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agar
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Registered: 11/21/04
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BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND
#3415668 - 11/27/04 11:50 AM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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If you have the privacy, room & means? Upright freezers can be converted about any way you want. You can find nonfunctional upright freezers at thrift stores, second hand stores & used appliance stores, appliance repair places, even slightly freight damaged brand new nonfunctional freezers at any major appliance store, for free, or very cheap. Depending on your ability, tools & available funds - you can install a remote thermometer, hydrometer (rh), heater, humidifier, Hepa filtered air exchange, lights, drain, lock, even a view port. If you alter two (2), one can be used as a spawn (jar or bag) & spawned substrate incubator. Then you can cycle units for continuous operations (incubate in one & fruit in the other).
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Edited by agar (11/27/04 12:08 PM)
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kronnyQ
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Registered: 07/22/04
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: agar]
#3415907 - 11/27/04 01:11 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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since when is a fridge cheap?
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madsickpenguin
newbie
Registered: 08/29/04
Posts: 234
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: kronnyQ]
#3415950 - 11/27/04 01:33 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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Since it broke
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MadHatR
journeyman
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: kronnyQ]
#3415955 - 11/27/04 01:34 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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A broken one is very cheap, if not free. Old file cabinets work well to, they can just be a pain to heat. Water-bed heating pads work well though since you can actually set a temp on them and they are designed to run 24/7.
-------------------- Never Judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes, because then you are a mile away and you have his shoes.
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agar
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Registered: 11/21/04
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: kronnyQ]
#3415958 - 11/27/04 01:34 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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NOT FRIDGE - FREEZER The differance is freezers have more rack space. As in no freezer & crisper drawers that Fridges do. NONFUNCTIONAL -> as in BROKEN - NOT WORTH REPAIR ARE JUNK, AS IN GARBAGE
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Edited by agar (11/27/04 01:47 PM)
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agar
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: MadHatR]
#3415995 - 11/27/04 01:46 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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File cabinets DO WORK WELL FOR JAR & BAG INCUBATION.
Altered freezers have a very air tight seal, are insulated, don't rust & are better suited as a fruiting chamber - because of that factor.
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KaptKid
Spaced Pirate
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: agar]
#3416001 - 11/27/04 01:48 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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agar, I been thinking about this a long time, only a refeg but a stand up freezer looks perfect for a incubator.What would be a good method to heat or cool? I will have to do both over the year.
-------------------- Child of the 60's, Tripping ever since.
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MushroomFriend
I smell a conspiracy!
Registered: 10/12/04
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: KaptKid]
#3416027 - 11/27/04 01:58 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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In the idea thread are some examples, one method of heating an old fridge as incubator is using water with thermometer. But then must make something that the heath is to the jars and the waterdamp is not. Funny that Agar comes with this I am just thinking of using an old fridge/freezer for incubating and bulk fruiting in the future. As a fruiter one doesnt need to heat it too much cause its so well isolated, with all the straw and poo in it I think it will be ok if the surrounding temps are between 65-70. Anyway nice too see this fridge-tek becoming more clear. Agar, how do you heat those filedrawers? EDIT: there are thermostates which can switch the electricity off as soon as a certain temperature is met, so an intact fridge can be used too cool as well. In my climate I dont need cooling though... :p
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Edited by MushroomFriend (11/27/04 02:00 PM)
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MadHatR
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: KaptKid]
#3416030 - 11/27/04 01:59 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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I love my file cabinet, but right now I can only use it for over flow of jars and bags that are getting close to finishing in my TiTs. Can't seem to get the temp like I like it using heating pads and insulation.
-------------------- Never Judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes, because then you are a mile away and you have his shoes.
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agar
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: KaptKid]
#3416145 - 11/27/04 02:40 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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Best heating method is any tiny (desktop type) ceramic heater, or a seedling plant heating mat. Use google to eyeball all sorts of them. I found both at thrift stores for under $3 each (frugal agar).
You can rig an external reostat dial to adjust temp from outside.
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MushroomFriend
I smell a conspiracy!
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: agar]
#3416168 - 11/27/04 02:45 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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Ah cool just those heating mats? I would like to have a dry incubator, my TIT isnt that. Can make a dry TIT ofcourse... Must buy new tubs then so am also looking @ other ways...
