at home, only need air pump). so i read and read this thread and found this:

Heres my little ghetto brewer. Using 1" pvc and a Tetra Whisper Air Pump dual outlet for 60gal fish tank. Plenty of bubbling and water flow action for just over 1 gallon of tea brewing goodness.

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I remember glancing at this thread months ago and thinking it was hard to build or I would need a water pump. Didnt realize how easy it was and that I had everything but the pvc laying around already until I actually read the thread and looked at the pics.

Actually works quite well. Thanks for the thread Heady!

now i decided to make this one, beacuse i already have all the stuff i need in my garage. i looked up for a pump with two outputs with 100l/h each(2x 100l/h) and i think that would be perfect for my 1, maybe 2 gallon brewer. i'm only waitng for approval of you guys about that pump before i order it.

it's going to be awesome this year, can't wait

i'll post some pics of brewer in this thread after i make one =)

 

[rrog]

Bullfrog, did you ever compile a parts list? I'm building one soon

 

[rrog]

I've been looking at the past 15 gallon brewer pics. BF44's , etc. A few of my thoughts from this thread below. Anyone have any last thoughts before I start buying stuff?

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=A-INFD15-19 for the tank and stand.

Since I'm using a 950GPH pump, I should stick with the 1 1/2" thin wall pipe.

Looks like the group likes the air supply intersecting the system at a horizontal right angle rather that (BF44's) earlier versions where the air supply was introduced vertically to the system.

So that would require an 1 1/2" ball valve from here: http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=PVC-BallValvesSlip I assume these valves would work with thin or thick walled pipe, but I'll have to check.

 

[Passion99]

i looked up for a pump with two outputs with 100l/h each(2x 100l/h) and i think that would be perfect for my 1, maybe 2 gallon brewer. i'm only waitng for approval of you guys about that pump before i order it.

nobody?

 

[OrganicBuds]

Passion99 I think any pump would work for a 1-2 gal brewer.

rrog - That ball valve should work with 1.5 inch pipe no problem. On my brewer I just installed an 1.5 ball valve with some flexible 1.5" hosing/tubing that attaches to the 1.5" shut off valve. I can drain my 15 gal tank in less than 30 sec no problem. Also, why use thin wall? I would go with schedule 40.

 

[rrog]

Well, hello OB. Thanks for that info! I'll use that ball valve and sched 40.

You like the tank in the link?

 

[Microbeman]

Passion99 I think any pump would work for a 1-2 gal brewer.

rrog - That ball valve should work with 1.5 inch pipe no problem. On my brewer I just installed an 1.5 ball valve with some flexible 1.5" hosing/tubing that attaches to the 1.5" shut off valve. I can drain my 15 gal tank in less than 30 sec no problem. Also, why use thin wall? I would go with schedule 40.

The only reasons for thin walled are; expense, slightly greater flow, sometimes easier to pull out of fittings.

 

[Microbeman]

I use 1.25" thin walled which has a true ID measure of 1.5"

 

[gOurd^jr.]

I would love to see a pic of a diffuser get in this thread. It's the only part that I don't really understand. I mean, I know what it does and why to put it in there. Break up the air into smaller bubbles for more gas exchange and higher DO2. BUT I don't really understand how to make one that fits into the pvc riser, or really what it would look like. You make one out of PVC? I am thinking it is placed at the bottom of the riser pipe, just above the T right? I'm sure I can put something together that diffuses the bubbles a bit but I would love to see what you guys are using. anone got a pic? or an explanation ?

I just picked up everything today but the air input fitting for ~32$ at Home Depot. Once my new pump arrives I'll get the fitting I just wanna make sure I get the right size hose and fitting. 20Gal trash can, 2" shower drain, PVC fittings and some 1" pipe. I got one thick wall and one thin since they're just 3$ and that way I can compare the difference of two size risers without having to get two sets of fittings. MM said he got best flow out of the 1" pipe with a 1.75CFM pump and I ordered a 47lpm pump which is ~1.67 CFM so pretty close there. But this way I can try out two and see what difference it makes. Lets see if I can make this 20gal trash can work...I'll get some pics after I assemble things. New Air pump should arrive this week and then its on like Donkey Kong

 

[gOurd^jr.]

Alright here's where I'm at so far...

The 2" shower drain is where it's at i'm thinkin. Fits damn near flush with the bottom, and has a huge drain opening, seemsmuch better than a smaller hydro bucket type bulkhead to me.

It's 2" ID out the bottom so I just plugged this 2" OD bushing in the bottom and it's ready for 1" pipe. I used thin wall for now, but I didn't glue anything together yet.

