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AwesomeFrog
Democratic Socialist

Registered: 01/07/13
Posts: 8
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
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Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber?
#19195570 - 11/27/13 09:27 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Hey ladies and gents, I've been wanting to set up a fair to good mushroom growing setup with what I believe is a moderate budget (Around $140).
I am a novice to cultivation, but I am much worse with electronics and I'm not very handy. I recently was looking into a mushbox but I read this old thread.
The consensus there was pretty much "You are pretty much paying for the convenience of not having to look for the supplies." I understand why people would want to do that, but I can't really afford their prices.
I have this exact aquarium tank, it has a wire-screen type lid. (Dimensions are 20 x 12 x 10 inches)

My first question is, would I be able to convert that tank into an at least decent grow chamber?
If the answer to that is yes or probably then that brings me to my second question...
What would I need in order to be able to make the chamber autonomous in regards to temperature, humidity, and other necessary factors that are important to mushroom growth?
Lastly, is it possible to do all that with my max budget of $140?
Also, I'm sorry I couldn't find a solution to this elsewhere, I'm not the best at finding a fitting tutorial on this as I'm pretty ignorant in regards to electronics.
Any help is appreciated.
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SamhainJ
I wanna rock out, in my dreams

Registered: 05/16/04
Posts: 1,002
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: AwesomeFrog]
#19195587 - 11/27/13 09:31 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Dont use that.. buy a clear rubber maid for 5 bucks at wal mart and make a sgfc..
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silverstem
Caps & Stems



Registered: 10/12/13
Posts: 900
Loc: jordan
Last seen: 6 years, 6 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: SamhainJ]
#19195594 - 11/27/13 09:32 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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dont use that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
also you dont have to be handy to grow mushrooms just watch all the videos on this page and ur set for life... these mushrooms grow so easily... http://www.mushroomvideos.com/
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Shroomery needs a gun forum!!!!!!!!! CAN WE HAVE ONE?????
Edited by silverstem (11/27/13 09:34 AM)
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Kizzle
Misanthrope


Registered: 08/30/11
Posts: 9,865
Last seen: 1 day, 6 hours
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: silverstem]
#19196095 - 11/27/13 11:46 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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They do make a good SAB. I would use it for that instead.
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FrankHorrigan
The Inquisition



Registered: 01/04/11
Posts: 10,573
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: Kizzle]
#19196099 - 11/27/13 11:48 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Kizzle said: They do make a good SAB. I would use it for that instead.
If you want to cut the glass, I guess...
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Skinty
TOP SECRET


Registered: 07/04/13
Posts: 1,150
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: AwesomeFrog]
#19196101 - 11/27/13 11:48 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
AwesomeFrog said:

My first question is, would I be able to convert that tank into an at least decent grow chamber?
NO!
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Kizzle
Misanthrope


Registered: 08/30/11
Posts: 9,865
Last seen: 1 day, 6 hours
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: FrankHorrigan]
#19196126 - 11/27/13 11:57 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
FrankHorrigan said:
Quote:
Kizzle said: They do make a good SAB. I would use it for that instead.
If you want to cut the glass, I guess...

You turn it on it's side and make a lid for the open side with arm holes in it.
You can see what I'm talking about in this
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Edited by Kizzle (11/27/13 12:00 PM)
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Moorning Due
been know to derp


Registered: 10/08/13
Posts: 8,061
Loc: ether jet of existence
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: FrankHorrigan]
#19196133 - 11/27/13 11:58 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
FrankHorrigan said:
Quote:
Kizzle said: They do make a good SAB. I would use it for that instead.
If you want to cut the glass, I guess...

Oh, a glass SGFC, that's a project for someone with a little too much time on their hands and a really good glass drill!
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AwesomeFrog
Democratic Socialist

Registered: 01/07/13
Posts: 8
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: Moorning Due]
#19197766 - 11/27/13 06:43 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Sorry for not being specific, but it's made of plexiglass. Also, what does SAB stand for? I'm still learning the acronyms.
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SamhainJ
I wanna rock out, in my dreams

Registered: 05/16/04
Posts: 1,002
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: AwesomeFrog]
#19197786 - 11/27/13 06:47 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Still air box.. for inoccing, g2g, etc.. seriously dont fick around and biy a rubbermaid.. most use clear rubbermaids with clear tops.. but as long as the light is above the fruiting chamber an the lid is clear you will be ok.. and its not like its a hassle, a rubbermaid is like 6 bux at most at wal mart..you just drill or punch holes in it and you have a sgfc.. follow everyones advice..its not 1994 we dont use fish tanks to grow anymore..
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FooMan



Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 8,957
Loc: Earth
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: silverstem]
#19197789 - 11/27/13 06:48 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
silverstem said:
dont use that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
A 10 gallon aquarium with some wet perlite and a trash bag laid loosely over the top for a lid was my first terrarium. Worked just fine.
 
