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Midnight Cyclone
StrangerDanger
Registered: 05/29/13
Posts: 399
Loc: oo ess aye oo ess aye
Last seen: 10 years, 11 days
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Constructing the Ultimate Mini-GH
#19148930 - 11/17/13 09:44 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I've been through many different GH tutorials, taken benefits from each and built my own which I find suits my needs.
Other GH teks include Notahacker420, Violet, and Frank's GH has probably influenced me the most.
Let's get to it,
Items necessary to construct:
4 tier miniature GH

Ultrasonic humidifier

Filter/Wick humidifier

Hygrotherm

Timer

Some lighting (preferably 5000-7000k bulb) - You can see my light source (the little flexible computer desk light w/ 6500k that I have clipped to the top right of the GH). (Stealth Mode)

The evolution of my GH:
When I first got the GH, I started off with just the ultrasonic humidifier plugged into a hygrotherm. I tried to run that setup for a while but found that my cubes were asking for more fresh air, and if cubes were showing lack of FAE then I know the pans I was working on would doubtfully survive.
I kept trying to figure out some way to work in the FAE, and I resorted to buying computer fans. After waiting 3 weeks for them to arrive from Taiwan, they were complete pieces of shit. Over half of them didn't even spin, and the ones that worked only ran maybe 100rpm when they were all advertised to run over 1000rpm. The whole computer fan experience was a huge headache, and I'm actually glad it ended up not working out because at the end of the day it can't stand up next to having that extra humidifier.
How the GH and its systems work together:
Benefits of the ultrasonic -Mostly used for RH -Whenever I open the GH to do any work I can count on the ultrasonic to quickly replace the lost humidity.
Benefits of the filter/wick -Mostly used for FAE -Helps keep the GH from being stagnant
The ultrasonic is essentially run 24/7 considering it's plugged into the hygrotherm. The hygrotherm turns on the ultrasonic whenever it falls 3-5% from the designated humidity setting. The filter/wick is plugged in through the timer, and I can set it to run pretty much any interval I want. My timer is a 40 minute cycle with 50 second intervals, or vice versa I don't recall.
Basically, when the GH is first started up - such as after you re-fill the humidifier tanks and the GH has come to an equilibrium with the room - the hygrotherm kicks on the ultrasonic and that baby pumps out a fog like there's no tomorrow. The timer has also started the filter/wick humidifier (which produces no visible humidity fog), and runs continuously on the designated time interval. Once the hygrotherm reaches the desired humidity setting, the ultrasonic is automatically shut off. Keep in mind that the filter/wick will continue to run, and will help to maintain the humidity inside the GH, but is probably not capable of properly maintaining the high humidity levels which is where the ultrasonic on the hygrotherm comes in.
Things I've found I don't like when using a GH:
Computer fans - I wanted to use these really badly. Then I got the second humidifier (the filter/wick) and that all changed. Metal GH - you'll find your metal GH will rust pretty quickly, unless you take precautionary measure like using rust-oleum. Cutting holes in my GH - Not aesthetically pleasing, can accomplish same results without having to do this. Rigging the humidifiers in from the outside - instead of just keeping them inside and avoiding the hassle.
Extra Notes/Tips:
The ultrasonic humidifier can maintain the humidity levels (95%+) alone, but the filter/wick also helps keep the RH up in the GH.
I've experimented with only using the filter/wick but it could only maintain 85% RH at max settings.
Running both humidifiers the way I do allows for extended trips without worry, as opposed to rigging sketchy computer fans.
Substrates in the GH do have a habit of drying out a bit faster than those in a monotub; because of this many people choose to use a casing layer when growing in a GH.. even with cubes! There are other benefits to using a casing layer besides just this one, and it is an all around good idea to do so.
One major thing the casing layer can also help with is maintaining 100% humidity (or as close to it as possible) at the substrate level. This aids in hyphal knotting and therefore aids in pinning.
In the past I've read to try your best to pick before the mushrooms ink themselves. I've heard the spores can ruin ultrasonic humidifiers. (don't quote me please, and don't ask for quotes... hell take this as hearsay if you want)
Humidifiers which you fill from the top are infinitely easier to work with, and I would suggest investing in if you have the opportunity.
Humidifiers that work on the principle, "beauty in simplicity." By this, I mean try to get humidifiers which don't depend on a vacuum so that if you want to build a water reservoir you don't have to be a physics major to do so. Like my wick-type humidifier, which is a damn bucket of water with a fan on top.
I find that using bed raisers to raise my GH helps assure the air inside isn't stagnant, and the humidity has somewhere to escape to allow for evaporation.
If I know that I need to be away from the GH for an extended period of time (7+ days) I will remove the bed raisers and allow the GH to set on the floor. Doing this will extend the life of the humidifiers water supply because not so much humidity will escape so quickly.
The hygrotherm can control a heating device, as well. Some kind of heating pad or space heater could help you through winter, depending how harsh your climate is; although I've never found the need to do so.
Keep your humidifiers clean. If you're getting repeat contam and can't find the source in your spawn or substrate, I'd have to bet that your humidifier is harboring the contamination.
Keep your filter/wick humidifier near a source of fresh air (see mine is at the bottom with the GH flap pulled away from the air intake) as to help keep the air inside the GH as fresh as possible. If this humidifier is not able to bring in air from outside the GH then it is just recycling that same humid air and not serving its full purpose.
Notice that I don't give many specifics here. I don't give settings I use, because you'll have to find what works for you. I don't give brands for timers or humidifiers, because basically anything will work. I admit, when I was first looking into the GH option I was entirely too worried about specifics, but it's not something to fret over.
Good luck, and please ask any questions you may have!
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TheCyndicate
Conglomerate



