|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm(UPDATE)
#21358296 - 03/03/15 09:00 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Hi!! my amazing community!!! its time to make a test about semi-commercial mushroom growing...
Since i got to borrow some warehouse and rooms from my dad I think its an excellent oportunity!!!No one in town grows mushrooms so im gonna be the first!! I want to start small first...
for that same reason im gonna start with a small area first... the main fruiting area its a 718 square feet room
Im gonna show you some pictures from it! and a sketch of what i have in mind: first the picture of the place from the street...
its just a small humble door... nothing special bout it.
When you open the door you get this glimpse from the inside:
 the wall that is adjacent to the street has 2 windows which i will use as ventilation holes...
im gonna use the larger one to put a fan to blow air inside from the street, the other will function as pressure release.. also some insect netting on both of the windows... to keep bugs out......
now the main room has access to other 3 areas... one is a small completely closed room wich could be used as clean room for labwork but its just next to the fruiting area and i dont know if that could be a problem.. it also has a small corridor that leads to a bathroom, and a door that goes to another mid-sized room with some shelfing and another bathroom... this is the other room: 
and the small room (possible clean lab) and its access:
 
the bathroom i plan on taking out toilet and faucet and use as spawn incubation area... but not sure if its a great idea or not...
here is a layout sketch of my plans:

i realize: 1. I need to get drains on fruiting area 2. need to coat the fruiting area walls to protect them from humidity
I would like to hear advice on this design to see if you can help me to improve it...
not sure if it is right to have the clean lab for flow hood adjacent to the fruiting room... and i dont know which of the 2 bathrooms im gonna destroy to make spawn room,
Also i happen to have a huge roll of tetrapak material wich is some paper coated with plastic on both sides, one side is white and the other is reflective.. i thought i could use this to insulate the room but i think installation would be difficult... <I think I would have to cover all the room in plywood and then glue this tetrapak
there is this option.. the other is wood frame all the room and put clear plastic, and adapt the ventilation on the windows... Also for humidity i have a 12 head mist maker wich im gonna use to build a 55 gallon humidifier with an automatic filling system...
Since we are on a hot tropical climate I will be growing hot tolerant species, like phoenix, golden and pink oyster... I will give a try on warm weather shiitake...
i would lie to hear your advice opinions please!! i will keep posted on the advances!!
thanks a lot!! this is a great site with great people i have learnt a lot from you... hope to contribute more with knowledge soon
have a great day!!!
Edited by AIRDOG (07/21/15 03:24 PM)
|
Roker
Stranger



Registered: 11/02/05
Posts: 343
Loc: outer spiral arm
Last seen: 8 years, 1 month
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21358411 - 03/03/15 09:21 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Looks like a good space. I assume you're going to be growing oysters or Agaricus bisporus?
Probably the first thing you will need to do is a business plan. Not the most exciting thing in the world but essential if you want to make money. List all your expenses, one time (fit out etc.) and recurring (water, power, substrate, storage, distribution, taxes - local, state, federal)
Then figure out how much you will need to sell per month to make a profit (can you do this by yourself, or do you need a partner) What the competition is? do you undersell them or focus on a fresh and local premium product.
Is there a local stable you can partner with for free/cheap compost?
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: Roker]
#21358671 - 03/03/15 10:27 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Roker said: Looks like a good space. I assume you're going to be growing oysters or Agaricus bisporus
I will be focusing on warm weather species and strains... golden, pink and phoenix oysters
Quote:
Roker said: Is there a local stable you can partner with for free/cheap compost?
I can get all the tons of sugar cane bagasse i want for free... also manure but i dont think i will use manure... i can get cheap rice bran too, free spent coffe grounds, free sawdust,
|
drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 5 years, 2 months
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21358820 - 03/03/15 10:58 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
do you have billboards in your town? they are available for cheap and make great wall covering.
i wouldn't put your lab next to your fruiting room. but I would also build a room inside of a room for your fruiting chamber. doesn't need to be fancy. but it needs to be contained.
like this
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: drake89]
#21359630 - 03/04/15 06:39 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I cannot see the picture you uploaded
|
drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 5 years, 2 months
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21359762 - 03/04/15 07:33 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Hmm...also I did not have drainage in that pic I posted. So don't get too caught up with that. Especially if you're running pond fogggers. I ran 12heads per 10x25ft room and it kept up except during the dry winter. Also they only last about 3 months before you need to replace the heads and only about 6-9 months total for me. Went thru 4 sets before saying fuck it. You can buy single heads from Taiwan off eBay for $2 if you can do basic wiring.
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: drake89]
#21359904 - 03/04/15 08:09 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
drake89 said: Hmm...also I did not have drainage in that pic I posted. So don't get too caught up with that. Especially if you're running pond fogggers. I ran 12heads per 10x25ft room and it kept up except during the dry winter. Also they only last about 3 months before you need to replace the heads and only about 6-9 months total for me. Went thru 4 sets before saying fuck it. You can buy single heads from Taiwan off eBay for $2 if you can do basic wiring.
its a nice design you got there!!! I just saw this video before seeing your warehouse i think i like the design, im gonna replicate it...[flash=,]http://youtu.be/pe4PYx3D04I[/flash]
drake89 did you cleaned the heads for salt deposits periodically?? i got 2 12 heads for 300 dlls included floater and replace discs but damn do they really only last so little??' you kept your foggers on all day?
Edited by AIRDOG (03/04/15 08:18 AM)
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21388627 - 03/10/15 06:42 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I hate to bump my own thread but I gotta see what i do because buliding a wooden framed plastic room inside concrete room is gonna leave me with a miserable space because i have to leave a corridor all around it to access all the other small rooms and to keep the fuse boxes outta the way...
This is what I have in mind. but im opened to suggestions: since the real fruiting area was reduced im gonna have to put the humidifier outside and pipe it to the grow room, im making a large one like agar's tek humidifier with a squirrel cage fan.
 my idea on layout...
what do you think?? any suggestions?
Edited by AIRDOG (03/11/15 11:25 AM)
|
solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21391296 - 03/11/15 04:24 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Where are you going to prep, pack and store your mushrooms?
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: solarity]
#21391473 - 03/11/15 06:27 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I guess it will have to be in the bulk room!
|
solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21391649 - 03/11/15 08:12 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Sorry but I think your layout will be a nightmare.
before I make any suggestions, can you add extra doors or are you stuck with it?
Where will your waste be going?
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
|
mcchieftan
Part man, part mushroom



Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 525
Loc: Norway
Last seen: 1 year, 24 days
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: solarity]
#21391954 - 03/11/15 09:47 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I'm finding it tricky enough sober!
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: solarity]
#21392309 - 03/11/15 11:19 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
solarity said: Sorry but I think your layout will be a nightmare.
before I make any suggestions, can you add extra doors or are you stuck with it?
Where will your waste be going?
pretty much stuck with it since this room complex is inside a larger building... maybe i could add a few doors.... actually I forgot there is another door in the bulk room that leads to a huge open warehouse. ive added the door on this sketch

the waste will be going to 10 x 1.5 x .50 meter earthworm beds that are on the outside on the big open warehouse.... to convert to worm castings and get extra bucks.
there are more huge warehouse thing but it is to damn filthy to try to make rooms there... it has 30+ years of dust, mold, rat and pigeon shit all over the place, not worth it for beggining
Edited by AIRDOG (03/11/15 11:26 AM)
|
solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21393205 - 03/11/15 02:36 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Ok so which door is your waste going out of?
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
|
MattyBear
sharing is caring



Registered: 07/04/13
Posts: 204
Last seen: 3 years, 9 months
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: solarity]
#21394857 - 03/11/15 08:01 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Just posting to read along.
-------------------- Here's what we can do to change the world right now, to a better ride. Take all the money we spend on weapons and defenses each year and instead, spend it feeding, clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over , not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace. ~Bill Hicks~ Looking to build up a print library
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: solarity]
#21395289 - 03/11/15 09:51 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
solarity said: Ok so which door is your waste going out of?
to the filthy warehouse where i will put the worm beds
|
deadmandave
Slime


Registered: 02/16/10
Posts: 3,375
Loc:
Last seen: 9 days, 18 hours
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: AIRDOG]
#21397271 - 03/12/15 11:51 AM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
You have access to more warehouse space? Sound good for fruiting, keep the lab and prep area in the nicer area and build a fc in the warehouse.
Shop VAC's work miracles in old filthy neglected spaces might be worth it to spend a day or week cleaning so that the next year isn't a shit show of myco-activity in a space not suited for it.
I guess I'm saying that to build your mushroom farm on the a proper foundation may be worth a nightmare of cleaning up front.
|
drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 5 years, 2 months
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: deadmandave]
#21397926 - 03/12/15 02:21 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Pressure washer could be good too
|
solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: drake89]
#21398051 - 03/12/15 02:47 PM (9 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Yep if you can clean some floor on the other side of that door and make it the entrance to a big FC you will have a lot better layout. You could even buy a cheap garden marquee off of ebay, then line it with plastic. I built a room like that in my previous premises: I actually used 2 skins and put bubble wrap between the layers for insulation. As long as you positively pressurise it you should not have an issue.
Knew I had a pic somewhere:

-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
|
AIRDOG



Registered: 10/16/99
Posts: 3,493
Loc: world's shroom capital
|
Re: Borrowed warehouse... starting urban mushroom farm [Re: solarity]
#21976082 - 07/21/15 03:23 PM (8 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
 So i am almost done placing the wooden framing... look at this!
how do you like it?
|
|