AACT Brewer DIY

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madodah

Well-Known Member
After pricing professional brewers and experiencing sticker shock, then looking at the more modest offerings and feeling they were kind of cheesy, I decided to make my own. I had some expert assistance in specs and sourcing the air pump and heater from guru organic growers on another forum who built their own brewers and they deserve proper credit for the effort.

Anyways, I hope this helps others who follow the living soil method of growing and drives people away from heavily marketed, very pricey and often chemical based in disguise 'nutrients'. I have $118.88 in it, plus my own time, maybe four hours.















 
Jack*Herrer420

Jack*Herrer420

Well-Known Member
Nice build, looks legit man. I built one very similar to that from directions from the Oregon state extensin website. Did you drill holes n the vertical piece of pvc? Also, what was that apparatus attached to the vertical pvc? You should maybe make a parts list, and explain the function/price of each. Nothing negative to say hear, good job. + Rep.
 
M

madodah

Well-Known Member
Jack*Herrer420 said:
Nice build, looks legit man. I built one very similar to that from directions from the Oregon state extensin website. Did you drill holes n the vertical piece of pvc? Also, what was that apparatus attached to the vertical pvc? You should maybe make a parts list, and explain the function/price of each. Nothing negative to say hear, good job. + Rep.
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I also used the 25-gallon OSU design as inspiration. That's the heater element attached to the vertical pvc piece (it'll be awhile before my Oregon temperatures can get a five gallon bucket of water up to and maintain 70°). No holes in the vertical air feed pvc but since you mentioned that I'm going do it to provide additional cooling for the heating element. I thought about breaking the parts down by function and cost but decided anyone who wants to build one can use the images to figure it out. It ain't rocket science. I'm an old horsepower junkie who overspec'd the air pump and heater as I'd rather have too much than not enough. I'll let others make that decision for themselves and if they prefer less air and heat capability they can save some money with a little research.
 
Jack*Herrer420

Jack*Herrer420

Well-Known Member
madodah said:
I also used the 25-gallon OSU design as inspiration. That's the heater element attached to the vertical pvc piece (it'll be awhile before my Oregon temperatures can get a five gallon bucket of water up to and maintain 70°). No holes in the vertical air feed pvc but since you mentioned that I'm going do it to provide additional cooling for the heating element. I thought about breaking the parts down by function and cost but decided anyone who wants to build one can use the images to figure it out. It ain't rocket science. I'm an old horsepower junkie who overspec'd the air pump and heater as I'd rather have too much than not enough. I'll let others make that decision for themselves and if they prefer less air and heat capability they can save some money with a little research.
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Good points, I live in so cal, so I leave my bucket out in the sun to get it heated, but you do want to have a warmer temperature, so most people probably would need one. I should probably get one too, just to be on the safe side, so it looks like I'll be going down to the hydro shop sometime soon. I agree its better to have more than you need, I got the ecoplus commercial pump, I don't remember the specs, and my friend was like whoa, whats up with the huge pump, and I said what you said. You can't have too much air, and actually most people don't have enough air, which is a much bigger problem.
 
M

madodah

Well-Known Member
Jack*Herrer420 said:
Good points, I live in so cal, so I leave my bucket out in the sun to get it heated, but you do want to have a warmer temperature, so most people probably would need one. I should probably get one too, just to be on the safe side, so it looks like I'll be going down to the hydro shop sometime soon. I agree its better to have more than you need, I got the ecoplus commercial pump, I don't remember the specs, and my friend was like whoa, whats up with the huge pump, and I said what you said. You can't have too much air, and actually most people don't have enough air, which is a much bigger problem.
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One of the organic growers I know locally who uses brewed teas purchased a cheapo brewer ($150) and had to add a heater due to our colder climate. After using it twice he decided to copy mine (OSU's) and sold his on Craig's list. Maintaining 70° for 18-24 hours just isn't going to happen here this time of year without a heater. Rather than calculate the wattage required for a fish tank I ordered a 300watt model with digital controls ($35) so I can bring the temperature up quickly in plain aerated water and then add my ingredients.

Given the rapidly rising popularity of outdoor organic vegetable and decorative plant growing by individuals (commercial interests caught on long ago) I'd think tooling is being designed in a low labor cost country to mass produce efficient 'personal' brewers at a very attractive retail price. The bulk of outdoor marijuana growers still seem to be stuck in the name brand soil and nutrient world.
 
odbsmydog

odbsmydog

Well-Known Member
Good job man. Looks just like mine except i have an airstone instead of pvc. glad to see people doing shit right!
 
M

madodah

Well-Known Member
odbsmydog said:
Good job man. Looks just like mine except i have an airstone instead of pvc. glad to see people doing shit right!
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Don't have any case experience with it but I've read some air stones emit bubbles so tiny that with a strong pump they can do serious damage to microbes.
 
odbsmydog

odbsmydog

Well-Known Member
i have the same pump, dont need a heater though cause its already 80 outside and will be in the 100s soon enough. ive never had any probs with the airstone but maybe i should look into the pvc, i like how evenly it distributes the bubbles.
 
M

madodah

Well-Known Member
odbsmydog said:
i have the same pump, dont need a heater though cause its already 80 outside and will be in the 100s soon enough. ive never had any probs with the airstone but maybe i should look into the pvc, i like how evenly it distributes the bubbles.
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Lucky you. Still around 70° here and that's a big improvement.

As a side note for others following this thread, I vented the vertical PVC piece connecting the pump to the vented PVC bottom diffuser, same 1/16th" holes, (intent to provide cooling for the heating element) and received an engineering lesson; the pumped air took the easy way out where there was less resistance. Great bubbles from the vertical piece near the top of the water. Felt dumb but happy a new piece of PVC and a little time would rectify my ignorance. I've since done two brews and everything works fine.
 
odbsmydog

odbsmydog

Well-Known Member
It's not often people tell me I'm lucky living in redding where it gets up to 120 and 115 is average heat in the summer... Damn the sacramento valley!
 
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