You guys seem to think a shotgun terrarium is the only thing that'll work. If it holds moisture and allows light through it'll probably work.
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Quick WBS Prep
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SamhainJ
I wanna rock out, in my dreams

Registered: 05/16/04
Posts: 1,002
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: FooMan]
#19197808 - 11/27/13 06:52 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Fooman, im sure it could work, but why not encourage doing things the right way from the start?
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FooMan



Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 8,957
Loc: Earth
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: SamhainJ] 1
#19199354 - 11/28/13 04:43 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
SamhainJ said: Fooman, im sure it could work, but why not encourage doing things the right way from the start?
No, it DOES work. It's a humidified terrarium with FAE provided by the loose bag over the top and occasional manual fanning. High Humidity + FAE + Light = Mushrooms. Doesn't matter if you use a 10 gallon aquarium, a cardboard box or a 2 liter bottle to achieve the same result. I'm not knocking the shotgun by any means. It's a great terrarium, but there are many ways to skin a cat and shoving it down everyone's throats as the only "right way" to do it limits creativity.
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Quick WBS Prep
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PussyFart
Retired Cultivation Extrodinaire



Registered: 04/08/12
Posts: 22,502
Loc: Orbiting Earth
Last seen: 1 month, 11 days
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: FooMan]
#19199382 - 11/28/13 05:02 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
FooMan said:
Quote:
SamhainJ said: Fooman, im sure it could work, but why not encourage doing things the right way from the start?
No, it DOES work. It's a humidified terrarium with FAE provided by the loose bag over the top and occasional manual fanning. High Humidity + FAE + Light = Mushrooms. Doesn't matter if you use a 10 gallon aquarium, a cardboard box or a 2 liter bottle to achieve the same result. I'm not knocking the shotgun by any means. It's a great terrarium, but there are many ways to skin a cat and shoving it down everyone's throats as the only "right way" to do it limits creativity.
Well IMHO I am not sure how well perlite would work in the bottom of a tub with no holes....no air can pass up thru it to humidify anything....yes i know it works, but how good does it really work? In order for the perlite to humidify anything, water must be able to evaporate off it.
Also we usually do not fan for FAE, we usually fan after misting, for a drop in humidity, to make room for evaporation to happen of the water we just misted.
What we strive for is constant FAE(FAE between the manual mistings/fannings), which means constant evaporation, which also means constant high humidity....
This happens in a SGFC and/or a monotub for sure.....not so much in an aquarium.....or a GH with no holes and just an output fan on a timer.
I do not want this to turn into an argument....and I agree there is more than one way to skin a cat....but there is what works.....and there is what works better......it is kind of obvious a SGFC is better at dissipating gasses than an aquarium....and also that the perlite makes more sense in a SGFC instead of just sitting in the bottom of a tub with no holes and no air circulating thru it. I can however see an aquarium function just fine as a PMP.
Again, not trying to argue....but the SGFC is pushed down peoples throats for a reason......it utilizes perlite much better than a glass tank.
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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 *** ***
Edited by PussyFart (11/28/13 05:03 AM)
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure



Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 1 year, 4 days
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: PussyFart]
#19199440 - 11/28/13 05:52 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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The shotgun terrarium is a bit more self sufficient from a fresh air and humidity standpoint, but the bottom line is that anything which will hold humidity while allowing for fresh air and light will fruit mushrooms.
Using an aquarium like that will be a bit more labor intensive due to extra fanning and stuff, but it will work. If you have something bigger, it will work better. 10 gallons isn't much area to dissipate the gasses. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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FooMan



Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 8,957
Loc: Earth
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: PussyFart]
#19199455 - 11/28/13 06:02 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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The OP asked if a 10 gallon aquarium would work. The replies made it seem as if this was a stupid idea that wouldn't work. Speaking from actual experience and not copy & pasted replies I said it would work and even showed pics of it working. I've also used a shotgun terrarium and haven't seen enough of a difference between the two to recommend that the guy ditch the aquarium he already has for a shotgun he would need to purchase and drill holes for.
An aquarium with a loose fitting lid (like a trash bag) does actually provide high humidity and constant FAE. My hygrometer was always +95% humidity with that setup and it actually worked better than the PMP I did afterwards.
I've said my bit. You're free to continue telling the guy not to try it
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Quick WBS Prep
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SamhainJ
I wanna rock out, in my dreams

Registered: 05/16/04
Posts: 1,002
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: FooMan]
#19199479 - 11/28/13 06:11 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I used to grow in a tub with no holes, i just fanned alot and got pretty good results but my grows have really taken off since building a sgfc.. i only said anything about it bc i wish someone had told me to build one earlie..
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Kizzle
Misanthrope


Registered: 08/30/11
Posts: 9,865
Last seen: 1 day, 6 hours
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: SamhainJ]
#19199989 - 11/28/13 09:41 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
I've also used a shotgun terrarium and haven't seen enough of a difference between the two to recommend that the guy ditch the aquarium he already has for a shotgun he would need to purchase and drill holes for.
Doesn't need to ditch it. Still air box, everyone should have one IMO and it's nice to actually be able to clearly see what you're doing in one.
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AwesomeFrog
Democratic Socialist

Registered: 01/07/13
Posts: 8
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: Kizzle]
#19200666 - 11/28/13 12:40 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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I've been reading up on the different equipment used in cultivating and whatnot. I see a lot of threads about this equipment, but not really what they are and what they do. What exactly does a Still Air Box do?
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SamhainJ
I wanna rock out, in my dreams

Registered: 05/16/04
Posts: 1,002
Loc: USA
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
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Re: Turning an aquarium into an automated fruiting chamber? [Re: AwesomeFrog]
#19200676 - 11/28/13 12:41 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Its for innoculating, agar work, g2g etc..
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