Direct conversion of anaerobic compost tea into aerobic compost tea is not straightforward or recommended. The microbial communities in anaerobic and aerobic environments are fundamentally different, and simply aerating an anaerobic brew will not reliably transform it into a beneficial aerobic compost tea12. Here’s what you need to know:
Microbial Differences
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Anaerobic compost tea contains microbes that thrive without oxygen, some of which can be harmful or produce phytotoxic byproducts such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, or even alcohols32.
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Aerobic compost tea is dominated by beneficial aerobic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes that promote plant and soil health345.
When you aerate an anaerobic tea, most anaerobic microbes will die off, but this does not guarantee the rapid or effective establishment of a healthy aerobic microbe population1. Instead, the dead anaerobic organisms may serve as food for aerobic microbes if you introduce them, but the resulting microbial balance is unpredictable and may not be optimal for plant health1.
Best Practice: Start Fresh
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For optimal results, always brew aerobic compost tea from scratch using high-quality, fully decomposed compost, dechlorinated water, and active aeration (such as an aquarium pump with air stones)3425.
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Add a microbial food source (like unsulphured molasses) to encourage aerobic microbial growth, and aerate for 12–48 hours45.
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Use the finished tea immediately after brewing to maintain its aerobic benefits5.
If You Must Aerate an Anaerobic Tea
If you already have an anaerobic tea and want to try converting it:
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You can add an air pump and aerate the solution vigorously for 24–48 hours.
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However, this will not convert the existing anaerobic microbes into aerobic ones; instead, it may kill off anaerobes and allow airborne or introduced aerobic microbes to colonize the solution1.
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The resulting tea may still contain undesirable byproducts from the anaerobic phase and is unlikely to match the quality of a properly brewed aerobic compost tea32.
Safety and Plant Health
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Anaerobic teas can contain pathogens and phytotoxic compounds, so they should be used with caution, especially on edible crops2.
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Aerobic teas, when brewed and used correctly, are safer and more beneficial for plant health3425.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Anaerobic Tea | Aerobic Tea (AACT) | Aerating Anaerobic Tea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microbes | Anaerobic (some harmful) | Beneficial aerobic | Kills anaerobes, unpredictable |
| Byproducts | Methane, H₂S, alcohols | Humic/fulvic acids, amino acids | May retain harmful byproducts |
| Plant Safety | Risk of pathogens | Generally safe | Not reliably safe |
| Best Practice | Not recommended for foliar use | Brew fresh with aeration | Start fresh for best results |
Conclusion
To create high-quality aerobic compost tea, always brew fresh using proper aeration and quality compost. Attempting to convert anaerobic tea by aerating is not reliable or recommended, as the microbial community and byproducts may not be ideal for plant health3125.
- https://permies.com/t/56579/Anaerobic-weed-tea-aerobic
- https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/the-truth-about-compost-tea-making-it-using-it-and-what-to-expect-from-it/
- https://gardenerbible.com/how-to-aerate-compost-tea/
- https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/aerated-compost-tea-zebz1307zsie/
- https://homesteadandchill.com/actively-aerated-compost-tea/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0T7GEvKZGI
- https://www.reddit.com/r/composting/comments/v9jfzm/is_anaerobic_compost_tea_really_that_bad/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS8hT9W87CM
- https://permies.com/t/87729/composting/good-aerobic-compost-tea-turned
- https://northcountybounty.com/blog/how-to-brew-anaerobic-tea/
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