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agar
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: KaptKid]
#3416229 - 11/27/04 03:07 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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I assume next will ask about remote temp & RH gauges. Search google. There are hundreds of differing kinds that fit all budgets. Also look at HomeDepot, Lowes & such. For PEEP HOLE devices you can install, look HERE Most freezers already have a drain hole installed in the bottom (for defrost purposes). Remove compressor & add a broiling pan tray (or whatever fits) - underneath to catch RH drainage. For interior lighting, do whatever you want with small wattage - but be safe & make sure it is RH & water proof. Exterior xmass light bulbs - work, wired in one per rack. For filtered air exchange - use any SMALL cartridge hepa filter, with a small fish tank air pump (or whatever you can find - that works) & tubing from pump, to filter, to inside freezer. If your budget is TIGHT..... use 2 or 3 in/line automotive fuel cartridge filters about 6 inches apart (not as good as hepa - but darn near).
Edited by agar (11/27/04 04:00 PM)
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lesstutrey
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: agar]
#3416444 - 11/27/04 03:59 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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broken freezers may be slightly cheaper (i dunno) then a martha, but man, i don't want to lug a freezer into my apartment any time soon :P
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agar
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: lesstutrey]
#3416469 - 11/27/04 04:04 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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Use a dolly. No big deal, or effort. But, I hear what you are saying.
The differance from a Martha, is these are INSULATED, SECURE METAL CASED & CAN BE LOCKED SHUT.
Also, anyone seeing one, so long as it is locked - will think it is a freezer. Not true - with a Martha - in operation.
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MadHatR
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: agar]
#3416500 - 11/27/04 04:09 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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Or they will think you have a dead body in it.
-------------------- Never Judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes, because then you are a mile away and you have his shoes.
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lesstutrey
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: MadHatR]
#3416538 - 11/27/04 04:18 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Also, anyone seeing one, so long as it is locked - will think it is a freezer. Not true - with a Martha - in operation.
that is a good point.
how about this for a massive bulk fruit chamber though... a top loading freezer, with 6" deep substrate.. with a remote temp guage and RH guage you could get it cracking, also if you had a deep enough one, you could have two layers.. maybe less convient that a freezer, but it could be one massive flat cake of horse poo and straw
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discman1
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: lesstutrey]
#3417514 - 11/27/04 08:52 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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Oh no, now you've done it. It is, indeed, perfect. It would be so easy to keep the environment perfect. You could even keep it virtually sterile via HEPA filtration.... It would work great for both incubating and fruiting... I'm not sure how you could heat it. Hmm.. It would be cool to use TECs, but you'd have to be fairly handy to implement that. Maybe a very small space heater, like 200W? Is there such a thing? If not... you could probably use fishtank heaters. Heat a tub of water... It shouldn't be too hard to regulate the temperature in such a small space, especially since it's already insulated. Could put a fishtank heater into the coolmist's reservoir..
Edited by discman1 (11/27/04 08:58 PM)
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agar
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: discman1]
#3417554 - 11/27/04 09:12 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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You heat it with a tiny desktop electric ceramic heater, or seedling plant heating mat inside, wired to a rheostat outside. There will be a tek with photos shortly. Just getting it together.........
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hyphae
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: agar]
#3417578 - 11/27/04 09:21 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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These freezers take very little to heat and the old pickle jar heaters do work plenty fine and is also one of the first ways used back in the day.
-------------------- Getting the most out of your casings!, A pinning strategy. Oyster Shell "Flour" $2 for 1lb. a hell of a deal Not what is overlay but rather what overlay is Gas Exchange vs. FAE "We all have priorities. I used a closet once setup a nice little lab trouble was all the shit that was in there ended up in the bedroom that pissed off the GF then I ended up dumping her as she was getting in the way of my sterile culture technique! Ya I got priorities too!!!"
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agar
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Re: BEST CHEAP BULK INCUBATOR &/or GROW CHAMBER AROUND [Re: hyphae]
#3418781 - 11/28/04 07:42 AM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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LOL?? I'm finding out, a freezer is so well insulated, you don?t even need to go that far. You can simply triple wrap a long lasting low wattage exterior type light bulb with heavy duty tin foil (on the inside of the freezer), then wire it to a dial type rheostat (dimmer) switch (on the outside of the freezer). That gives you very precise dial type control of the interior temp, at your finger tips. If you look around, you can find small in-line hepa grade filters, that you can use flexable tubing to get filtered air into the unit. They are out there, you just have to look, diligently. Millipore 0.22 micron in-line medical filter
Edited by agar (11/28/04 08:27 AM)
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