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 FrankHorrigan
The Inquisition
Registered: 01/04/11
Posts: 10,573
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 How to dial in your monotubs like a boss  55
#17332777 - 12/04/12 01:25 PM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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2022: I still do exactly this
This is part of my series on how I get things done. I hope it helps!
I notice a lot of folks never fully dial in their monotubs. This is a pretty simple process. A dialed in monotub does not need to be misted or fanned on the first flush.
Micropore tape is a poor substitute for polyfill because it gets wet and saturated, does not hold RH well and can't be adjusted to control airflow.
SFDs are for gas exchange (GE) for grain jars and other sterile media. They do not provide good FAE at all and are expensive, save them for your jars and toss the micropore tape for those too, it is a terrible filter 
When your substrate is fully colonized, it is time to fruit. Some people prefer to wait for a few pins or use a casing layer like I do.
If you are using a casing layer, apply it at 100% colonization of the substrate and continue colonizing until 25% colonized. Then proceed.
The key to a successful mono is passive FAE. You want to start by stuffing your polyfill properly. Polyfill is used because you it provides great RH rentention and FAE when it is set up properly.
For the bottom holes on your mono, it's simple: you'll want to stuff them very tightly to keep fresh air flowing in the top and out the bottom. Citric, a trusted cultivator from shroomery, suggested this most excellent idea.
For the top holes, you want very loose polyfill.
Here's a quick tutorial on how I make perfect little puffballs for the top holes of my monos (see pictures above) It allows for good FAE and retains tons of humidity:
Spread a puffball flat on your palm, about a half inch thick at most.
Fold it in half.
Gently roll into a ball that is a bit larger than the hole itself. Use little or no pressure when rolling the ball between your hands. Should end up looking like this:
 
Gently insert it into the tub, don't stuff it in or anything, just push it through so it's almost falling out.
You will want to run a fan in the room. make sure it is stationary and facing near but not directly at the monotub(s). You do not want to feel any direct wind from the fan itself blowing on your tub(s). 
Run the fan on low or medium. A good indicator of good FAE is a line of evaporation running down one or both sides of the tub from the top holes. This is because FAE, RH, and temperature are all tied together closely in a monotub.
 
This should give you a great first flush in your monotubs
Here's a few examples of my own personal monotubs I've fruited using this method, these are just coir/verm and gypsum:
   
   
   
   
Edited by FrankHorrigan (03/30/22 02:34 PM)
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 El Mescalero
Stranger
Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 37
Last seen: 10 years, 13 days
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 Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: FrankHorrigan]
#17381943 - 12/12/12 07:06 PM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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So what you are showing is how to loosely fill the top holes, right, since you said to stuff the bottom holes tightly and the top holes loosely to keep fresh air flowing in the top and out the bottom?
My questions are how do you pack the bottom holes tightly, and what size are your holes?
I'm reading everything I can right now since my grain jars are colonized and I'm ready to start my first monotub. Lots of differing opinions. Just thought I'd find someone with some experience and do it that way rather than mix and match.
Thanks.
Edited by El Mescalero (12/12/12 07:16 PM)
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silos
Stranger
Registered: 09/21/12
Posts: 124
Loc: midwest
Last seen: 9 years, 10 months
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: El Mescalero]
#17383467 - 12/12/12 11:19 PM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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yeah, same position, i t sounds super easy but i end up with the polyfill not actually covering the whole whole, its like to thick, but has an opening not blocking anything. i'm an idiot!!! teach us frank!! 
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b plus
Registered: 10/13/12
Posts: 928
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: silos]
#17383613 - 12/12/12 11:54 PM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Wow, very convenient time to post. I'm colonizing my first mono right now and have the loosest polyfill puff balls you could possibly make stuffed in the bottom holes. I'll be re-stuffing with dense polyfill puff balls tomorrow. Thank you
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ps118
Stranger
Registered: 10/05/12
Posts: 210
Last seen: 7 years, 7 months
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: b plus] 1
#17383693 - 12/13/12 12:15 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
b plus said:
Wow, very convenient time to post. I'm colonizing my first mono right now and have the loosest polyfill puff balls you could possibly make stuffed in the bottom holes. I'll be re-stuffing with dense polyfill puff balls tomorrow. Thank you
If it is colonizing, you should NOT have polyfill, holes should be taped until full colonization.
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b plus
Registered: 10/13/12
Posts: 928
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: ps118]
#17383756 - 12/13/12 12:32 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
ps118 said:
If it is colonizing, you should NOT have polyfill, holes should be taped until full colonization.
I have a trashbag rapped around the enitire monotub? The tek I followed: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8231041#8231041
Which I'd like to point out is a very popular tek with a high success rate- Does not say anything about tape, or even a trashbag. OP just suggested that you "toss a blanket" over them while colonizing.
