Foam in ACT
- Thread starter Microbeman
- Start date
S
SeaMaiden
I would be interested to learn more. I've never seen the tight, white foam that's being mentioned here. The photo of the brewer accident MM posted is much more akin to what I'm accustomed to seeing/experiencing, and even darker foams. NEVER a tight, white foam.
did you read the thread at all, DR ?
Please note that my purpose in beginning this thread was to inform people making ACT that seeing foam develop is not a reliable way to determine bacterial division, nor fungal growth. I have stated several (many) times that the development of foam can be an indicator of microbial develpment (or at least protein generation) but it cannot be relied upon. I have observed many finished brews microscopically.
If one views my webpage it is easily determined that I can clearly define and illustrate a much higher level of microbes [bacteria, archaea, protozoa and fungal hyphae (sometimes rotifers)] extracted into ACT than any other similar organization or business, worldwide [that I know of]. This is given as foundation that I do know what I am talking about.
I have observed ACT with lots of foam to be mostly devoid of microbes and ACT with no foam to be swarming with microbes. Instant foam can be acheived by mixing molasses and water. (foam in the photo previously posted was caused by molasses and not microbial activity).
Foam is not a reliable determinent for microbial development in ACT. The nose and clock are much more reliable.
Mr JKD works in the wastewater industry. (I have actually had contact for consulting with a couple of plants) In ACT seeing filamentous bacteria is rare. What one hopes to see regarding bacteria/archaea are motile diverse (looking) individuals in large numbers.
In the wastewater industry (activated sludge), I believe that it is favourable to see a fairly high number of vorticella (type of ciliate) but not so in ACT. Rather one wishes to see flagellates and/or naked amoebae.
In the wastewater industry (activated sludge), I believe that it is not favourable to see lots of fungal hyphae but it is in ACT. The two technologies have their similarities but it is not appropriate to use the same evaluation foundation.
Mr JKD has presented us with an old copy of Elaine Ingham's Compost Tea Manual and called it 'the bible of ACT'. There is a lot of interesting stuff in there and worth reading, however there are many inaccuracies (which even Elaine currently states) concerning amounts, foodstock, etc.
I admit to knowing not much about activated sludge and I posted the link to the course on Activated Sludge for the benefit of those interested, not for Mr JKD as he seemed to surmise. It at least has many pretty good photos of microorganisms.
CT Guy has very kindly copied my initial post into his 'Tea Article' sticky, so the information will not be lost, which is all I wanted to begin with. I did not want people thinking their ACT was no good without foam! I therefore have no more use for this thread so have a nice talk about activated sludge foam.
I bid you good day & goodnight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROPcZ8S_nwE
If one views my webpage it is easily determined that I can clearly define and illustrate a much higher level of microbes [bacteria, archaea, protozoa and fungal hyphae (sometimes rotifers)] extracted into ACT than any other similar organization or business, worldwide [that I know of]. This is given as foundation that I do know what I am talking about.
I have observed ACT with lots of foam to be mostly devoid of microbes and ACT with no foam to be swarming with microbes. Instant foam can be acheived by mixing molasses and water. (foam in the photo previously posted was caused by molasses and not microbial activity).
Foam is not a reliable determinent for microbial development in ACT. The nose and clock are much more reliable.
Mr JKD works in the wastewater industry. (I have actually had contact for consulting with a couple of plants) In ACT seeing filamentous bacteria is rare. What one hopes to see regarding bacteria/archaea are motile diverse (looking) individuals in large numbers.
In the wastewater industry (activated sludge), I believe that it is favourable to see a fairly high number of vorticella (type of ciliate) but not so in ACT. Rather one wishes to see flagellates and/or naked amoebae.
In the wastewater industry (activated sludge), I believe that it is not favourable to see lots of fungal hyphae but it is in ACT. The two technologies have their similarities but it is not appropriate to use the same evaluation foundation.
Mr JKD has presented us with an old copy of Elaine Ingham's Compost Tea Manual and called it 'the bible of ACT'. There is a lot of interesting stuff in there and worth reading, however there are many inaccuracies (which even Elaine currently states) concerning amounts, foodstock, etc.
I admit to knowing not much about activated sludge and I posted the link to the course on Activated Sludge for the benefit of those interested, not for Mr JKD as he seemed to surmise. It at least has many pretty good photos of microorganisms.
CT Guy has very kindly copied my initial post into his 'Tea Article' sticky, so the information will not be lost, which is all I wanted to begin with. I did not want people thinking their ACT was no good without foam! I therefore have no more use for this thread so have a nice talk about activated sludge foam.
I bid you good day & goodnight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROPcZ8S_nwE
??
god?
god?
Good question.
but the bye bye part then?
Actually, I've always attributed the foam in the picture to the use of agave, which is the second picture. Not much molasses in it.
Extremely ripe agave. Apparently similar to molasses, at least in the quality of foam.
I'm at "ah", not quite at "hah" yet. It might be a long moment, but I may learn something here.
Extremely ripe agave. Apparently similar to molasses, at least in the quality of foam.
I'm at "ah", not quite at "hah" yet. It might be a long moment, but I may learn something here.
A response to him saying he has no more use for this thread?
singingcrow
Member
Just wanted to throw in my 1.5 cents. Thank you Microbeman for the info. I've actually been reading your website fo about 2 weeks, just learning how to get a good ACT brew going, let alone all your knowledge about microbes. You are very helpful and sweet. Thanks!
