Re: [compost_tea] Re: Flow rate for air pumps

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 18:25:16 EST

It is much easier to measure the biology, and less expensive, and less
subject to error than dissolved oxygen, in my opinion.

A good oxygen probe that is easy to use, not subject to all kinds of drift,
and is sturdy enough to hold up to the constant use required in compost tea
work is about $1200 US.

A decent light microscope that will do the job of allowing you to see what
you need to see is about $400 US. A really nice, top-of-the-line microscope is
$1200.

Both oxygen probes and microscopes require about a day of training to be able
to use them properly.

So, the microscope is less expensive, lasts longer, and gives much more
information than the oxygen probe. The microscope can be used to monitor bacteria
and fungi in compost, soil and tea. With an oxygen probe, you need additional
equipment to monitor soil and compost.

Which would you buy? Well, maybe both would be useful. Different things
are measured, and having both types of information helps to confirm what you are
seeing.

But if you can only afford one, I think it is clear which one you want.
 

Elaine Ingham







Received on Sat Feb 26 2005 - 23:56:27 EST

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