Home | Community | Message Board


This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Myyco.com Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale   Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder   Bridgetown Botanicals CBD Concentrates   North Spore Bulk Substrate   Left Coast Kratom Buy Kratom Extract   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   OlympusMyco.com Olympus Myco Bulk Substrate   Mushroom-Hut Mono Tub Substrate   MagicBag.co All-In-One Bags That Don't Suck

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
Invisiblemyco.alchemist
been there ~ done that

Registered: 03/27/10
Posts: 705
Loc: Flag
Trusted Cultivator
The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right * 4
    #12507354 - 05/04/10 08:26 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

Psilocybe cubensis DO NOT require a “casing” cover.
They will fruit fine without one.

However, adding a casing mixture, leads to more & longer term  productivity.

Here is why, mushrooms are 98% moisture.
Pinning, fruiting & prolonged productivity depend on adequate moisture availability.

An optimal bulk substrate contains around 70%  moisture.
An optimal “casing” mixture contains around 75% moisture.
A casing cover provides that much more readily available moisture.

A casing cover provides an optimal micro-climate to promote pinning.
It also serves as a contaminant defensive shield covering the “nutrient” rich substrate.
The combined effects of a casing cover will promote more flushes over a longer term.

Getting a CASING MIX RIGHT the first time

Requires a good quality pH meter….. Period.

You can use pH strips, but they are a PITA.


Kelway pH & moisture meter

Below is a hell of a good knock off of a Kelway pH & moisture meter.
(about ¼ of the Kelway price)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Soil-pH-Moisture-Tester-Meter-295mm-Long-Electrode-AP-/230462489215?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a8a2827f

It is also a moisture meter, which takes the guess work out of getting a bulk substrate or casing mix moisture content right.

You will also need some HYDRATED LIME.


A bag like this will last you a lifetime

To use, fill a water pitcher ½ or ¾ full of water.
Add 2 heaping tablespoons of HYDRATED LIME to the pitcher & stir in well.
Then, use that to almost instantly adjust the casing mix pH.

You will also some VERMICULITE.



My basic casing mix recipe roughly is:
(by rough I mean approximate, this is not rocket science or brain surgery)

6 parts peat
4 parts vermiculite
0.5  to 1 part coir
(adding coir will insure the mycelium will grow through the casing mix)

You can also add some Perlite for texture, if you wish.


You can also add a little gypsum powder, if you wish.

PH adjusted, how do you do that?

Many add oyster shell flour.
Reality is, it is to chunky to do you any good.
The life of a bulk tray is to short for it to dissolve.

Instead, I add food and beverage grade calcium carbonate.
This type calcium carbonate is fool proof.
The individual particle size is about 3.5 micron.
It is small enough, it will slowly dissolve & maintain a good pH range over the life of the tray.



There is no magic number on the amount you add.
So long as you add enough it is evenly & homogenously dispersed throughout the casing mix.

I add about 2 or 3% calcium carbonate by volume.
Sprinkle in a little, mix, repeat, sprinkle in, mix, repeat several times.

You can buy this type calcium carbonate at any beer & wine making supply place.
They often charge by the ounce or pound at a significant mark up.
I just had the local brew store order me a 50 lb bag.

I mix casing in a BAG, as that makes less of a mess & is easy to store.

Add peat
Add verm.
Add calcium carbonate powder.
Mix it all together very thoroughly

Fill a water pitcher ½ or ¾ full of water.
Add 2 heaping tablespoons of HYDRATED LIME to the pitcher & stir in well.

Add some plain water to the bag, enough the mixture is about ½ way (50%) hydrated.
Then, add a little hydrated lime solution & mix, then test pH.

YOU WANT THE PH at 7.5 to 8.

Test, add, test mix add, test mix add until you get it right.

Once the mixture is in that range.

I test the MOISTURE CONTENT.
You want the moisture content in the 73 to 76 range.

Adjust both the moisture content & pH so they are BOTH in the proper range.
By adding either plain water and/or hydrated lime solution to get it there.

You can store the hydrated lime water solution in a plastic bottle for re-use, but be sure to label what it is.
A hydrated lime solution is NOT something you want to get on bare skin, or in your eyes.
So, be CAREFULL WITH IT.

