Home | Community | Message Board

Sporeworks
This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: North Spore Bulk Substrate   Mushroom-Hut Substrate Mix   Left Coast Kratom Buy Kratom Extract   PhytoExtractum Maeng Da Thai Kratom Leaf Powder   Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
OfflineIamthatIam
Stranger
Male


Registered: 08/28/15
Posts: 9
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Fully automated Martha grow chamber! * 3
    #22157335 - 08/28/15 04:05 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Hello everyone! Just joined and want to share my experience and setup. Mushroom growing has been a hobby for years. Such a fun process to learn and a challenge in the beginning. I’ve always been a shotgun fruiting chamber kind of guy. Lately, I have transitioned to a fully automated greenhouse system and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Everything I learned to build this simple and extremely effective system I learned from this site, so thank you all for the open source knowledge!

My experience when looking for information for a good setup was a difficult one with so much information. There are so many different ways to set up a Martha style terrarium that it becomes very confusing, tough to decide what is best, what works. I finally ended up just having to experiment on my own with what suggestions are out there. Here is what I found is easy to assemble, relatively inexpensive and highly effective. All of the parts are available at Walmart, all except the timer. Unfortunately, a timer is a must for optimum conditions.

Without further ado, here she is:


 

What you’ll need:
50 gallon storage tub
OGrow 4 Tier Mini Greenhouse
Titan Controls Apollo 12 Timer
Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier (V4600)
4” Fan (slower the fan the better)
Surge Protector
Drill for making holes in plastic storage tub
Some painting plastic, little duct tape and zip ties

First thing I did was, of course, assemble the OGrow greenhouse. I got mine at Big Lots for $20.00. They can also be purchased at Walmart and Home Depot or online. It comes with cross support bars for the shelves. I chose to use these for securing the greenhouse to the storage tub. Zip ties work just fine to keep the shelves tight and in place and capable of bearing the load of the cakes or pans without flexing too much. I zip tied one shelf support bar to each side of the bottom of the greenhouse, then I set the greenhouse on the tub and marked where I would need to drill holes for zip tying the support bars to the tub. There are only four holes drilled in the tub, one at each corner of the greenhouse. It only takes one zip tie at each hole to secure the cross support bars to the tub. Once zip tied, this is what it looks like:





There are two zip ties at each corner to secure the cross support bar to the greenhouse. This will make the greenhouse and tub very rigid and strong. Next, you’ll need to cut a little painting plastic and duct tape the openings on each side of the tub.





Once that is good and sealed, you can place your cool mist humidifier and fan in the tub. Important to place the fan in front of the humidifier and point the fan nearly straight up in the air. I tilt it down just slightly towards the unsealed front, so air is circulated out the flap when it comes on. I leave the back AND front of the greenhouse unsealed. I run the cables for the humidifier out the back. Word of caution: Be sure the cables rise above where they come out rather than hanging down out the back. Water will condense on the cables and run down them. There are also twon air flaps on each side of the greenhouse, toward the top. I taped one completely and left the other unsealed, tacked down with the Velcro, still allowing a little air to move through it. The humidifier is a Vicks Model V4600D1 cool mist impeller humidifier. I bought it at Walmart. The fan is just a plain old 4” personal fan I also got at Walmart. It cost me $5.00. I bought an extra in case it didn’t last, but as of yet the original is still going strong. If you can’t find this one, you want to keep something in mind: You don’t want a fan that is too strong. Even the little ones like this are pretty strong. Too strong and it will push out too much air or dry the substrate. Find a fan that would suck if you were using it to stay cool. I tried a computer fan before this one and had to ditch it because even it was too strong. You just want enough fan power to push the humid air to the top of the greenhouse and that’s it.



