NEWBIE QUESTION: Can Perlite Contam?

Evenfall · 08-13-09, 11:14

Newbie Question Follows:

I know from first hand experience that an unsterilized brf jar can grow visable contams in less that 48 hours. I don't know why we aren't as worried about perlite growing contams though. I have nightmares every night with visions of my damp perlite layer in the FC being covered with Trich, Cobweb, Bread Mold or worse.

Does perlite by nature prohibit contam growth?
Do contams not take hold on perlite because their are no nutrients to feed on?
What makes everyone unconcerned about their exposed & wet perlite?

Someone please make me feel better so I can get a good nights sleep.

Thanks for putting up with what I am sure must be a silly question.

Irishlion · 08-13-09, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evenfall

Newbie Question Follows:

I know from first hand experience that an unsterilized brf jar can grow visable contams in less that 48 hours. I don't know why we aren't as worried about perlite growing contams though. I have nightmares every night with visions of my damp perlite layer in the FC being covered with Trich, Cobweb, Bread Mold or worse.

Does perlite by nature prohibit contam growth?
Do contams not take hold on perlite because their are no nutrients to feed on?
What makes everyone unconcerned about their exposed & wet perlite?

Someone please make me feel better so I can get a good nights sleep.

Thanks for putting up with what I am sure must be a silly question.

If you add salt to the water before hydrating the perlite, you will never have a contamn. But, yes it can contamn and gorw nasties in it especially if something falls into the perlite like a grain or something of that nature, but the salt takes care of that, and says behind in the perlite when the H2O evaporates.

TastyBeverage · 08-13-09, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishlion

If you add salt to the water before hydrating the perlite, you will never have a contamn.

^^^^What he said. Also, make sure that you put something between your cakes and the perlite! The lid of the jar works perfect, but a double layered piece of foil will do in a pinch. Note: the salt water may corrode the foil over time.

Evenfall · 08-13-09, 11:49

The prelite was dampened with RO water and about a 1/4 cup of H2O2. This is the first I have heard salt mentioned. I will definitly add some the next time I rehydrate the perlite. I created a platform for the cakes to site on made from plastic egg crate. I then place the DEC'd cakes on their jar lids on the egg crate.

I used a bad of Miracle-Gro Perlite (only thing locally available) and it has some chuncks of brown-shit (maybe literally for all I know). I wish it was just plain white, it would make contams easier to spot. The perlite is damp but not too wet. I errored on the dry side figuring I can adjust based on the Hygrometer readings.

Here's what it looks like. There is a lot of condensation on the glass because it was cool in the house this morning. That should clear up in another hour or two as the ambient temperature in the house rises.

The cup and pump you see is a airstone is an experiment using air already in the fruiting chamber. With just the perlite humidity varies between 95%-100%. Ciruculating the already humid aid with the air stone since yesterday the humidity has been 99%-100%. I do three menual FAE a day with balloons filled with pure O.

Do you see any problems with the current setup?

Hippie3 · 08-13-09, 11:55

possible splatter from bubbler cup there

Moose · 08-13-09, 11:58

Setup looks good to me. Patience is the hardest part! Just give it a few days and you should start seeing some pins. Salt in the pearlite's a good idea.

Moose

TVCasualty · 08-13-09, 12:01

I'd be careful using the air pump inside the terrarium. They aren't necessarily designed to operate in 100% humidity and will likely corrode faster and possibly short out at some point. If you add salt to the perlite water it would be a very efficient electrocution hazard indeed.

I haven't used perlite in a grow in years (cakes, trays, or bulk) since I hate the cleaning up and the dust and all that. Pack a bunch of cakes in a tub and cover it with a piece of window screen and a wet towel (use a white one) and you'll get great flushes and not have to fan. Just make sure the towel always stays moist and use one that's been freshly laundered with a bit of bleach.

Evenfall · 08-13-09, 12:29

You are probably correct Hip. The bubbler cup is in there just to experiment and is not a permenant item. I'll think I will remove it right now.

I don't care for the air pump if it were to break but I can do without the tingly sensations if it did short. ;-)

BuckarooBanzai · 08-13-09, 23:48

That air pump could easily start a fire if the little wobbly arm corrodes into place and there is still current flowing into the coils.