Once its PERFECT (moisture content 75% +/- a point or 2 & pH 7.5 to 8).

I seal the bag tight with a rubber band, with a probe type thermometer inserted in the bag neck.





Then place the bag in my preheated PC.
(with a little extra water in the PC, as some will steam off)
Add the lid, but not locked in place.

On low / medium heat, I get the internal bag content temperature to 145 to 155F.
Then, let it simmer in that range for a minimum of 2 hours.

Or, tighten the PC lid, bring the heat up high enough the pressure needle just budges.
Turn off the heat, let it cool an hour, or so, then repeat again, then let it cool overnight.
The object is to kill potential pathogens, but not all microbial activity.

Always allow the bag to cool overnight.
A bag will store well for several weeks.
If stored longer, re-pasteurize before use.

There have been a few times, I needed casing mix ASAP.
In that case, I simply nuked a new bag until almost to hot to handle several times, turning between cycles.
While that may not be optimal, it worked as well as pasteurization for me(lot quicker to). Your milage may vary.










Sparse 5th flush, but still uncontaminated.

EDIT TO ADD:

If you are looking for BIG bags of Verm or Perlite @ a killer price.

http://www.thermorock.com/

Thermorocks email addess is on the links CONTACT page.
Email them & ask if they have a dealer near you.
Great products & price. I buy the 6 cubic ft bags.


--------------------
CASING = GETTING IT RIGHT

Edited by myco.alchemist (05/05/10 04:43 AM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinersinatra13
ⓅⓈⓘⓛⓞⒸⓨⓑⓘⓃ
 User Gallery

Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 1,738
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: myco.alchemist]
    #12507383 - 05/04/10 08:30 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

thanks for this, very useful
casings have always helped my pinset


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleCH HELL
Brain Sturgeon
Male User Gallery

Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 6,610
Loc: mars Flag
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: rsinatra13]
    #12507463 - 05/04/10 08:46 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

myco.alchemist= Hyphae;)

Edited by CH HELL (05/04/10 08:48 PM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflinePfffffff
I am sofa king we todd ed

Registered: 10/02/09
Posts: 486
Loc: Somewhere that is fiction...
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: rsinatra13]
    #12507484 - 05/04/10 08:47 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

Casing is not required, but if you live in a climate that is dry a lot (i.e. the entire southwest), or can't be around to mist 3,700 times a day it will make ALL the difference in the world!


--------------------
****************************************************
I am part of this community as a role playing
character.  All information is gathered on the
internet.  In no way, shape, or form is any of what
I say truthful or real life experience.  Any advice
given or received is purely for entertainment value
and not intended for any kind of illegal activity.
****************************************************

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineTheBandit
Infidel
Male

Registered: 03/03/08
Posts: 1,655
Last seen: 13 years, 8 months
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: Pfffffff]
    #12507743 - 05/04/10 09:30 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

outSTANDING post.

thank you very much for this!

:homerdrool:


--------------------




[quote]RogerRabbit said:
Ah, that explains it.  Typical know-it-all noob.  We get a few thousand just like you register here every year.  They try a few grows, fail miserably and then after a few months or one bad trip, go back to sniffing glue, never to be seen again.

We have a basic pf tek that's idiot proof enough for noobs to get fucked up with their friends. 

Mycologists on the other hand grow for the love of growing.  They want to experiment with various species, substrates, and fruiting environments. They'll move on to isolate strains, attempt hybridization, and in general treat cultivation as an artform, rather than a chore that must be performed as a means to an end.  They'll work twice as hard for a ten percent gain, just for the love of perfection.  These are the ones who will isolate strains, not the dumb fucks who treat mushrooms as a drug, or even worse, a pathogen, as if mushrooms cause disease.
RR [/quote]

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineOzzy_shroomer
Mystery Machine
Male User Gallery


Registered: 02/10/08
Posts: 911
Loc: Summer All Year
Last seen: 6 years, 10 days
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: TheBandit]
    #12507833 - 05/04/10 09:44 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

Nice tek


--------------------

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisible13shroomsM
Lightning Shaman
I'm a teapot User Gallery


Registered: 01/01/09
Posts: 26,719
Loc: IN ETHERS TORSION FIELD
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: CH HELL]
    #12508064 - 05/04/10 10:25 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

CH HELL said:
myco.alchemist= Hyphae;)