View of the bottom assembly. I chose to shoot the valve drain out the side for a lower profile. I first put it draining out straight down but that stuck out too far for my likes. This way I'll be able to build a stand that will let me drain into a 5gal bucket and still be able to look in the top of the brewer. Would have had to raise it up too high the other way.

and the return at the top, tried a longer pipe between those elbows at first but I think it'll be better short like this. I still kept the 4", and 3" spacers so I can see what it does.

 

[gOurd^jr.]

The ridges around the drain are very slight, but those other bumps on the side may interfere with the vortex a bit. I bet it'll still spin though.

And no matter what it'll be a major improvement over my old brewer, not that it didn't work just fine but...

 

[OrganicBuds]

Gourd - Fire that baby up, it looks killer so far. I got a 15 gal cone shaped vortex brewer, but this year I need more volume. Maybe I will build one like yours if your happy with it.

 

[heady blunts]

looks great gourd!

what pump are you using?

 

[rrog]

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=A-INFD15-19

Is this a good tank? About to pull the trigger

 

[gOurd^jr.]

I'll be using this pump, http://www.jehmco.com/html/lph45.html
And I'll be firing it up as soon as possible. Still gotta add the air fitting on the end of that T. I was gonna wait until I got the pump to make sure I got the right size , but I 'll try to call them and figure it out so I can stop off today while I'm in town.
edit: word is it comes with a 5/8 barb outlet, 18inch of hose and a 3/4" threaded PVC adapter, so I'll see if I can get what I need and hopefully fire this up tonight!
Glad you like it.

Anyone got the skinny on making a diffuser??

Oh yea and OrganicBuds, This one might hold a wee bit over 15 gal, I didn't exactly measure where to put in the return I just sorta guessed. I figure If I can get it to flow nice and drop a couple inches that'll be great and if it holds anywhere around 15 gal +- will be fine for me. I did scope out all the trash cans at HD and thought that the 32 gal roughneck had the best bottom, I even snapped a pic. It just doesn't fit my space as well so I went for the 20. If your looking to upgrade from a 15 gal cone though I would say go for the 32gal. the "Brute" trashcans have sheisty bottom molding btw, I would definitely avoid them.

32 Gal roughneck has a nice smooth bottom

Brute bottom with a big anti-cone sticking up

 

[delic]

I put together a little brewer using a 6 litre popcorn tub and some ubend pieces. Just brought the pump, pipe and gromets. It bubbles up nicely and my plants seem to love the tea. So anyway here are some pics.

Thanks for the great advice here folks

-delic

 

[OrganicBuds]

rrog - I believe that is the same tank that Bullfrog44 bought, looks legit as F_ _ _.

 

[gOurd^jr.]

That looks Great delic, very nice little setup! Dig the splashguard with snorkel!

My large model is coming along great, it took a minute to spin up a vortex but it got goin after a bit. Sure I can dial it in and get it running better too.

pump outlet fits 5/8 ID tubing and it even came with a adapter to 3/4" PVC for the other end. 10' foot roll of braided vinyl 5/8 ID tubing cost more than the trash can...16$ sigh.

~15 gal in there and it looks just a bit low. I ran it and it worked though, but another inch or two did help smooth out the flow a bit.

Here's the money shot. Vortex does not seem to be very affected by the bumps on the bottom.

Here's the pump, this thing is GREAT. It's very quite and low vibration. Can't hear it one bit over the splashing.

Now this brewer is rockin! Much improved over the old set-up, and 3x the size too!
It does not flow smoothly at all though. It kinda glugs and shoots the water out in spurts. Do yours do that too? seems like a diffuser might smooth it out a bit...gonna try the thick wall pipe too and see what difference that makes. I should have enough material laying around to make a stand tomorrow without buying anything. I'll glue some of the fittings together too, though the only leak I saw was between the shower drain and the trash can.
Any input on using silicone to seal that? or epoxy putty? or?

Did not experiment with varying the distance from the riser of the air input like MM reccomends. MM any suggestions for distance?

 

[gOurd^jr.]

1 More question for MicrobeMan, Would you use the same portion if using DRY molasses (the livestock feed cheap stuff that was getting trashed on recently) .5% by volume? ever used this stuff? I think you use the regular liquid molasses which seems like it may be a bit stronger too me as this dry stuff contains "ruffage product". i think its just some straw like plant matter that the molasses is coated on but I'm not really sure. I've been using ~2tbsp (not measured out) in my 5 Gal and it seemed ok...