Fruiting Chamber Designs!

[Drumknott]

Hey everyone

I have a modest 5 jars in my fridge*, they are all 100% colonized and I'm ready to start fruiting them a.s.a.p. but want some advice on fruiting chamber design.

I have a big tub that I used as in incubator (tub in tub) that I intend to use for fruiting. The lid to the tub is not transparent but I intend to cut out the majority of it and replace this with plastic wrap. I've got the perlite ready.

After this, I'm stumped. Some people say FAE by fanning it every day, some say get an aquarium pump some say other things. Is there a general consensus?

I'm worried that I won't be able to / remember to FAE daily and like the sound of automating it but can anyone point me to a good guide for this? I'm having trouble locating one.

Thanks for any advice! This forum is brilliant

*I posted a previous thread about this: Had to go away for a few months but I'm back now, was told this *should* work O.K.

[johnnydigital]

First off, Welcome to this wonderful hobby!! You've done the hardest part, by getting jars to be 100% colonized... Congrats!!!... now, just a few more steps away from enjoying the fruits of your success!!

Cakes don't need THAT much Fresh Air Exchange, IME. More imporantly, is to make sure that the temperature and humidity are correct. Humidity should be 95% plus, and temps should be between 70 and 80 degrees for fruiting. If you just open up the lid once a day, or once every two days, that should be plenty of air exchange... no real need to 'fan' it. If you're worried about it, you could grab some Polyfill from the craft store, cut a 1/4" hole in your chamber, and fill it snugly with polyfill. Or, if you have a fish tank pump handy and a couple feet of tubing, you could just run that into your terrarium and set on a timer for fresh air exchange. It's not necessary though, unless you're going to be away for over a few days and/or want an automated setup. There are many types of designs on this forum, but the simplest, cheapest setup is simple damp perlite in a plastic tub.

Good Luck with your hobby!!!

[hyphaenation]

Here's some awesome threads from the vaults ...

Air, Circulation, Exchange and Humidity.
http://archives.mycotopia.net/discus...tml?1101987401

Grow Chambers & Clean Rooms.
http://archives.mycotopia.net/discus...tml?1161401538

Also from the new archives ...

http://forums.mycotopia.net/air-circ...ange-humidity/

http://forums.mycotopia.net/grow-cha...ms-terrariums/

http://forums.mycotopia.net/growing-...-chronic-bags/

There's literally tons of info and pics in there. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Drumknott]

Thanks a lot for the advice guys!

[ishkaboo]

So are you planning on spawning those cakes to a bulk substrate and creating a monotub or just fruiting the cakes by themselves?


I like fruiting cakes in those sterilize 64 qt clear containers with the clip on lids and perlite on the bottom. That way you can easily see whats going on inside and they get plenty of light.

Here is a picture of what I made to fruit cakes (also small tubs) and it worked fine, the holes (which you could probably get away with less) are covered with micropore tape with a fan blowing at the FC helped automate FAE, I only fanned it occasionally. The tropicaire humidifiers aren't absolutely necessary (but you would want to cover the whole bottom with perlite without them) but they help keep fresh air flowing and they create a slight positive pressure in the chamber to push CO2 out the holes on the bottom. It has served me well maybe you can come up with something similar. The weather stripping around the lid really helps make a seal as well.
http://forums.mycotopia.net/fungi-gr...goes-well.html (Setup- maybe a growlog if all goes well)



Also if you go the tub route using the one you mentioned having that isnt clear, those glass cutting boards work great for making a little "window" on the lid of the tub. Silicone sealant works great for holding it on there (available at any hardware store).

Good luck and welcome to this hobby, it's very rewarding.

[bf7]

just built this 1 myself, nuttin to it, hollar if ya want.....bf7

[DrDee]

Drumknott,
I wouldn't discount the idea of misting and fanning. It's my understanding that that's one of the triggers for fruiting. The evaporation... Along with increased fae, and light. So I'd still do the mist/fanning thing till fruiting is initiated.
Peace,
Dee

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by bf7

just built this 1 myself, nuttin to it, hollar if ya want.....bf7

What exactly are those brown balls on the bottom called?

Those look like a godsend compared to messy ass perlite.... do they keep the RH as high as perlite?

[whatisntseen]

Originally Posted by ishkaboo

What exactly are those brown balls on the bottom called?

Those look like a godsend compared to messy ass perlite.... do they keep the RH as high as perlite?