:crazybeard:
that explains alot. :grin:

Quote:

(adding coir will insure the mycelium will grow through the casing mix)




I thought the casing layer wasnt supposed to get colonized cuz if it colonized the myc fills the gaps where your pins should be forming thus ruining your micro-climate to aid in pin development. :shrug:

not that Im arguing with your results I just hear also NOT to add more food/substrate (coir) to casings either cuz it will just take longer to colonize the added substrate you mixed with the casing?. :mushroom2:

Quote:

It also serves as a contaminant defensive shield covering the “nutrient” rich substrate.





if you put coir in the casing then arent you making it nutrient rich also thus countering your "contaminant defenses?"  :strokebeard:

Im not trying to pick the tek apart, its very informative, I just dont get the discrepancies....:stoned:

:thanx:

<--- that is beautiful by the way. :mushroom2::mushroom2::mushroom2::mushroom2::mushroom2:


--------------------
:takingnotes:A M U:helpdesk:
Click here ^ for the AMU forum
VVV AMUs Free Active/Edible/Exotic Spore Print or Syringe or Edible Culture Trade Thread VVV
"Man is the sex organ of the machine world" ~  Marshall McLuhan

Edited by 13shrooms (05/04/10 10:39 PM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinetajmahal420
Stranger than some....

Registered: 05/23/09
Posts: 533
Last seen: 1 year, 9 months
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: Ozzy_shroomer]
    #12508073 - 05/04/10 10:26 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

:thumbup:
Bookmarked.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleTacoHerder
Bluedavenger
Male User Gallery


Registered: 06/10/09
Posts: 10,107
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: 13shrooms]
    #12508262 - 05/04/10 11:00 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

13shrooms said:
Quote:

CH HELL said:
myco.alchemist= Hyphae;)




:crazybeard:
that explains alot. :grin:

Quote:

(adding coir will insure the mycelium will grow through the casing mix)




I thought the casing layer wasnt supposed to get colonized cuz if it colonized the myc fills the gaps where your pins should be forming thus ruining your micro-climate to aid in pin development. :shrug:

not that Im arguing with your results I just hear also NOT to add more food/substrate (coir) to casings either cuz it will just take longer to colonize the added substrate you mixed with the casing?. :mushroom2:

Quote:

It also serves as a contaminant defensive shield covering the “nutrient” rich substrate.





if you put coir in the casing then arent you making it nutrient rich also thus countering your "contaminant defenses?"  :strokebeard:

Im not trying to pick the tek apart, its very informative, I just dont get the discrepancies....:stoned:

:thanx:

<--- that is beautiful by the way. :mushroom2::mushroom2::mushroom2::mushroom2::mushroom2:





good questions. every TC i have learned from said coir is bad in a casing and your casing should only colonize just a little, 10-20% then place it in fc. overlay can accur from adding coir to the casing if im not mistaken.


--------------------
TO ALL CULTIVATORS, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/10899385
We need more member like mycochef, he is truly a kind giving person. Just ask Noobie, mycochef hooked him up big time!
Fastest Cultivation WINNER!!!! NoOneKnowsHowToAct won it twice, must be doing something right:super:

Shoot me a pm if you would like a powerful custom laser built. :smile: 4th pic is a 1.3W 445nm laser burning thru some plastic makeup containers. Yes I was wearing proper safety goggles, otherwise I would be blind right now.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblemyco.alchemist
been there ~ done that

Registered: 03/27/10
Posts: 705
Loc: Flag
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: 13shrooms]
    #12508312 - 05/04/10 11:11 PM (14 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

13shrooms said:
Quote:

CH HELL said:
myco.alchemist= Hyphae;)




:crazybeard:
that explains alot. :grin:

Quote:

(adding coir will insure the mycelium will grow through the casing mix)




I thought the casing layer wasnt supposed to get colonized cuz if it colonized the myc fills the gaps where your pins should be forming thus ruining your micro-climate to aid in pin development. :shrug:

not that Im arguing with your results I just hear also NOT to add more food/substrate (coir) to casings either cuz it will just take longer to colonize the added substrate you mixed with the casing?. :mushroom2:

Quote:

It also serves as a contaminant defensive shield covering the “nutrient” rich substrate.





if you put coir in the casing then arent you making it nutrient rich also thus countering your "contaminant defenses?"  :strokebeard:

Im not trying to pick the tek apart, its very informative, I just dont get the discrepancies....:stoned:

:thanx:




Myco.alchemist = Hyphae-----not :rolleyes:

A Bulk substrate is usually weather aged rain leached horse manure + 20 or more percent grain spawn.
Combined, it contains a LOT of nutrients, especially the grain spawn.

