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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,531
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Agar containers
#19345730 - 12/30/13 10:26 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I bought these thinking that I would pour some agar in them while heating the bulk of my agar. I heat the agar in bottles for pouring purposes into disposable petris, but have a ton of room left in the sterilizer basket. I thought that they would work for filling the extra space, and they would be a no pour, fail safe backup that I could store for later needs. Does anyone use them. (I apologize if this has been gone over before)


These have clip on lids instead of the taller screw top containers I was using before.
Are these viable for long term agar "no pour" storage?
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anne halonium
jaguarette



Registered: 05/07/13
Posts: 1,908
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Re: Agar containers [Re: bootster]
#19345796 - 12/30/13 10:51 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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if they survive PC, why not?
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mycomattie



Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 1,323
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Do they have a PP5 plastic code on the bottom? If so, they can be pressure cooked - if not, they will most likely melt.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,531
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Quote:
anne halonium said: if they survive PC, why not?
They are huge compared to a disposable petri.
Yes, they are pp5, I don't know about the lids but I'm getting ready to check it out.
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HypnotoadCroaked
Retired, but will check MSGs

Registered: 01/05/13
Posts: 1,168
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Re: Agar containers [Re: bootster]
#19345864 - 12/30/13 11:16 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
bootster said: Does anyone use them.............. Are these viable for long term agar "no pour" storage?
I have in the past used large pp5 cups. They do work great, but they seem more prone to undesirable amounts of condensation. Over the last month I have been doing no-pour agar in glass and plastic. The glass no-pour was condensation free after a day or 2 while the plastic pp5 containers will have condensation until the agar begins to dry out after a few weeks.
I have tried a number of methods to knock down the condensation, and the best solution was glass no-pour. I still will use the plastic at times because they are larger, but it seems odd to have to dump out condensation the first time you open them.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,531
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You are spot on Whippy. I can pour 20 petris and use them the next day but the plastic can sit for weeks and never lose the condensation.

I'll make up some agar to test the lids. My bet is that they will be fine. I don't like the way that the lids "hinge" on the container. The screw on lids will last forever.
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Pastywhyte
Say hello to my little friend



Registered: 09/15/12
Posts: 37,811
Loc: Canada
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Re: Agar containers [Re: bootster]
#19345986 - 12/30/13 11:55 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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That's why small pp5 are the better choice. Less condensation, easy to work with in the SAB, more can fit in the fridge.

I'm not even sure why people insist on having so much surface area for their agar anyway. One of those mini round containers will inoculate 4 quarts easy and I can G2G those out with ease. More exposed surface area on the plate is just more sterile media your tools got to pass over to drop or make your transfer.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,531
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I think I'll stick with these. Self pour and you got it.

Poured bliss.
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Pastywhyte
Say hello to my little friend



Registered: 09/15/12
Posts: 37,811
Loc: Canada
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Re: Agar containers [Re: bootster]
#19346040 - 12/30/13 12:17 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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If I had a hood maybe, but I find that pouring those is just a major pain in the ass with an SAB. The only time I even bother to mess around with pour agar is for antibiotic, otherwise its just not worth the effort. I actually find it easier to work with my mini rounds in the SAB as well, the small size lets me manipulate the container with one hand, gives me a lot more control when making transfers.
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HypnotoadCroaked
Retired, but will check MSGs

Registered: 01/05/13
Posts: 1,168
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Quote:
Pastywhyte said:
I'm not even sure why people insist on having so much surface area for their agar anyway.
My reason is because a larger mouth container allows for slightly different angle of scalpel use. With my hands, having a bit of extra room to work make a difference.
My other reason is simply based on my schedule. At times I will not be able to maintain cultures for Week(s)+ and like to know that I can catch a culture before it gets to the edges. If I had more time to maintain, it may be a different issue.
I have tried the 1/4th pint small mouth jars, and would ponder using them again, but finding them without the "pattern" on the outside is tricky. The glass has that pattern all around that really blocks view.
At the end of the day, it is personal preference. If your shoe fits wear it. We are all doing the same thing and its all good with me
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Pastywhyte
Say hello to my little friend