You can see in this next picture that I have tacked the surge protector to the wall behind the terrarium at a higher level than the edge of the tub to keep that water from streaming down the cable onto the electronics. So, then plug the humidifier and fan into the surge protector and plug that into the timer. I heard so many different on/off formulas; I decided to just play with it myself since where you live will determine what will work. At first, I evaluated humidity with a sensor, but both that I bought stopped working after a week or so. If you want to spend money on a good one, it definitely helps tuning. Eventually I abandoned the humidity gauge and learned how to eyeball by the fogginess and water on cakes. It’s okay to have some water droplets forming on the cakes, but you don’t want them soaked. It’s best to adjust the timer so very, very little water forms. It’s a fine line.



You can also see in the picture above that the front flap of the greenhouse is tucked into the tub. I folded a piece of duct tape 5 or six times and then tacked it to the bottom of the front flap to weigh it down, keeping it tucked in nicely. In the picture below, the flap is pulled over the tub so you can see the tape weight.



The timer I bought is a repeat cycle timer with light sensor. It was the most expensive part of the syste. It was purchased on eBay for $60.00. The light sensor it has is useless in this case. If you can find a timer with intervals like this one, go for it. The Titan Controls Apollo 12 timer I have been very, very happy with. Great USA manufactured product, very reliable and accurate. It is adjustable from 5 seconds to 30 minutes – wonderful!



That’s it! Find what intervals for on/off work to keep the humidity somewhere near 95% FOR CAKES OR 90% for casings and you’re ready to introduce them to a fully automated grow chamber. I fill the humidifier once every few days and that’s all I have to do. Leaving the front and back of the greenhouse unsealed to the tub gives plenty of air exchange with the fan pushing carbon dioxide out every 2 ½ minutes. If any more air exchange is required, simply unzip the front six inches or so. The on/off intervals that work for me are 40 seconds on/2 ½ minutes off. With this setup I have never had a contamination problem and have had sweet results. I put 10% hydrogen peroxide in the water I add to the humidifier to help keep things clean.
*One thing I have done since is to raise the tub and add a drain water plug in the bottom corner with a tray under the tub to catch everything. This way I don’t have to towel out the water build up every few days. Obviously, if you don’t add the hole and tray, you’ll just need to stay on top of build up in the bottom of the tub. Don’t be dumb and let it get out of control and dangerous.

Close up picture of the tub sticker:



And lastly, some pictures of the fruits of this labor:









Would be happy to answer any questions about this setup. Happy growing!!


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflinecronicrFacebook
 User Gallery


Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 61,436
Loc: Van Isle Flag
Last seen: 2 years, 8 days
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22157362 - 08/28/15 04:13 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

:likeaboss:


--------------------

It doesn't matter what i think of you...all that matters is clean spawn

I'm tired do me a favor


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisiblejbaby007
Badass
I'm a teapot


Registered: 02/28/15
Posts: 1,026
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22157479 - 08/28/15 04:40 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

That looks pretty damn cool, I'm not gonna lie. You results on that one cake seem pretty legit.  :thumbup:


--------------------


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinebluegill
intergalactic toejam
 User Gallery


Registered: 11/05/13
Posts: 489
Last seen: 2 years, 11 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: jbaby007]
    #22157633 - 08/28/15 05:22 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

What does it cost for all the needed supplies/materials?


--------------------
"Psychedelics are like carnival tickets, you buy the ticket and take the ride, then you get off and go home. What your talking about is physical death. That's when you're pulled into the carnival against your will and your stuck there for eternity."


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineIamthatIam
Stranger
Male


Registered: 08/28/15
Posts: 9
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: jbaby007]
    #22157701 - 08/28/15 05:38 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

I was really impressed with the performance of the cakes in this system. The constant air exchange makes the pins go nuts. That cake in the picture looking so explosive was the first to be birthed. All the others came along a few days later and exploded just the same. :smile:


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineIamthatIam
Stranger
Male


Registered: 08/28/15
Posts: 9
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: bluegill]
    #22157711 - 08/28/15 05:41 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Cost:

Tub - $11.00
Greenhouse - $20.00
Timer - $50.00
Cool Mist - $39.00 (probably find a cheaper one online)
Fan - $5.00
Zip ties, duct tape, plastic, surge protector - $15.00

Total - $140.00


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisibleFantastic Mr. Fox
Grass Seed Connoisseur


