Strong smell (ammonia) from super soil?

Whats up RIU,


I made a traditional large (roughly 8 bag recipe) batch of Subcools soil and I am currently 1 month and 5 days in for the cooking process. I have one half of the batch in a 32 gal trash can and the other half in a large tote. Let me first say that I believe I put wayyyyyy too much water in when I first started it. Moving along...I also haven't turned it too much as I thought you only turned every two days or so for the first week+ then let it set and do its thing. Right or wrong? Seeing conflicting answers. Now, I noticed about two weeks ago that the 32 gal half of the batch started forming a nice web over the top of the soil and was looking great and now as of today it is barely noticeable. Is it supposed to get bigger and bigger or is it supposed to break down as it is currently doing? I'll note that it is the more ammonia scented part of the batch compared to the tote and the tote wasn't showing much of the webbing until I added a little oatmeal to the top. Wondering if all of this is because of the excess water or because I haven't stirred as much as needed? Thanks peeps
 

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SouthCross

Well-Known Member
The only thing I know of in super soil to give off ammonia smell is the bat crap. Maybe a bit wasn't mixed in right? Go's to rotten and stinks?

Swamp mud gives off a more all around rotten smell.
 
This is the second part of the batch (tote). Didn't have much growth at all until I added (a bit too much) oatmeal...not nearly as bad as a smell of ammonia or whatever it is from this tote compared to the 32 gal can.
 

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BudmanTX

Well-Known Member
The only thing I know of in super soil to give off ammonia smell is the bat crap. Maybe a bit wasn't mixed in right? Go's to rotten and stinks?

Swamp mud gives off a more all around rotten smell.
in my experience with soils, when things start breaking down it will give off that smell, when it does, i mix well and let it air out, bringing oxygen back in. My belief when you messing with soils of the caliber is, its a living breathing thing, treat it as such...
 

SouthCross

Well-Known Member
I take a fireplace poker and stab the soil. Get it down to bottom and bring it up. About once or twice a month or when I remember. Usually do it when it's lightly raining or high humidity. Let's a dozen drops of rain water get into mix. As long as there's some moisture on the underside of the lid. Not moist enough for it stick to your hand....too much. Some, but not like mud.
 
what admendments did u add to the soil?


It was SUBCOOL mix to a T. Roots as base. Down to earth amendments across the board along with BioAg TM7 micronutrients and humic acid concentrate. Based on the research I did yesterday, most of what I saw would indicate it went anaerobic on me. I'll try spreading it out. Would simply leaving the tops off work or do you think it should be poured into a contained such as a kiddy pool with more surface area?
 

Bugeye

Well-Known Member
It was SUBCOOL mix to a T. Roots as base. Down to earth amendments across the board along with BioAg TM7 micronutrients and humic acid concentrate. Based on the research I did yesterday, most of what I saw would indicate it went anaerobic on me. I'll try spreading it out. Would simply leaving the tops off work or do you think it should be poured into a contained such as a kiddy pool with more surface area?
If you over wet it, it will be hard to dry it just by opening lid, water is trapped at bottom. If you don't have room to spread it out, just restacking it from one bin to another bin will help. Try to put the really wet sludge at the bottom someplace it can dry out a bit.
 
If you over wet it, it will be hard to dry it just by opening lid, water is trapped at bottom. If you don't have room to spread it out, just restacking it from one bin to another bin will help. Try to put the really wet sludge at the bottom someplace it can dry out a bit.

Will do. Thank for the input brother
 

BudmanTX

Well-Known Member
When i do my soils, the only thing i use is blood meal, bone meal, little bit of iron for cellular structure, crushed sea shell for calcium, and ground pumpkin seeds for the k nurtrient
 
My whole fucking house smells now hahaha. I stole my daughters kiddy pool...I'm doing the bigger half of the batch now and as soon as this is dry enough I'll return it to its home and bring in the other tote. Has this soil been degraded or ruined in any way? I've never had this happen before and am a bit worried. I'm assuming it can pick up where it left off as long as I bring it back to where it needs to be. Also, how dry should I let this get?
 
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