Registered: 09/15/12
Posts: 37,811
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
Whippy said: At times I will not be able to maintain cultures for Week(s)+ and like to know that I can catch a culture before it gets to the edges. If I had more time to maintain, it may be a different issue.
I hear that. I got a fridge full of cultures at the moment. But I usually have so many going at once, that a few extra days ain't really gonna help. I usually need a few extra weeks 
Quote:
Whippy said: I have tried the 1/4th pint small mouth jars, and would ponder using them again, but finding them without the "pattern" on the outside is tricky. The glass has that pattern all around that really blocks view.
I agree, that's why the mini rounds are awesome, no pattern.
Quote:
Whippy said: At the end of the day, it is personal preference. If your shoe fits wear it. We are all doing the same thing and its all good with me 
QFT. If your doing agar, your doing agar Just nice to spread as many ways to skin that cat around as possible. That way if a new person gets frustrated with one, they at least know that they can try something else that may work better for them.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,531
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You have some excellent points Whippy. I have failed many times pouring agar in my SAB, but now I have it down to a science. 0 contams every time now. I think that practice makes perfect.
Pastywhyte, I understand your frustration. It is challenging to pour successfully in an SAB. Keep on truckin' my friend. Whatever is most comfortable and works for you.
Good conversation folks.
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cronicr



Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 61,436
Loc: Van Isle
Last seen: 2 years, 1 month
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Re: Agar containers [Re: bootster]
#19346091 - 12/30/13 12:32 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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get all diffrent sizes of shit and a little bit of everything for real petri's and diffrent stuff for diffrent recipes, don't limit yourself
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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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magickspore



Registered: 12/11/12
Posts: 798
Loc: Center of the universe.
Last seen: 8 months, 29 days
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Lol that's what I'm doing.
What types of agar do you guys use as your "go to mix"? Do you add anything to it? Yeast etc. Sorry bootster for :threadjack:
I'm gathering up materials right now while I got the money lol and have everything I need to make no pour dishes of PDA.
I just wanna know from first hand experience if PDA and pdya would keep me content or if you guys like something else. RR made it seem like ehh
Edited by magickspore (12/30/13 12:39 PM)
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cronicr



Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 61,436
Loc: Van Isle
Last seen: 2 years, 1 month
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pda kicks ass, dex and ME are cheap, i haven't used yeast in a long time but karo and honey are nice to have around,dogfood is awesome, so is oatmeal....i gotta stop there or my shopping list will hate me
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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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Vis0nairee
Stranger



Registered: 12/02/13
Posts: 115
Last seen: 7 years, 9 months
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Re: Agar containers [Re: bootster]
#19346129 - 12/30/13 12:40 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Im waiting on a 60cc syringe thats in the mail on its way. Should make my first encounter with "pouring" agar in my newly built SAB a breeze.
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HypnotoadCroaked
Retired, but will check MSGs

Registered: 01/05/13
Posts: 1,168
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Quote:
magickspore said: What types of agar do you guys use as your "go to mix"?
http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/19273627
I substituted Agave Nectar for Dextrose and made PAA. Internal designations are PAA #2, and PAA#2c (clear agave)
Works well enough that I feel no need to look around. Agave is found near brown sugar in most grocery and big-brand stores.
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bootster


Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,531
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I use nothing but MEA for now. Wood lovers are coming up and I may switch it around a bit. A 1 LB bag of extra light Malt cost me $8.50.
That will last for over a year with heavy activity. I've done PDA before and It worked fine. It just takes more time unless your using instant flakes.
Best of luck to you Vis0nairee.
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Pastywhyte
Say hello to my little friend



Registered: 09/15/12
Posts: 37,811
Loc: Canada
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If you plan on keeping a culture around for a long time, its beneficial to change the media. Right now I rotate between PDA, MEA, grain soak water, and the occasional dog food agar. Planning on introducing cornstarch agar, oatmeal agar, as regulars in the rotation. Want to definitely try beer agar and rice krispy's agar down the road.
Quote:
Whippy said: I substituted Agave Nectar for Dextrose and made PAA. Internal designations are PAA #2, and PAA#2c (clear agave)
I got a bottle of this that my wife uses for something and I was looking at it the other day wondering if it would work. Gonna try it now.
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magickspore



Registered: 12/11/12
Posts: 798
Loc: Center of the universe.
Last seen: 8 months, 29 days
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Re: Agar containers [Re: bootster]
#19346149 - 12/30/13 12:44 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Oh oh oh what kind of agar do you use for WOODLOVERS yes! Thank for saying that or I would've forgot to ask again!
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