Perlite (by itself) contains no nutrients and is subsequently very unlikely to contaminate. I've got a tub that is pushing three years old hydrated by the same Perlite - no contam issues yet. I can't comment on Miracle Grow Perlite...

To cut the Perlite dust (nasty, dangerous stuff that dust - basically powdered glass) just pour a couple cups of water into the bag before pouring.

marmy · 08-14-09, 00:57

Also, I read a tek as a beginer newbie that used bleach mixed with the perlite to inhibit contams. I believe this tek is still on the boards here . Well, do not use bleach in your perlite, it causes your pins to abort.

BuckarooBanzai · 08-14-09, 00:59

Only if you use too much. I love a little bleach in my Perlite.

ishkaboo · 08-14-09, 01:11

If I suspect any contamination with my perlite, I simply put it in the oven at ~450 or so for bit, maybe a half hour to an hour, while I dunk the cakes overnight.

Salt water works great as well.

Irishlion · 08-14-09, 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckarooBanzai

Only if you use too much. I love a little bleach in my Perlite.

The problem I have noticed with using bleach in perlite is that the bleach tend to evap with the H2O and usually leads to rosecomb for me and and aborts and what not, this is ofcourse my expereince not saying thats it may be yours, but, thats why I perfer the salt as it stay behind and leaves a chemical free RH.

Evenfall · 08-14-09, 01:26

I like the salt method I learned here today. I've already added salt to the yet un-occupied side of the FC and will move the cakes to it tomorrow. I wasn't sure what a good amount was so I just added a handfull. I have over 200lbs of sea salt but that just might be over doing it. ;-)

The air pump and red cup were removed earlier today so no danger of a fire. I don't think the insurance company would cover lost cakes if there was a fire?!?!

There are two cakes in the second chamber of the FC. The first cake had 2 pins yesterday and has 7 pins today. Both cakes have several dozens knots that formed yesterday and today. I caught myself drooling while looking at them today. After good pins form how quickly can they turn into harvestable mushies if they don't abort?

Irishlion · 08-14-09, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evenfall

I like the salt method I learned here today. I've already added salt to the yet un-occupied side of the FC and will move the cakes to it tomorrow. I wasn't sure what a good amount was so I just added a handfull. I have over 200lbs of sea salt but that just might be over doing it. ;-)

The air pump and red cup were removed earlier today so no danger of a fire. I don't think the insurance company would cover lost cakes if there was a fire?!?!

There are two cakes in the second chamber of the FC. The first cake had 2 pins yesterday and has 7 pins today. Both cakes have several dozens knots that formed yesterday and today. I caught myself drooling while looking at them today. After good pins form how quickly can they turn into harvestable mushies if they don't abort?

about 3 to 6 days bro depending on strain, some strains will take longer some strains are shorter.

[Home]	[The Vaults]	[Glossary]	[Sponsors]	[Affiliates]
[Search]	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read	[Register]	[Activate]	[Resend Email]

08-13-09, 11:14	#1 (permalink)
Evenfall Spiritual Seeker Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 79	NEWBIE QUESTION: Can Perlite Contam? Newbie Question Follows: I know from first hand experience that an unsterilized brf jar can grow visable contams in less that 48 hours. I don't know why we aren't as worried about perlite growing contams though. I have nightmares every night with visions of my damp perlite layer in the FC being covered with Trich, Cobweb, Bread Mold or worse. Does perlite by nature prohibit contam growth? Do contams not take hold on perlite because their are no nutrients to feed on? What makes everyone unconcerned about their exposed & wet perlite? Someone please make me feel better so I can get a good nights sleep. Thanks for putting up with what I am sure must be a silly question.

