ok I'm working my way though this...
I started brewing compost teas and I stopped using bottled nutes 2 grows ago. (for my main indoor grow, i use nutes on others things like outdoor projects.)
I understand that I am not really knowing what microbes I am getting, but I do know that I am trying my best to get the widest diversity of microbes.
I brew for 36-48h and then I use it all right away. 4ish gal at a time I don't dilute it, i only filter it using a paint strainer bag.
This liquid is seriously slippy stuff. You can feel the biofilm between your fingers. I don't have a microscope, but I'm sure it's full of life.
comparing these harvests to the ones that I used bottled nutes, I have to say the scent on my living soil/tea fed plants is louder. I don't weigh my harvests, so i don't know about yield.
It would be really cool to do a test of ph set water in living soil only vs the same living soil + the tea regime and get the strain sent off for testing to see what the final verdict was. I would love to know this...