If that's what I believe it is, than it's called hydroton. It's derived from clay and, like perlite, is extremely porous. It's supposed to expand a bit when fully hydrated. I couldn't tell you how well it holds water though, as I've never used it, though I had planned to use it for a water resevoir area in the lower part of a vivarium, so I have no doubt that it's capable of holding water.

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by whatisntseen

If that's what I believe it is, than it's called hydroton. It's derived from clay and, like perlite, is extremely porous. It's supposed to expand a bit when fully hydrated. I couldn't tell you how well it holds water though, as I've never used it, though I had planned to use it for a water resevoir area in the lower part of a vivarium, so I have no doubt that it's capable of holding water.

Any idea where the hell you can get it locally and as a last resort online?

I have never seen it at any hydro or garden stores...but then again I wasn't looking for it.

edit: I googled hydroton and came up with some results, but do you know of any local stores that would carry it?

[DrDee]

Hydroton is a commonly used medium in hydroponic plant growing. I doubt that you'll find it anywhere but in a grow shop/hydrponic supply store.
Dee

PS: It doesn't expand when wet. But it does have many internal pores that will absorb and hold moisture.

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by DrDee

Hydroton is a commonly used medium in hydroponic plant growing. I doubt that you'll find it anywhere but in a grow shop/hydrponic supply store.
Dee

PS: It doesn't expand when wet. But it does have many internal pores that will absorb and hold moisture.

Thank you, there is a hydro-organics shop close to my home that surely stocks this, I even found gnatrol there which isn't sold online at all.

Thanks a lot!


So is it better than perlite or should I not even bother?

[DrDee]

Ishkaboo,
I'd just have to make a guess. Far as moisture holding capability...it's probably a close call. Look at price and availability. It's spring and any garden center will have perlite. Hydroton is bulky and heavy, but works great for hydroponics. Both are somewhat of a pain in the ass to use. Hydroton...you have the damn balls rolling around on the floor. Perlite you have dust to deal with. Be an astute shopper and buy whatever is cheaper in your area. Both will work fine.
Peace,
Dee

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by DrDee

Ishkaboo,
I'd just have to make a guess. Far as moisture holding capability...it's probably a close call. Look at price and availability. It's spring and any garden center will have perlite. Hydroton is bulky and heavy, but works great for hydroponics. Both are somewhat of a pain in the ass to use. Hydroton...you have the damn balls rolling around on the floor. Perlite you have dust to deal with. Be an astute shopper and buy whatever is cheaper in your area. Both will work fine.
Peace,
Dee

Thanks for the down to earth response. Perlite is common in my area and has treated me great in the past. Maybe its fine to continue with, I just thought the alternative might be better/cheaper.

[bf7]

Originally Posted by ishkaboo

What exactly are those brown balls on the bottom called?

Those look like a godsend compared to messy ass perlite.... do they keep the RH as high as perlite?

yes it's hydroton/Leca, had an old waterfarm it came with it, decided to try it, my humidity has been holding steady at 99 percent using my sonic humidifier 1/2hr every 4 hrs...was gonna order some perlite but they wanted 45 bucks just for shipping, nick's that...any hydro shop and some well established Garden centers carry it, shipping would be terribly high i imagine it's heavier than perlite....

if ya decide to use some be carefull to rinse it in a bucket or something till the water you drain off is CLEAR, then ya fill a bucket or container with fresh water ph it to the neutral zone and soak for about 3 hrs drain off excess and fill your tub.....bf7

the Dr. is correct, done stepped on a couple of those damn things i spilled, sounds like captian crunch.

[prism]

Capn Cunch!

[bf7]

Originally Posted by prism1234

Capn Cunch!

might have to change my handle here to, "captian crunch" haha i like it...wonder if there is already 1 here?

....bf7

[alpiner]

if doing cakes a layer of perlite on the bottom of the tub and use some lids to keep them off the perlite is all you need. even putting a window in the top of the tub is overkill.

you do have to fan at least twice a day though, the other tubs are nice and all but if you're new to this keep it simple. air systems are nice and all but for a few cakes are totally overkill and one more point of failure.

also, a plain tub unmodified is much more stealthy

trust me, you will remember to fan them every day, all you'll want to do is peek at them all the time.
if not schedule it somehow.
really, just do a normal tub, easy as can be.

if you can't remember to look at them every day I highly suggest doing a invitro run

[Drumknott]

OK thanks for all the advice. I am going to keep it as simple as possible for now.