Coir alone does NOT contain that many or those types of nutrients in mass.
A peat/verm mixture with a slight amount of coir contains NO grain spawn.
Exposed grain spawn is a contamination magnet.

Sometimes, for whatever reason mycelium will not colonize a peat/verm casing mix.
Adding a slight amount of coir resolves that possibility.

The trade off is well worth the possibility that no or poor pinning will take place.
There is only a slight amount of coir in the casing mix.
The remainder (peat/verm/perlite) has no or nominal nutrient value.

The shield is not PERFECT.
But, 95% better than exposing a uncased colonized substrate to open air exchange.
Contamination always happens over time with fresh air exchange.

This casing mix usually allows maximum flushes, without contamination (repeat - usually) .
You can tell when the substrate is SPENT, simply by shrinkage & it no longer produces worthwhile flushes.

After harvesting a flush, you add another very thin casing layer over the whole surface.
That replaces the microclimate, with each flush.

Sometimes, pins will grow & protrude through the additional layer, from below it.
Other times, myc will partially colonize the added thin layer & pin again.
Either way works.

A casing cover also helps prevent overlay of a bulk substrate.
A casing layer makes direct misting, or watering possible.
Misting or watering a colonized uncased bulk substrate usually results in the moisture running off.
Rather than being absorbed into a casing layer, for distribution, on demand.

This is just my $0.02 cents.
Nothing is perfect.
I would prefer leaving the coir out.
But, for some reason, sometimes myc (some strains) just revolts, when it hits a peat casing.
Then refuses to pin worth beans.
Adding a SLIGHT amount of coir resolved that issue for me.

If you prefer, leave the coir out.
It is by no means necessary or manditory to add it.
90% of the time, it works perfectly without it.
I just prefer not to have 10% go south
      :strokebeard:

Edited by myco.alchemist (05/05/10 01:05 AM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinetajmahal420
Stranger than some....

Registered: 05/23/09
Posts: 533
Last seen: 1 year, 9 months
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: Ozzy_shroomer]
    #12508654 - 05/05/10 12:37 AM (14 years, 1 month ago)

:thumbup:
Bookmarked.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinescatmanrav
Brainy Smurf


Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 11,483
Loc: Flag
Last seen: 11 years, 5 months
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: tajmahal420]
    #12514872 - 05/06/10 01:56 AM (14 years, 1 month ago)

I used to use a coir/verm casing..many of us did. Its pretty contamination resistant. It works as a casing. Not that well by itself.

I've been putting coir in my casing mix for years though..in my link in my signature on how I do casings..it follows my coir casing mix..but at the end I mention I use coir in my peat casings. Not all other TC's recommend against it :smile:

Half colonized casings give the best microclimate and pinsets.



Thanks myco, I know I learned from that post.


--------------------
"life is like a drop of rain getting closer and closer to falling into a lake, and then when you hit the lake there is no more rain drop, only the lake."

Growing with bags, start to finish (including my new grain and substrate prep)
Anyone looking to start bulk tubs/mono tubs/shotgun hybrids? Good tubs to use..
How I do grain (old still good tips)
Turn your closet into a fruiting chamber
Casing layer colonization and overlay

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineFahkface
Over-Fiend
Male User Gallery


Registered: 12/11/06
Posts: 4,821
Loc: In your Mind, Pedro! In y...
Last seen: 13 years, 8 months
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: scatmanrav]
    #12514911 - 05/06/10 02:07 AM (14 years, 1 month ago)

Quote:

Not all other TC's recommend against it :smile:




Indeed! I regularly use about 10% coir with my casing mixes.

Some folks, such as Shea25 have good results with completely uncolonized casing layers.

Me, as well as many others get much better results with partially colonized casing layers. Don't know why. It just is like that:shrug:.