Registered: 02/12/15
Posts: 3,225
Loc: Flag
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22157785 - 08/28/15 06:05 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Yeah those greenhouses are kick ass!
:rockon:
They sell them in my area also,


--------------------
Giving is all we have, for we're just grateful to be alive

:kratom:


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinemushpunx
Fungus Punk
 User Gallery


Registered: 04/20/14
Posts: 13,394
Last seen: 11 days, 12 hours
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: Fantastic Mr. Fox]
    #22157803 - 08/28/15 06:12 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Yowza that gets my vote for awesome cake


--------------------

Amateur Mycologists United
AMU Q&A


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineDeTwizzle
Anyone
 User Gallery

Registered: 06/08/14
Posts: 353
Last seen: 5 years, 8 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: mushpunx]
    #22157832 - 08/28/15 06:20 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

My question is...why the fux are you still doing PF cakes?!

Good write up for sure, especially for your first. Seems like you need to move onto to grain & agar.

I am looking forward to referencing this once I finally go 'fully auto'!


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineIamthatIam
Stranger
Male


Registered: 08/28/15
Posts: 9
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: DeTwizzle]
    #22157868 - 08/28/15 06:30 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Right? :smile: I'm just comfortable with them I guess and they give me great performance for what I need. I've given the cubes a rest for a bit and moved my efforts into the legal market. I'm taking what I've learned here and applying it to Oyster and Portobello cultivation for local restaurants and farmer's market.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineDeTwizzle
Anyone
 User Gallery

Registered: 06/08/14
Posts: 353
Last seen: 5 years, 8 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22157876 - 08/28/15 06:32 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Gotta diversify your bonds! I hear that!


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinesmokythebear
mycologicly insane
Male

Registered: 10/22/13
Posts: 23
Loc: pnw
Last seen: 5 years, 3 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: mushpunx]
    #22157884 - 08/28/15 06:34 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Nice, I was thinking about setting up a gh and was looking at the same one. How much weight do you think each shelf can hold?


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineIamthatIam
Stranger
Male


Registered: 08/28/15
Posts: 9
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: smokythebear]
    #22157936 - 08/28/15 06:48 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

With zip ties, maybe 5 each side (I only use 6 per shelf), you'll collapse the support bars or more likely rip the metal shelves before the ties break. Meaning, you couldn't put enough weight on the shelves with trays or cakes to collapse the support bars or rip the metal shelves (unless you had lead for substrate). Long as you use at least 6 ties per shelf, you're good for whatever you want to put on there. I'd guess each shelf can support 30 lbs. I put the 20 lb dumb bell on a shelf and it felt secure.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinesmokythebear
mycologicly insane
Male

Registered: 10/22/13
Posts: 23
Loc: pnw
Last seen: 5 years, 3 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22157987 - 08/28/15 06:59 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Ok cool, I cant wait until payday:crazy2:
I love zip ties they have so many uses.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineIamthatIam
Stranger
Male


Registered: 08/28/15
Posts: 9
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: smokythebear]
    #22158084 - 08/28/15 07:22 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Right on! Send me a message if you get stuck somewhere when tuning it in. Without the hygrometer, I stared at the greenhouse for a couple weeks, evaluating the perfect FAE/Humidity ratio. We got real close, me and this terrarium. :smile: All the observing taught me what it should and should not look like inside and how the cakes respond in a perfect atmosphere. Better to develop that skill than rely on a gauge IMO. My gauges were consistently faulty and inaccurate, throwing my reasoning for poor performance into a shit spin. If you think you're hygrometer is of high quality, just get a real good picture in your mind how foggy it looks in greenhouse and how much, if any, water has settled on your cakes. That way, if your hygrometer does go to shit like mine, you'll know from your observations when it was working. Also, don't give too much attention to how much condensation develops on the walls of the inside of the greenhouse since that condensation is mostly a reflection of the temperature difference between outside the greenhouse and inside it. Lastly, I placed a sheet of tin foil on the bottom shelf to put the cakes on. I nearly covered the bottom shelf. The reason for this is that the cakes on the bottom shelf are too close to the humidifier, wetting them more than the ones above. With the tinfoil down, the humidity jet is forced around the foil and up rather than between each cake. Works great.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineNDStepp84
Stellar nuclear waste
Male User Gallery

Registered: 04/23/15
Posts: 4,956
Last seen: 1 month, 4 days
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22158163 - 08/28/15 07:42 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

:greatjob: great job sir! Looking forward to seeing more from you.


