Compost Tea Barrel Setup - Photos

15 years ago

I thought that I'd share this with those of you who use compost tea. It's been cross-posted from the "Soil" forum.

I got my tea barrel set up and thought that I'd share a couple of photos.

As you can see it's just a 55 gallon plastic drum and an aquarium pump. I take an old pillow case and fill it with compost and whatever else I want to add. I then put an air hose inside of the bag and one down on the bottom of the barrel.

Total Cost (Roughly):

Barrel: $50.00

Pump: $20.00

Hose Bib: $4.00

Silicone: $2.50

P.S. That's a re-conditioned pickle barrel

Greg

Nevada

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

sinfonian
15 years ago
Cool setup, thanks!

Reminds me of a funny story. Very early in my gardening experience, before I even built it, I saw a seminar about compost tea and emailed to see if I could attend.

To this day I recall the email I sent. I said I was interested in compost tea because I was starting a garden and my family drinks a lot of tea. Hehe. I bet they got a kick out of that. All I can say is ignorance is bliss.

Cool setup you got there. Do you see a difference when you fertigate with it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure!
sandhill_farms
Original Author
15 years ago
Sinfonian wrote:

"Cool setup you got there. Do you see a difference when you fertigate with it?"

Thanks for the compliment. It's very-very simple to put together, is inexpensive to build, and works great. I just fired-it-up this morning and I'll have tea in 24-48 hours. Anyone wishing to use compost tea should really put one together as there's nothing to it.

I quit gardening about (4) years ago due to long hours on the job, this was shortly after I put this system together so I really haven't tested it out to see what the results were. I hadn't thought about using it in my fertigation system as before I just used it as a soil drench. I may just try that out this time, now that you mention it.

Greg
Nevada
Related Discussions
My first stinkin' experience with alfalfa/compost tea
Q
Comments (22)
I decided to have a look at this forum because I have one little rose I haven't been able to help. Name is Gismo. It leafed out white this spring, I have tried several things, including the tea. Got BS and lost all white leaves, now is leafed out again and blooming with more white leaves. Anyway, here is my alfalfa tea story.I mixed up 4 cups of pellets and some epsom salts in a 5 gal container. Unknown to me the container had a small slit in it. All 5 gal of it leaked out onto 2 daylilies. They grew like mad, and are blooming for the 3rd time. Poor Gismo is still white, yes I made more of the magic brew and Gismo got some. I love that little rose, but hate white leaves. He has always had green ones before.
...See More
Compost Tea Question
Q
Comments (11)
Is compost tea that has been brewing for too long harmful? Is the above statement referring to aerated or non-aerated? And, about it getting stinky, (apparently that's the only type I'm good at making :)) Is stinky tea still good???? I'm been dumping mine 'cause I'm not sure. Real new at CT too. Guess, what I'm trying to find out is: can the end product EVER be bad and harmful to the plants? Talking straight compost tea, not manure or manured compost tea as they are different animals, ok? Just as with compost itself, anaerobic tea isn't desirable. Not that it is flat-out harmful any more than anaerobic compost is harmful, but it does contain undesirable bacteria, molds, and fungi so it isn't safe to use as a general spray or foliar feed even if diluted well. Used as root drench it is ok as long as you avoid splashing it on plant leaves or using it on root crops or low-growing leafy greens where it can contaminate them with those pathogens. Both aerated or non-aerated teas can become anaerobic if brewed too long although aerated takes longer to turn anaerobic. But honestly, there is no benefit to such long brewing times. Either way, 12-24 hour tea is perfect and then pull the bag, 48 hours if areated. And brew smaller amounts that you know you can use within that time frame. If you have a bucket or barrel that has turned anaerobic double the dilution on it and aerate it by stirring well or pouring back and forth from bucket to bucket until the worst of the odor dissipates. Dave
...See More
Molasses In Compost Tea?
Q
Comments (8)
Here's the info that you are looking for. Pay particular attention to the section, 'Start with the right kind of compost', and under the heading 'Tea Time' the direction to use "unsulfured molasses". Sulfur is antibiotic, so it is counterproductive to use in ACT. Sulfur is supposed to be a trace element in agriculture, and in order to alleviate its undesirable effects must be incorporated in the sulfate form as part of a compound - Iron sulfate for example, or some other compound depending on what is determined to be deficient by soil analysis. Terran Here is a link that might be useful: Brewing Compost Tea
...See More
Compost tea
Q
Comments (18)
What I did last year was put all my compost from upstairs and the green house into buckets with holes in the bottom. Once it started decaying, I would add some water, usually left over nuits to it and let it drain, as well let the decomposing stuff drain. Once I collected enough, I would transfer it to another bucket and stick an air hose in it and let it aerate for a few days, then bottle it, keeping the lid loose When I was ready to use it this spring, I would again aerate it for 2-4 days, then pour it on the ground around the plants. It worked, but I don't know if it worked as good as perfectly brewed tea would have. I know the green beans, tomatoes and carrots I used it on were greener the next day. No use in drilling holes just yet - it isn't suppose to get close to freezing until Friday. At the same time, I'm tempted to let it go until spring. If it isn't any good, I can always pour it into my fire pit (wood ash soaked in compost tea or leachate!). Mike
...See More
catherinet
15 years ago
I'm not familiar with using an air hose. maybe that's why mine gets so putrid??? Is it common to use a pump for air?
sandhill_farms
Original Author
15 years ago
catherinet, You're getting that putrid smell because there's no air in your tea, (anaerobic). Some people constantly stir their tea to introduce air, (aerobic), but I prefer to use the inexpensive aquarium pump. Personally I find this to be a better way to go about it, but then that's just my opinion.

BTW...It's been running for a little over 24 hours now and it's really cooking.

Greg
Nevada

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Home Setups That Serve You: Designing the Kitchen

By Glamour Nest

Crayons near the silverware? A printer on the counter? Go ahead — if your kitchen doesn't cater to your needs, it's not doing its job

Full Story

GREEN BUILDING How to Harvest Rainwater for Your Garden

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Conserve a vital resource and save money by collecting stormwater for irrigation in a barrel or tank

Full Story

By Amber Hopman

Of all the kitchen storage photos uploaded to Houzz this year, these 14 were tops. Which will you save to your kitchen ideabook?

Full Story

222

WEDDINGS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Backyard Wedding!

By Janet Paik

Did you say ‘I do’ at home? We want to hear and see everything about it. Share your photos and you could be featured in an upcoming ideabook

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN 40 Must-Haves for the Kitchen: A Gift Guide for Cooks

By Becky Harris

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Kick Back in Comfort in Your Own Kitchen Lounge

By Tiffany Carboni

Keep the cook company or just relax solo in a kitchen hangout with all the comforts of a lounge

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Backyard Dreaming: 13 Ideas to Spark Your Imagination

By Laura Gaskill

Transform your yard or patio this spring by turning your thoughts to outdoor flights of fancy now

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

Full Story

112

MATERIALS Are You a Maker? Show Us Your Favorite Tool or Material

By Annie Thornton

Houzz Call: A tool or material can be a maker’s best friend. We’d like to see your favorite — and what it helps you achieve

Full Story

206

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

Full Story

Compost Tea Barrel Setup - Photos

Comments (4)

sinfonian

sandhill_farms
Original Author

Related Discussions

catherinet

sandhill_farms
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Compost Tea Barrel Setup - Photos

Comments (4)

sinfonian

sandhill_farmsOriginal Author

Related Discussions

catherinet

sandhill_farmsOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sandhill_farms
Original Author

sandhill_farms
Original Author