However, I don't really stick with this statement Myco:wink:

Quote:

It also serves as a contaminant defensive shield covering the “nutrient” rich substrate.




A completely and well colonized substrate is more than capable of "protecting" itself from molds.

Actually the only times I ever get mold on a completely colonized Cube substrate is, when it's vintage and has several flushes behind it. And it's the same with cased or uncased trays.

My very personal experience with casings for Cubes is that it isn't necessary for the first flush.
It has shown to be beneficial for later flushes, after a good wash of the substrates surface, though.

I guess it somewhat depends on what you like.
Personally I through out the substrates after the second flush (simply because of a lack of space), since the outcome in general isn't very good after the second flush. Therefore I spare on any kinds of casing layers for Cubes. It doesn't make much sense for my purposes:shrug:

The pictorial is A+ anyway:thumbup:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblemyco.alchemist
been there ~ done that

Registered: 03/27/10
Posts: 705
Loc: Flag
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: Fahkface]
    #12515015 - 05/06/10 02:38 AM (14 years, 1 month ago)

I think a lot, has to do with how cleanly you harvest.
If they come out by the roots.:thumbup:
Or, if the tear off at the surface.:thumbdown:
Most often, if a torn chunk is exposed, then begins to rot.
At least in my experiance, thats where contam's take hold & thrives.

I have gone as far as 5 flushes. But, thats the limit for me.
Usualy 3 & out they go.

As far as adding a little coir to a casing mix.
Whatever floats anyones boat, so long as it floats.
There is no utter absolute in the game.

I have seen killer grows in places so dirty they made me cringe.
As well as seem grows go south in near clean room conditions.

Some could do a good grow living in a funky tent.
Others with $50 thousand in EQT couldn't grow squat.
Thats how it goes.


--------------------
CASING = GETTING IT RIGHT

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleSci-Fi
OG
Male User Gallery

Registered: 02/28/10
Posts: 1,232
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: CH HELL]
    #12674976 - 06/02/10 09:10 PM (14 years, 30 days ago)

Quote:

CH HELL said:
myco.alchemist= Hyphae;)




:yesnod:

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinescatmanrav
Brainy Smurf


Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 11,483
Loc: Flag
Last seen: 11 years, 5 months
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: Sci-Fi]
    #12676131 - 06/03/10 12:21 AM (14 years, 30 days ago)

Ridiculous, hes nothing like Hyphae (who I know pretty well) :shrug:

I finally got a new Kelway meter, so I can do my casing mix right :smile:


--------------------
"life is like a drop of rain getting closer and closer to falling into a lake, and then when you hit the lake there is no more rain drop, only the lake."

Growing with bags, start to finish (including my new grain and substrate prep)
Anyone looking to start bulk tubs/mono tubs/shotgun hybrids? Good tubs to use..
How I do grain (old still good tips)
Turn your closet into a fruiting chamber
Casing layer colonization and overlay

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblefastfred
Old Hand
Male User Gallery

Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 6,899
Loc: Dark side of the moon
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: scatmanrav]
    #12677702 - 06/03/10 09:54 AM (14 years, 29 days ago)

Straight verm beats 50/50 IME.  No pHing required.

I wouldn't trust those silly soil meters as far as I could throw them.  They're slightly less accurate than sticking your finger into the mix.  LOL


-FF

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblemyco.alchemist
been there ~ done that

Registered: 03/27/10
Posts: 705
Loc: Flag
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: fastfred]
    #12678846 - 06/03/10 01:46 PM (14 years, 29 days ago)

Quote:

fastfred said:I wouldn't trust those silly soil meters as far as I could throw them.  They're slightly less accurate than sticking your finger into the mix.  LOL -FF





True, if you are talking about the $5.95  ones at WalMart.

In the case of Kelway, they are  precision scientific instrument.
Their degree of accuracy is as good as the speedometer in a new car.

Kelway’s are trusted worldwide by giants in agriculture, silviculture, ranchers, farmers, vineyards , gardeners & landscapers worldwide.
  Meaning, every year tens of billions of dollars of crops are entrusted to their accuracy.

You might ponder the best mycologists in the world, and all the commercial mushroom growing operations.
As well as the best collages that teach mycology like Penn State.
As well as the big commercial compost producers use them, because they have been proven to be very accurate from decades of use.