Registered: 10/16/11
Posts: 1,195
Loc: Outer Haven
Last seen: 5 years, 8 months
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I did one grow with my GH and realized that my tubs produced a lot more fruits . Not to say this does not work for you . It just did not work for me . I found myself always fucking with it all the time . Fae, misting, pooling water, just a lot of work then my bulk tubs. Now I use my GH to do all my clean work in .

for your setup and hard work
Cyn
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cronicr



Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 61,436
Loc: Van Isle
Last seen: 2 years, 8 days
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Re: Constructing the Ultimate Mini-GH [Re: TheCyndicate]
#19150084 - 11/17/13 02:40 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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--------------------
  It doesn't matter what i think of you...all that matters is clean spawn I'm tired do me a favor
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent



Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: Constructing the Ultimate Mini-GH [Re: cronicr]
#19150123 - 11/17/13 02:48 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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 +5 shrooms, almost back to 5/5
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Jake642
Stranger


Registered: 11/29/12
Posts: 10
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Re: Constructing the Ultimate Mini-GH [Re: bodhisatta]
#19150485 - 11/17/13 04:09 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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That is a lovely greenhouse!
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Midnight Cyclone
StrangerDanger
Registered: 05/29/13
Posts: 399
Loc: oo ess aye oo ess aye
Last seen: 10 years, 11 days
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Re: Constructing the Ultimate Mini-GH [Re: Jake642]
#19153113 - 11/18/13 08:00 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
TheCyndicate said:
for your setup and hard work Cyn
Thanks so much!
Quote:
cronicr said:


Quote:
bodhisatta said:
 +5 shrooms, almost back to 5/5

Quote:
Jake642 said: That is a lovely greenhouse!
Thank you sir
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent



Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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waiting for the agar journal now
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Aero
Orea


Registered: 11/01/13
Posts: 2,253
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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Re: Constructing the Ultimate Mini-GH [Re: bodhisatta]
#19153773 - 11/18/13 11:50 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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looking good, iv been thinkin on to get one of these GH-s for my edibles, so i could just hang a few bags of straw with oyster from the top shelf..
-------------------- SPREAD THE SPORES
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krikkrew
Manifestation



Registered: 05/25/09
Posts: 62
Loc: Subliminal
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
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Re: Constructing the Ultimate Mini-GH [Re: Aero]
#19153872 - 11/18/13 12:24 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Lookin good, buddy!
-------------------- Welcome to Nirvana
Have a seat, we have much to discuss.
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