08-13-09, 11:49	#4 (permalink)
Evenfall Spiritual Seeker Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 79	The prelite was dampened with RO water and about a 1/4 cup of H2O2. This is the first I have heard salt mentioned. I will definitly add some the next time I rehydrate the perlite. I created a platform for the cakes to site on made from plastic egg crate. I then place the DEC'd cakes on their jar lids on the egg crate. I used a bad of Miracle-Gro Perlite (only thing locally available) and it has some chuncks of brown-shit (maybe literally for all I know). I wish it was just plain white, it would make contams easier to spot. The perlite is damp but not too wet. I errored on the dry side figuring I can adjust based on the Hygrometer readings. Here's what it looks like. There is a lot of condensation on the glass because it was cool in the house this morning. That should clear up in another hour or two as the ambient temperature in the house rises. The cup and pump you see is a airstone is an experiment using air already in the fruiting chamber. With just the perlite humidity varies between 95%-100%. Ciruculating the already humid aid with the air stone since yesterday the humidity has been 99%-100%. I do three menual FAE a day with balloons filled with pure O. Do you see any problems with the current setup? Attached Thumbnails

08-13-09, 11:55	#5 (permalink)
Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 43,275	possible splatter from bubbler cup there __________________ visit dial-a-hippie .

08-13-09, 12:01	#7 (permalink)
TVCasualty Embrace Your Damage Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,803	I'd be careful using the air pump inside the terrarium. They aren't necessarily designed to operate in 100% humidity and will likely corrode faster and possibly short out at some point. If you add salt to the perlite water it would be a very efficient electrocution hazard indeed. I haven't used perlite in a grow in years (cakes, trays, or bulk) since I hate the cleaning up and the dust and all that. Pack a bunch of cakes in a tub and cover it with a piece of window screen and a wet towel (use a white one) and you'll get great flushes and not have to fan. Just make sure the towel always stays moist and use one that's been freshly laundered with a bit of bleach. __________________ First they ignore you; then they mock you; then they punish you; then you win. -Gandhi

08-13-09, 11:58	#6 (permalink)
Moose Big Game Shroomer Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 140	Setup looks good to me. Patience is the hardest part! Just give it a few days and you should start seeing some pins. Salt in the pearlite's a good idea. Moose

08-13-09, 12:29	#8 (permalink)
Evenfall Spiritual Seeker Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 79	You are probably correct Hip. The bubbler cup is in there just to experiment and is not a permenant item. I'll think I will remove it right now. I don't care for the air pump if it were to break but I can do without the tingly sensations if it did short. ;-)

08-13-09, 23:48	#9 (permalink)
BuckarooBanzai Prone to ranting... Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,050	That air pump could easily start a fire if the little wobbly arm corrodes into place and there is still current flowing into the coils. Perlite (by itself) contains no nutrients and is subsequently very unlikely to contaminate. I've got a tub that is pushing three years old hydrated by the same Perlite - no contam issues yet. I can't comment on Miracle Grow Perlite... To cut the Perlite dust (nasty, dangerous stuff that dust - basically powdered glass) just pour a couple cups of water into the bag before pouring. __________________ Banzai Institute for Higher Education (a collection of growing Teks & threads)

08-14-09, 00:57	#10 (permalink)
marmy riding the roller coaster Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 838	Also, I read a tek as a beginer newbie that used bleach mixed with the perlite to inhibit contams. I believe this tek is still on the boards here . Well, do not use bleach in your perlite, it causes your pins to abort. __________________ OK maybe not that old

08-14-09, 00:59	#11 (permalink)
BuckarooBanzai Prone to ranting... Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,050	Only if you use too much. I love a little bleach in my Perlite. __________________ Banzai Institute for Higher Education (a collection of growing Teks & threads)

08-14-09, 01:11	#12 (permalink)
ishkaboo Mycophage Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 813	If I suspect any contamination with my perlite, I simply put it in the oven at ~450 or so for bit, maybe a half hour to an hour, while I dunk the cakes overnight. Salt water works great as well. __________________ "Go then. There are other worlds than these"

08-14-09, 01:26	#14 (permalink)
Evenfall Spiritual Seeker Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 79	I like the salt method I learned here today. I've already added salt to the yet un-occupied side of the FC and will move the cakes to it tomorrow. I wasn't sure what a good amount was so I just added a handfull. I have over 200lbs of sea salt but that just might be over doing it. ;-) The air pump and red cup were removed earlier today so no danger of a fire. I don't think the insurance company would cover lost cakes if there was a fire?!?! There are two cakes in the second chamber of the FC. The first cake had 2 pins yesterday and has 7 pins today. Both cakes have several dozens knots that formed yesterday and today. I caught myself drooling while looking at them today. After good pins form how quickly can they turn into harvestable mushies if they don't abort?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode