Heisenberg
Well-Known Member
Any source of sugar is fine, the more complex the better. Even some fruit would do the trick. If you use granulated sugar try mixing it up really well in a small cup first. One difference is that molasses is already in a form that can quickly provide energy for the microbes. Molasses also has an array of trace minerals. Some microbes need those minerals to form enzymes.In terms of DWC, I think that micro-pore diffusing airstones could make a difference for the roots and micro-organisms. Bubbles will either burst, stick, or be absorbed by the roots in which they come into contact with, but ones that miss the roots will continue upwards and micro-organisms in the reservoir will slowly chomp away at the bubbles. The number of bubbles increases the "mobility" of the bubbles and I would think would allow them to penetrate larger volumes of the reservoir.
I'm by no means a microbiology guy, but I am an engineer, and I'm just applying some general logic to the scenario. Mathematically, the increase in quantity of the bubbles is proportional to the decrease in surface area, so it seems to make sense. The only real gain would be the mobility of the bubbles. Although, I can't necessarily say that the extra cleaning involved would be worth it. I would bet they clog easily, which I think somebody even mentioned earlier..
Anyway, took me about an hour or so to read through the whole thread after you pointed it out to me, Heisenberg. All I have lying around right now is soil a friend cooked up composted with tons of goodies (claims he composted with EWC, too), some subculture B/M, and something called StressZyme+ (for my aquarium, from PetSmart). I don't have any molasses lying around, so will cane sugar, honey, or maple syrup work? I also have liquid karma, which I thought might be a nice food source for the bennies while they're brewing.
Thoughts? Thanks again, Heisenberg. This all looks promising.
The liquid karma is best used as directed and not in the tea.
At first glance stresszyme seems to be bacteria cultures. It is actually encapsulated enzymes and intended to send the bacteria in your aquarium into overdrive. Products with bacteria intended for aquariums are probably not a good idea, since they often contain strains that remove nitrogen from the water.