Too much or too little ventilation?
- Thread starter thetester
- Start date
LIBERTYCHICKEN
Well-Known Member
I dont know about mono tubes but If your going PF , you will want holes on the bottom as well , you will also want to keep the chamber a few inches off the table so air can flow underneath
iconoclast
Well-Known Member
Dude, 3 air exchanges an hour is unnecessary and unrealistic for most people, unless you have automation.
Personally I would have made far less holes but made them bigger. I typically will use 4, 1/2 holes around the bottom and 4 around the top but nothing in the lid. I will also fan 2-3 times a day. It's true, if done correctly, you shouldn't have to mist a casing until after the 3rd or 4th flush.
I don't like teks that don't use rocks for humidity because then the humidity must come from your casing. It will work but your casing will dry it out faster and then you will have to mist. I recommend not misting unless absolutely necessary as that will invite contams.
canndo
Well-Known Member
good point, and probably true. It is still the best way to keep your co2 down. Automation is very easy and worthwhile for bulk. I guess shotgun gets the job done as well?
iconoclast
Well-Known Member
I mean, I don't call it "shotgun" but I guess it's a similar principle. I drill 4 or 8 holes ventilation holes. No way am I taking the time to drill as many holes as OP. Also, having that many holes makes the bin look suspect. With my bin, it looks just like a regular rough tote. Any yes, "shotgun" (if done correctly) does a very good job with air exchange. I've never used it for cakes though, only casings.
canndo
Well-Known Member
sounds nice, but I prefer the control of a plenum. I want two exchanges I dial it in. I want eight I blow through the water but get the refresh rate. You can even hook it to a co2 sensor and get direct control let alone rh.
but again as you said, none of that is required to get fruit from this species.
but again as you said, none of that is required to get fruit from this species.
iconoclast
Well-Known Member
Ya, agreed. I know there are better ways to do air exchanges, as you have just described. But for me, I'm a minimalist. I like to do the best I can with a minimal amount of up keep and setup and I think I get pretty good results. Cheers.
iconoclast
Well-Known Member
Cubies are a very forgiving strain and you can get results many ways but I don't think you're getting that much air exchange with that but I could be wrong. I like to have a tray, elevated a couple inches off the bottom, using a rack, inside of a bin. That way the co2 easily rolls off of the tray into the bin and out the drain holes. Wet geolite on the bottom helps to keep the humidity high so the moisture isn't pulled from the casing. The less you have to mist the casing the better because misting invites contams, imo.
thetester
Active Member
Cool, that is something to consider for the next tub, this one obviously can't be retrofitted. I'll post another pic of the progress, they are moving along nicely.
iconoclast
Well-Known Member
Ya, they look good. Keep it up.
thetester
Active Member
I suspect that the uneven flush is because the substrate was not mixed enough. But at this point, I'm curious how to go about preparing for a second flush.
iconoclast
Well-Known Member
For a second flush, here is what I do. After you pick the casing clean, I'll take some fresh casing material and do a light resurface. Fill in the divots and the sides where the casing has pulled away. Then just wait, you won't have to wait long for your second to pop up.
Those look good, what is your substrate and how much did you use?
Those look good, what is your substrate and how much did you use?
canndo
Well-Known Member
I concur with iconoclast except I like to slowly bring the casing back to field capacity with light misting, you might also adjust the ph of the water to a little bit basic to counteract the natural acidification of your substrate by the metabolism of the mycelium.
I have noticed that when conditions are right you will find primordia hidden below the surface even as your first flush finishes. These will develops very quickly if you manage to keep them from being damaged during harvest. Only after your second will the third flush be delayed as the organism rests and replenishes for your third.
then you have a decision, do you go on to A fourth, risking trich or do you throw the whole thing out and start anew.
I have noticed that when conditions are right you will find primordia hidden below the surface even as your first flush finishes. These will develops very quickly if you manage to keep them from being damaged during harvest. Only after your second will the third flush be delayed as the organism rests and replenishes for your third.
then you have a decision, do you go on to A fourth, risking trich or do you throw the whole thing out and start anew.
thetester
Active Member
This was adapted from a method I saw on shroomery.org. The substrate was:
1/2 brick of coco coir
12 pints of vermiculite
4 pints of brown rice flour
4 pints of bird seed
8 cups of water
2 tablespoons of lime
This was enough for two of these tubs.