So why tape? I've taken it upon myself to rap a trashbag around the monotub to increase CO2 because many people recommend doing so, but if I were to tape holes, FAE would still occur at the seal of the lid and the container whereas a tied off trashbag contains the CO2 completely.
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ps118
Stranger
Registered: 10/05/12
Posts: 210
Last seen: 7 years, 7 months
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: b plus]
#17383793 - 12/13/12 12:47 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
b plus said:
Quote:
ps118 said:
If it is colonizing, you should NOT have polyfill, holes should be taped until full colonization.
I have a trashbag rapped around the enitire monotub? The tek I followed: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8231041#8231041
Which I'd like to point out is a very popular tek with a high success rate- Does not say anything about tape, or even a trashbag. OP just suggested that you "toss a blanket" over them while colonizing.
So why tape? I've taken it upon myself to rap a trashbag around the monotub to increase CO2 because many people recommend doing so, but if I were to tape holes, FAE would still occur at the seal of the lid and the container whereas a tied off trashbag contains the CO2 completely.
If it is wrapped in a trashbag, that's one thing (which I don't do because I like to give my tubs light.) But polyfill in the open air gives way too much FAE, you want high CO2 during colonization. Any GE can be handled by the lid during colonization, as you pointed out.
If you're in a trash bag, you probably don't even need poly in the holes whatsoever but it couldn't hurt I suppose.
Edited by ps118 (12/13/12 12:49 AM)
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PussyFart
Retired Cultivation Extrodinaire
Registered: 04/08/12
Posts: 22,502
Loc: Orbiting Earth
Last seen: 28 days, 16 hours
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: b plus] 3
#17384591 - 12/13/12 08:34 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
b plus said:
So why tape? I've taken it upon myself to rap a trashbag around the monotub to increase CO2 because many people recommend doing so, but if I were to tape holes, FAE would still occur at the seal of the lid and the container whereas a tied off trashbag contains the CO2 completely.
Wrong, the imperfect lid will provide the needed amount of GE(Gas Exchange), but should not allow for FAE(Fresh Air Exchange).
People used to think light was the reason you get side pins, but thats not the case, light is not a main pinning trigger.
People tape up the holes for colonization, so the CO2 levels are high, and then pack the holes with polyfill for fruiting, for FAE.
A trash bag can get puntured, which makes taping the holes worth it when wrapping the tub with a bag.
And you do not need to cover them with a blanket for colonization, light is beneficial to the growth of mycellium during all stages.
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THIS HOBBY IS NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT! PLEASE BE PATIENT, DON'T BE A PATIENT!
A Tale of 10 Isolates, GT Cluster Clone Monotubs, RR's Let's Grow Mushrooms DVD,
SGFC(Shotgun Fruiting Chamber), Monotub Tek, Damion5050's Coir Tek, TL's Tek List, Frank's Tek List,
EvilMushroom666's Pasteurization Tek, How It Should & Shouldn't Look - NEW CULTIVATORS GUIDE
 *** *** AFGHAN KUSH GROW LOG *** ***
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stonesun
Sclerotia Aficionado
Registered: 05/22/09
Posts: 5,444
Loc: 64º08'00"N 21º56'00"W
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: ps118]
#17384650 - 12/13/12 08:55 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
ps118 said:
If it is colonizing, you should NOT have polyfill, holes should be taped until full colonization.
There are many ways to milk a cat.
For colonization I have the lower holes taped and the upper holes stuffed tightly
with polyfill.
For fruiting the lower holes got somewhat tight (split up one ball from the upper hole and
stuff two lower holes with them) and the upper holes stay uncovered.
Works great in my environment.
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PussyFart
Retired Cultivation Extrodinaire
Registered: 04/08/12
Posts: 22,502
Loc: Orbiting Earth
Last seen: 28 days, 16 hours
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: stonesun]
#17384661 - 12/13/12 08:59 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
stonesun said:
For colonization I have the lower holes taped and the upper holes stuffed tightly
with polyfill.
Why tho? If the imperfect lid provides enough GE for everyone else, why would u use polyfill in the top holes for colonization?
I realize that if it's stuffed tight it shouldn't matter, but I just want your opinion on this.
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THIS HOBBY IS NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT! PLEASE BE PATIENT, DON'T BE A PATIENT!
A Tale of 10 Isolates, GT Cluster Clone Monotubs, RR's Let's Grow Mushrooms DVD,
SGFC(Shotgun Fruiting Chamber), Monotub Tek, Damion5050's Coir Tek, TL's Tek List, Frank's Tek List,
EvilMushroom666's Pasteurization Tek, How It Should & Shouldn't Look - NEW CULTIVATORS GUIDE
*** *** AFGHAN KUSH GROW LOG *** ***
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stonesun
Sclerotia Aficionado
Registered: 05/22/09
Posts: 5,444
Loc: 64º08'00"N 21º56'00"W
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: PussyFart] 2
#17384672 - 12/13/12 09:03 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Because I stack my tubs for colonization,
pushing the lid down tightly on the lower tubs.