I will keep it heated between 70 and 80f and fan every day. Should I have any holes at all in the tub? And some say misting some say just fannnig? I have no mister handy but could probably locate one.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

[Smiling Turtle]

Originally Posted by Drumknott

OK thanks for all the advice. I am going to keep it as simple as possible for now.

I will keep it heated between 70 and 80f and fan every day. Should I have any holes at all in the tub? And some say misting some say just fannnig? I have no mister handy but could probably locate one.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I have read many posts were people cut holes in their fruiting chamber and covered it with either pollyfill or Tvek.......Doing this in addition to daily fanning is said to promote an overall greater rate of FAE. .Im building my fruiting chamber today. And i plan on creating holes in the tub covered with pollyfill. One on each side, so 4 in total. I plan to fan my casing 2-3 times a day also, because i dont think adding FAE holes will be enough in general.

A Mister is a good buy because if you ever do a casing your going to need one to keep those cakes moist. Also to spray the side of your FC when needed.

(A little off topic)

I noticed you guys were talking about pearlite for maintaining the RH. I allways wondered, could you use crumbled styrofoam as a substitute?

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by Smiling Turtle

I noticed you guys were talking about pearlite for maintaining the RH. I allways wondered, could you use crumbled styrofoam as a substitute?

No, the point of using perlite is because it does not absorb any water, it has a bunch of microscopic grooves that keep water on the surface to evaporate and cause condensation.

Styrofoam will absorb water and won't wick it into the air as nicely.


Why not just get perlite? It's cheap as hell and is available at all the local hardware and garden stores.

[Smiling Turtle]

Originally Posted by ishkaboo

Why not just get perlite? It's cheap as hell and is available at all the local hardware and garden stores.

Because i have tons of styrofoam laying around in old boxes, and i wondered if i could put some to use. And im allways trying to save money
But i guess ill just have to buy some pearlite. I dont want to jeopardize my mushies.

-Thanks

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by Smiling Turtle

Because i have tons of styrofoam laying around in old boxes, and i wondered if i could put some to use. And im allways trying to save money
But i guess ill just have to buy some pearlite. I dont want to jeopardize my mushies.

-Thanks

I know an interesting experiment you can do with all that styrofoam lol... back in the day me and a few of my friends mixed a bunch of styrofoam with gasoline in a bucket using a wooden pole to stir it up, the styrofoam melts and you end up with a thick paste. When ignited, this behaves similarly to napalm.

It's a farcry from real napalm though, NOTHING like what was used in Vietnam. Way weaker. It just burns for a long time.


Not that I recommend anyone go around making napalm or anything, just sharing an experience I guess. (like anyone can afford to waste gasoline on such an experiment in today's day and age anyway lol)

[Smiling Turtle]

Originally Posted by ishkaboo

I know an interesting experiment you can do with all that styrofoam lol... back in the day me and a few of my friends mixed a bunch of styrofoam with gasoline in a bucket using a wooden pole to stir it up, the styrofoam melts and you end up with a thick paste. When ignited, this behaves similarly to napalm.

It's a farcry from real napalm though, NOTHING like what was used in Vietnam. Way weaker. It just burns for a long time.


Not that I recommend anyone go around making napalm or anything, just sharing an experience I guess. (like anyone can afford to waste gasoline on such an experiment in today's day and age anyway lol)

LMAO That sounds fun. Cant be good for the enviroment tho (i can only imagine how that ish must smell). And i live in a city. So i dont see myself getting away with igniting something similar to napalm in the middle of the street lol.

Although this informaton could potentially be useful someday...haha

[ishkaboo]

Originally Posted by Smiling Turtle

LMAO That sounds fun. Cant be good for the enviroment tho (i can only imagine how that ish must smell). And i live in a city. So i dont see myself getting away with igniting something similar to napalm in the middle of the street lol.

Although this informaton could potentially be useful someday...haha

lol yea its just a funny science thing... it wreaks of gasoline. It was fun for maybe 5 minutes then I lost interest.

[240punk]

Originally Posted by ishkaboo

lol yea its just a funny science thing... it wreaks of gasoline. It was fun for maybe 5 minutes then I lost interest.

Fill said substance into glass bottle 50/50 with motor oil and insert gas soaked rage and light. Killer molotov.