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aspiringmyconoob
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Registered: 04/18/20
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just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems
#26638993 - 04/30/20 01:14 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Hi guys,
I of course come again seeking your knowledge and guidance, you guys have been great and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Last night I spawned 2 monotubs, each has 2 pounds of rye berries and 5 pounds of compost consisting of composted horse manure, organic coconut coir, vermiculite, and gypsum. I layered substrate, spawn, substrate, spawn, substrate. The substrate depth is about 2 inches, a little more/less in spots. I probably should have just combined everything in one tub to have a thicker 4-5 inch substrate, but I've seen people do 2 inches and be fine. I kind of figured if I did 2 tubs and had problems with one, at least I would potentially have a back up tub. I know much more now and will do more spawn/substrate next time.
I have the holes taped with packing tape and the bottom is lined with a black liner. I just put the lid on and did not wrap the lid or tub to allow for some gas exchange. One tub's lid fits fairly flush with the tub, the other one definitely does not fit as tight because there are spots where you can tell the lid isn't flush because you can push it down to close it better.
I woke up this morning and noticed that one of my tubs has a lot more condensation on the walls and around the taped holes compared to the other tub which has minimal condensation and almost none around the taped holes. The tub with the condensation to is also the tub where the lid doesn't sit as flush with the tub. The taped holes showing condensation are also on the side of the tub where the lid doesn't close tighter/sit flush with the tub. I figured the extra condensation around the taped holes was probably caused by free air exchange and more than just the gas exchange I want from the lid. I added extra tape around the holes to prevent free air exchange. I fiddled with the lid and was not happy with how loose it was, plus I smelled around the lid to see if I could smell the tub and one corner had enough of a gap that I could smell the tub. I decided to tape down the corners and sides of the tub to prevent free air exchange.
Should I just remove the tape from the holes and redo it? I don't want to keep messing with it if I don't have to so I reduce the risk of contamination, but I will if need be. Will taping down the lids prevent too much gas exchange? I've read that you definitely need some gas exchange to prevent anaerobic conditions for some beneficial bacteria in the compost. From what I've read, some substrates like composted manure need more gas exchange compared to other substrates. I don't wanna starve my tub of gas exchange, but I don't want to allow free gas exchange before it's colonized and dry it out and start early pinning.
I know this was a long post, but I really want to do this correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated guys, thank you so much for the knowledge and help that I have already received.


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mushpunx
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Registered: 04/20/14
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: aspiringmyconoob]
#26639062 - 04/30/20 01:44 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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I'm not exactly sure how much 2lbs works out to quarts but it doesn't sound like a lot of spawn, I would have made one tub. But shallow subs are okay.
Next time don't layer. Mix evenly.
Don't worry about condensation, it's not a problem. It will come and go with temperature changes.
Don't tape the lid down. And most of us have stopped doing spawn runs. We put our tubs into "fruiting conditions" directly after spawning.
This will not increase the risk of contamination. You spawned your tubs in open air, they have already been exposed to plenty of contaminants. If a tub contaminates, it's almost always because of contaminated spawn.
How did you prepare the horse manure? Horse poo needs to be pasturized, did you do that? Most of us have stopped using horse poo for cubes. Coir will give you just as good results and it's much less work to prepare because you don't need to pasturize it.
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aspiringmyconoob
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: mushpunx]
#26639148 - 04/30/20 02:17 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Thank you for responding. The spawn to substrate ratio was the minimum recommended ratio per the supplier. As a newbie, I wanted to just get the process of growing down before also making my own spawn and substrate. I purchased the sterlizied rye bags and the compost from shroomsupply.com The compost is prepasteurized and apparently people are highly satisfied with their spawn and substrate. They recommend 2 pounds of spawn to one of their 5 pound bags of compost/substrate. Yes, I hope the depth just doesn't get too shallow in spots, it seems to be about 2 inches +/- a few in most places.
I debated the layering and read through many, many posts where they debated it. I saw some of the more well known people on here like roger rabbit recommend layering so I just went with layering. From your experience, what are the pros/cons to layering or mixing?
Ok, yeah the condensation worried me because I thought it was too much air flow from the corner where I could smell the tub. I'm afraid it might dry out the substrate since I can smell it which means some humidity is probably leaving the tub too. Could you see where the tape overlapped and you can see moisture between the layers or something?
Interesting, you go straight to fruiting, are there benefits to it or anything to consider? So do you start misting and fanning right off of the bat then? Do you use polyfill or micropore? I saw a post by pasteywhite I believe and he stated from his research that either are fine. I have read that contamination from spawning a tub is less likely, but with my luck I would have something get in there and wreak havoc on my substrate lol.