But, you are entitled to your opinion, just as I am mine.:shrug:


--------------------
CASING = GETTING IT RIGHT

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblefastfred
Old Hand
Male User Gallery

Folding@home Statistics
Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 6,899
Loc: Dark side of the moon
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: myco.alchemist]
    #12679005 - 06/03/10 02:12 PM (14 years, 29 days ago)

> In the case of Kelway, they are  precision scientific instrument.

I don't know about the Kelway, but all the cheapies I've seen are trying to measure moisture and pH by means of the electrical conduction between the shaft and the tip.  That simply isn't a reliable way to measure pH.  It might be somewhat accurate for moisture, but you just aren't going to get accurate pH measurements that way.

Even the best lab-grade pH meters aren't very accurate without regular calibration, and they use a sophisticated glass junction system.  I have three of the fuckers, and between electrode replacement, calibrations, etc. I use paper pH strips 95% of the time.  The only real thing they're good for is continuous monitoring of a titration or rxn.

Quote:

The Kelway tester operates on the principle of electrical potential between two dissimilar metal plates - without batteries or any external power source.




I just don't have much knowledge of this method of pH testing, but trying to get a real pH value by inferring from such a simple measurement just doesn't sound all that accurate to me.  The one I've used gave more or less random readings that would change constantly.  Corrosion of the metal and a million other factors could easily throw it off and you have no real way to calibrate or check it.

The whole idea of measuring pH in a solid is rather questionable to begin with.  pH = -log [H+] in water.

> But, you are entitled to your opinion, just as I am mine.

I'd love to hear more about the accuracy and repeatability of the Kelway.  How you calibrate and check it, etc..

For now I'll just stick to my pH strips.  They're cheap and easy to use and I know they're accurate and repeatable, no calibration necessary, nothing to degrade.

Since I can get a shit ton of strips for the price of a cheap meter they just make sense to me.  By the time I went through all the strips I'd have to replace the electrode and would have spend no small amount on calibration solutions already.


-FF

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblemyco.alchemist
been there ~ done that

Registered: 03/27/10
Posts: 705
Loc: Flag
Trusted Cultivator
Re: The casing mix conundrum & how to do it right [Re: fastfred]
    #12680056 - 06/03/10 05:24 PM (14 years, 29 days ago)

I have tested mine against ph strips & its been right on the money for over a decade. Easy & quick to use. At least to me strips are a PITA.
Measures moisture content FAR better than I can by hand.


--------------------
CASING = GETTING IT RIGHT

Edited by myco.alchemist (06/03/10 05:31 PM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1 | 2 | Next >  [ show all ]

Shop: Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Myyco.com Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale   Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder   Bridgetown Botanicals CBD Concentrates   North Spore Bulk Substrate   Left Coast Kratom Buy Kratom Extract   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   OlympusMyco.com Olympus Myco Bulk Substrate   Mushroom-Hut Mono Tub Substrate   MagicBag.co All-In-One Bags That Don't Suck


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* Casing Mix: Will it work? AreA 796 1 04/22/02 02:17 AM
by Joshua
* I Dyed My CASING MIX staindblue 1,027 5 05/16/02 01:53 AM
by bluelou
* How crucial is Oyster Shell in 50/50 casing mix?? Mklangelo 2,463 4 11/15/01 02:11 PM
by High_Beemz
* what is your favorite coir casing mix??? BashoPoem 1,661 2 03/24/02 07:09 PM
by BashoPoem
* Your favorite casing mix?
( 1 2 all )
Agarico 2,329 20 09/24/02 07:49 PM
by Bullfrog1
* Casing Mix Hammerloaf 1,012 2 11/28/01 07:27 PM
by DaBeerLover
* Storing Sterilized Casing Mix babyshroom 2,051 9 03/20/02 06:06 AM
by babyshroom
* Being Sterile while patching? My casing mix, good? Northernsoul 642 1 02/16/02 12:10 AM
by Anno

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: Shroomism, george castanza, RogerRabbit, veggie, mushboy, fahtster, LogicaL Chaos, 13shrooms, cronicr, Stipe-n Cap, Pastywhyte, bodhisatta, Tormato, Land Trout, A.k.a
11,116 topic views. 12 members, 54 guests and 168 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.023 seconds spending 0.005 seconds on 16 queries.