Compost tea as a hydroponic nutrient
greystoke
16 years ago
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willardb3
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agogreystoke
16 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Compost Tea and Hydroponics
Comments (19)Ah...now I understand. Somehow I was thinking you were using the perlite to make the tea. Sorry. My goal in starting this tread was to see if it was possible to make a pure nutrient solution from CT. I this context "pure nutrient solution" = sterilized CT with no microbes or large organic compounds in the solution. The idea is to use this processed CT as a substitute/replacement for normal inorganic hydroponic solutions. Here are the steps that I think needs to be done to get to this "processed" CT. 1. Start making CT in the normal manner. Here is a good link for making CT: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/Tea/tea1.htm Notes: Aeration is critical and giving some supplemental food sound like a good idea. Need to measure and record the TDS/EC several times during the "cooking" process to see when the TDS/EC reading starts to level off. This indicates the "food" is running out and/or the microbes are starting to die off. 2. Sterilization. At this point it is time to kill everything. The idea is to prevent anaerobic activity and to stabilize the nutrient concentration. Sterilization can be accomplished by heating or chemical treatment. H2O2 is a good way but I was going to try an ozone generator in an airlift bucket. On a previous experiment using plain tap water and this setup an ORP reading of 650 was possible. At this level sterilization is achieved. 3. Removing microbes/organic compounds. Short of a centrifuge I think a protein skimmer can be effectively used to remove the dead microbes and larger organic compounds. I think. This is the only piece I have not tried. At the end of all this work is hopefully something useable....See Morechicken manure nutrient tea
Comments (7)The actual and general problem with any manure based teas or manure based nutrients, is that firstly manure stinks (rather unsuited for urban use) and secondly, it isn't as "healthy" and safe if "fresh" and untreated as some people might think. If it's fresh, there is a multitude of bacteria and pathogens and certainly not all are to be classified beneficial. The other downside is in fact that unlike when using known (chemical) components to make nutrients, you don't have any exact analyses of your tea(s). Dosage or regulation isn't exactly easy either, especially if you aim for some specific "nutritional plan" or want to adjust to uncommon plants. On top of that, some parts of the nutrients are dissolved, as in readily available - and others need to be broken down through bacterial activity (actually as a byproduct of the later). Hence, unless you have a high-tech lab at your disposal for a series of analyses, you're a bit fishing in troubled water about the exact nutrient and elemental content. Although there are analyses of various manures available from former or newer research- I guess you gotta get those. Because how would you complement, either with natural minerals or other components, if you have just got one or even two unknowns? I also believe that it's still not easy (unlike with standard nutrients) to lay hand on sure to work "technologies and techniques" for lay people, that enable you to regulate and control nutrient content at least somewhat. I have also noticed, that people who tell having experience and knowledge about such techniques, aren't exactly generously sharing their knowledge, recipes and techniques. I may be wrong here, but at least that was my impression so far - but it's understandable somehow as well. I also came to the point were I do not share all I've gathered together in years of dedication anytime, everywhere with anyone ... And there you have got the whole catalogue of reasons why I haven't been investigating further nor haven't actually tried it ;-) Still, I believe there is a lot (and enough) information around to get started, if you only draw them from multiple sources. That's how you do I guess, in case you can't lay hand on a single source (or person) that has the whole enchilada handy and ready to use for you. ;-) Best of luck, Lucas...See MoreHydroponic Nutrients for Tomato Questions
Comments (6)Hi, I just pulled a bunch of hydronton out of one of the Dutch buckets to check the roots. As I expected, the hydronton just an inch below the surface was damp. Its been almost 11 hours since the last feeding. Roots for just a little off white. I did break some of the roots pulling handfuls of hydronton out, but tugging gently on the attached roots did not break them. They also smelled pretty good. No rotting smell. I have a large airstone in the nutrient tank that bubbles 24x7. I also add 4ml of 35% food grade H2O2 per gallon once per week. I had a black mold problem a couple of weeks ago and the H2O2 fixed the problem. The 4ml per gallon is to maintain sanitation and add extra oxygen. I maintain the nutrient temps between 68 - 71 degrees. One concern I've had that may be related. I use 4 inch rings, which after getting clogged, pours nutrients two inches away from the stem, but does not cover much of the total surface area of the Dutch Bucket. As a result, the roots are not spreading out much further then 3-4 inches from the stem. Once per day I manually scoop nutrients from the reservoir and wet the hydroton across the full surface of the Dutch Bucket. Mike...See MoreHydroponics make some nutrients
Comments (5)Lol im no scientist! I just researched how to do urea conversion and thought hmn microwave lets try it and whoa lol..... I would guess not too hot the patent has it converting @ 400F as this is the ingredients of explosives and not taking chances is best better. It salts pretty quickly in the nukems unit. IF you research urea conversion it has every detail even a hydrogrow of carrots with and without urea & converted mix. BOOOOOOOOM be careful is best. jk" but be carefull. Maybe its just ph'ing really good or adding small nutrient IDK its working like a good fert a really good fert. When naturally scraping on a mound of cow poo a tablespoon of those salts treat 50 gallon resvoirs so in conversion the nitrates become for hydro a very potent mix. The mineral bonus is all inclusive in the plant food.. I use a pinhead, serious a pinhead for seedlings. It takes 3 months for the nitrates to salt on urea of cow poo they figured out how to do it better was my search mindstate.. 3 months is way too long someone does it quicker and I found it tried it and whoa......See Moregreystoke
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