The compost was prepastuerized from the supplier, a lot of people really like their substrate. I know I will eventually just need to make my own spawn and substrate, but as a newbie, it seemed like too much to understand and master my first run. Once I can actually get something to fruit, then I'll look into preparing my own supplies and agar and all of that good stuff.
Thanks again for your time and help, any other tips/information will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
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mushpunx
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: aspiringmyconoob]
#26639182 - 04/30/20 02:28 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Layering is a really old technique. We haven't done that in many years haha. Read the dates on threads, watch out for out dated info.
You can use polyfill or micropore, it's preference. I think it's easier to dial in tubs more consistently using micropore. I used to start with 2 layers over the bottom 4 holes and one layer on the top holes. You can go ahead and do that now.
Fanning is unnecessary. Don't bother fanning. Monotubs only need a misting if they are overly dry. Just set them up and let them be.
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aspiringmyconoob
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: mushpunx]
#26639222 - 04/30/20 02:45 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Damn haha, I really hope the layering doesn't slow things or prevent full colonization. Why did people move away from layering?
Yeah I really like the idea of micropore tape, it definitely in theory would seem easier to adjust with more consistent results than polyfill.
Ok, no fanning. What about having a fan in the room on low with indirect airflow to the tubs? Being a noob, I went above and beyond and complicated things more than they really probably should be. I bought a small hydroponic hepa fresh air/humidity system that will be ran from a hygrometer to maintain adequate humidity and to help with fresh air lol. I was going to add it when I went into fruiting. Yes, it's probably not needed, but it was fairly cheap and should prevent a dry substrate/humidity problems eventually (in theory) lol.
All I can say is I've learned so much and continue to learn everyday. This first grow is definitely a crap shoot, but I really appreciate everyone's help and feedback.
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mushpunx
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: aspiringmyconoob]
#26639446 - 04/30/20 04:41 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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I guess because it's just better to mix it up, it'll colonized faster, more thoroughly.
You can have a fan in the room if you want, I never do though.
Your HEPA/humidity thing, you just run that in the room right? Totally unnecessary but probably won't hurt anything.
If the substrate was made at field capacity, and you dial your tub in correctly, the substrate will provide it's own humidity. They only humidity that matters is right at substrate surface level.
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Kimble
Idiot


Registered: 03/08/18
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: mushpunx]
#26639470 - 04/30/20 04:54 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Mixing first in a bucket then filling the tub helps. I found out the hard way.
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mushpunx
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: Kimble]
#26639490 - 04/30/20 05:04 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Kimble said: Mixing first in a bucket then filling the tub helps. I found out the hard way.
Yeah that does make it easier if you have a liner.
I had like 50 tubs all with holes, so before I moved I was still running traditional monotubs with micropore and liners cut from plastic drop cloth so I could lift the subs out to make harvest easier.
Now that I moved though, I'm switching to unmodified tubs with no liners. It's just a better way of doing it, mix in the tub, no messing with poly or tape, and I think they dial in much healthier that way
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aspiringmyconoob
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: mushpunx]
#26645878 - 05/03/20 12:23 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Well I will definitely mix next time then, and I might use a fan if it seems like they're not getting enough air flow.
The hepa/humidity has a hose that feeds the fresh air/humidity directly into the monotub. I bought a hygrometer to hook the hepa/humidity thing into. The hygrometer has a probe that goes into the monotub and measures the humidity. You set whatever humidity range you want and it will automatically kick on when need be. I was just worried about everything drying out with the summer coming and the air conditioning will be running.
Sounds like I should be good without it, but I guess I'll have it if need be. Thanks again for your time and help.
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aspiringmyconoob
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: Kimble]
#26645884 - 05/03/20 12:25 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Ahh icic, I will definitely be mixing next time. Yeah I'm learning a lot of things the hard way unfortunately. Thanks for your help
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mushpunx
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Registered: 04/20/14
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: aspiringmyconoob]
#26646143 - 05/03/20 02:19 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yeah pumping humidity into a tub like that is actually counter productive. Don't use it.
👍
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aspiringmyconoob
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Re: just spawned monotubs, ran into some problems [Re: mushpunx]
#26646314 - 05/03/20 03:40 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
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Why is that? Is it because it won't be allowed enough time for enough evaporation to trigger pinning? I guess maybe if I do run into dryness problems I'll have a possible solution. I'm afraid I might run into some problems with the substrate depth only being about 2 inches, but time will tell.
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