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PussyFart
Retired Cultivation Extrodinaire
Registered: 04/08/12
Posts: 22,502
Loc: Orbiting Earth
Last seen: 28 days, 16 hours
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: stonesun] 3
#17384678 - 12/13/12 09:04 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
stonesun said:
Because I stack my tubs for colonization,
pushing the lid down tightly on the lower tubs.
Ah, I see says the blind man to his deaf friend...now it makes sense, thanks!
--------------------
THIS HOBBY IS NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT! PLEASE BE PATIENT, DON'T BE A PATIENT!
A Tale of 10 Isolates, GT Cluster Clone Monotubs, RR's Let's Grow Mushrooms DVD,
SGFC(Shotgun Fruiting Chamber), Monotub Tek, Damion5050's Coir Tek, TL's Tek List, Frank's Tek List,
EvilMushroom666's Pasteurization Tek, How It Should & Shouldn't Look - NEW CULTIVATORS GUIDE
*** *** AFGHAN KUSH GROW LOG *** ***
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FrankHorrigan
The Inquisition
Registered: 01/04/11
Posts: 10,573
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: stonesun] 1
#17386017 - 12/13/12 02:09 PM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
El Mescalero said:
So what you are showing is how to loosely fill the top holes, right, since you said to stuff the bottom holes tightly and the top holes loosely to keep fresh air flowing in the top and out the bottom?
My questions are how do you pack the bottom holes tightly, and what size are your holes?
Thanks.
Yes, I need to edit this a bit more with new pictures, but this is going to be re-named "how to stuff polyfill in your monotub" 
For the bottom holes, I just roll together a big ol' ball and stuff it in from the outside. I push in the middle with my thumb(s) and get it to stick real well.
The upper puffballs I make very loose like I've shown. My holes on my tubs are all 1.5", four on the bottom at sub level and two on top
Good luck with your first mono!
Quote:
stonesun said:
Because I stack my tubs for colonization,
pushing the lid down tightly on the lower tubs.
Interesting, I stack my tubs and I've tried both tight poly in the top holes and taping them all up. They both seem to work equally well for me 
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El Mescalero
Stranger
Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 37
Last seen: 10 years, 13 days
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: FrankHorrigan]
#17390884 - 12/14/12 10:24 AM (10 years, 9 months ago) |
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Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
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SpitballJedi
Ancient Astronaut
Registered: 10/13/12
Posts: 8,598
Loc: Nibiru 
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: PussyFart]
#17523753 - 01/09/13 05:41 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Notahacker420 said:
Quote:
stonesun said:
For colonization I have the lower holes taped and the upper holes stuffed tightly
with polyfill.
Why tho? If the imperfect lid provides enough GE for everyone else, why would u use polyfill in the top holes for colonization?
I realize that if it's stuffed tight it shouldn't matter, but I just want your opinion on this.
I just posted a thread asking this very question. Glad I came across this
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Yesum
Furry as Fuc
Registered: 11/05/12
Posts: 13,124
Loc: Central Part of Town
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 Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: SpitballJedi]
#17523792 - 01/09/13 05:48 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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.
Edited by Yesum (02/01/18 01:18 AM)
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Gardens Keeper
Stranger
Registered: 01/03/13
Posts: 14
Last seen: 10 years, 8 months
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Re: Making loose polyfill puffballs for your mono [Re: Yesum]
#17524344 - 01/09/13 07:24 PM (10 years, 8 months ago) |
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How big are these holes? :P You should weigh the polyfil on a digital scale so we can follow this exactly. Heh, nah just jokin thanks for write up.
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FrankHorrigan
The Inquisition
Registered: 01/04/11
Posts: 10,573
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Re: How to dial in your monotubs like a champ [Re: FrankHorrigan]
#17764795 - 02/07/13 10:28 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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expanded and updated the OP, renamed it as well
hope this helps!
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FrankHorrigan
The Inquisition
Registered: 01/04/11
Posts: 10,573
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Re: How to dial in your monotubs like a champ [Re: FrankHorrigan]
#17792427 - 02/12/13 09:42 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Added some pics of successful harvests I've had using this method to the OP.
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SpitballJedi
Ancient Astronaut
Registered: 10/13/12
Posts: 8,598
Loc: Nibiru
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Re: How to dial in your monotubs like a champ *DELETED* [Re: FrankHorrigan]
#17840010 - 02/21/13 07:13 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Post deleted by SpitballJediReason for deletion: forgot pic
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