--------------------

"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.
-Robert A. Heinlein 

:takingnotes: Links and teks:takingnotes:
ND's grow log and discussion
Plant thread


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinesmokythebear
mycologicly insane
Male

Registered: 10/22/13
Posts: 23
Loc: pnw
Last seen: 5 years, 3 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22158166 - 08/28/15 07:44 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Ok will do thanks, and thats a good idea with the foil on the bottom shelf! I dont have a hygrometer and heard most of them suck unless you want to pay a decent amount for one, wich id rather not so I think il do what you did and become one with the gh lol.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
InvisiblePastywhyteMDiscord
Say hello to my little friend
Male User Gallery


Registered: 09/15/12
Posts: 37,810
Loc: Canada Flag
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: smokythebear]
    #22158207 - 08/28/15 08:01 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

Need to fill that bad boy up, that cake is decent but I wanna see a half dozen trays going in there :rockon:

Nice build tho, I expect good pics soon :awesomenod:


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineIamthatIam
Stranger
Male


Registered: 08/28/15
Posts: 9
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: Pastywhyte]
    #22158245 - 08/28/15 08:12 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

She's sitting empty and dry now, friend. I'm now working on starting a mushroom farm - oysters, portobellos, etc. Those pictures are from a few months ago. I just wanted to be sure to contribute to this forum that helped me so much. I wanted to share this greenhouse tek that is as simple as possible and still very productive. There are a lot of unnecessary modifications I've seen around. They work too, but are not really necessary.


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisibleeatyualive
Eat's You Alive :)
 User Gallery


Registered: 08/17/01
Posts: 19,026
Loc: In Your Head
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Fully automated Martha grow chamber! [Re: IamthatIam]
    #22158819 - 08/28/15 11:11 PM (8 years, 5 months ago)

nice looking cakes you have there. seedling flats will maximize your surface area.



--------------------
EAT GETS SHIT DONE


:flame::chief:JOIN THE POW WOW:chief::flame:


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1

Shop: North Spore Bulk Substrate   Mushroom-Hut Substrate Mix   Left Coast Kratom Buy Kratom Extract   PhytoExtractum Maeng Da Thai Kratom Leaf Powder   Bridgetown Botanicals Bridgetown Botanicals   Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* fully automated grow chamber temp / lighting quest joyride 2,993 3 06/26/02 04:30 PM
by bassplayer74
* Re: STP - AUTOMATED GROW CHAMBER!!! Anonymous 3,705 13 01/23/00 09:28 PM
by shane67
* heating grow chamber monkeylove 4,568 7 05/24/02 01:57 PM
by C12H17N204P
* Growing chamber question? Crete 1,435 2 12/23/01 10:37 AM
by razer
* Great Grow Chamber SixTango 2,234 13 11/09/02 04:07 PM
by SixTango
* covert grow chamber SoulJah2 2,002 2 08/17/02 08:22 AM
by Frog31337
* another grow chamber cbull 1,964 7 05/18/02 11:58 AM
by mushman420
* FOR SALE- hydrapod grow chamber (great condition) BashoPoem 2,228 12 02/12/02 07:11 AM
by Mitchnast

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: Shroomism, george castanza, RogerRabbit, veggie, mushboy, fahtster, LogicaL Chaos, 13shrooms, Stipe-n Cap, Pastywhyte, bodhisatta, Tormato, Land Trout, A.k.a
6,610 topic views. 22 members, 239 guests and 44 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2024 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.024 seconds spending 0.005 seconds on 12 queries.