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Doctor Mario
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Critique My Technique 2
#26959523 - 09/28/20 10:21 PM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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I believe that there's always room to improve and sometimes it's easier to see while looking from the outside in. I think this thread could be beneficial for anyone looking for advice. Cultivators with great experience are always trying to diagnose what exactly went wrong with another person's grow and help them succeed but lets be honest, pictures can only show so much. If you've hit a rock that you just cant get past or decide you want someone to critique your technique, please feel free to comment with a video of your process.
I normally have two or three out of 20 plates contam while pouring and another two or three while transferring (video to come). Making this video made me realize that I occasionally get shaky hands. Besides that, is there anything else that I'm doing subpar?
What isn't shown is everything before the video. What I did prior was: lay a wet towel (soapy water) down on the table, and spray soapy water on the inside of the SAB. Next, I sprayed a few mists of the same soapy water into the air of the SAB. After a few minutes, I took a few stacks of blank petri dishes, sprayed them with ISO and carefully put them in position on the towel. Afterwards, I sprayed a new sleeve of petris with ISO, moved it into the SAB and carefully opened the sleeve and placed the stacks ontop of the blank dishes. Finally, I sprayed a few more mists of soapy water into the air of the SAB and went to work. Heres the video. What can I do better next time?
Edited by Doctor Mario (09/28/20 11:05 PM)
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NothingsChanged
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Registered: 05/28/11
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Way to go brother.
Is that a fan running in back ground?
May want to loose the sweat shirt/long sleeves?
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Doctor Mario
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Thank you. All windows are closed and AC is shut off an hour prior to working. What youre likely hearing is the noise of the plates rattling from my ridiculously shaky hands. I'm not usually this shaky while working. I set the box up a little bit too far away from me this time making the pour sesh feel a little awkward. I think I was also a bit nervous knowing that I was making a video for everyone to see.
I've only just started wearing long sleeve shirts because the contams I see the most are bacterial. Sometimes I get mold but its a far lower rate than the off white/yellow blobs that I see. I assumed it's probably from skin cells coming off of my arms.
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Inthepit
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Quote:
NothingsChanged said: Way to go brother. Is that a fan running in back ground? May want to loose the sweat shirt/long sleeves?
I'm confused about security, YouTube, and arm tats, so sleeves. But only agar is being poured...still makes me nervous.
So noob comment, when I pour, I don't bring the bottle all the way back. I'm thinking sloshing and airflow going in and out of the media bottle.
Looks great, I really would like to video, but...YouTube/Google.
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Doctor Mario
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Re: Critique My Technique [Re: Inthepit]
#26959762 - 09/29/20 06:04 AM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Inthepit said: I'm confused about security, YouTube, and arm tats, so sleeves. But only agar is being poured...still makes me nervous.
So noob comment, when I pour, I don't bring the bottle all the way back. I'm thinking sloshing and airflow going in and out of the media bottle.
Looks great, I really would like to video, but...YouTube/Google. 
I wasn't going to mention it but that's also why I wore sleeves. Im literally covered in tats. I'm less paranoid about a governmental agency seeing my vids and more paranoid that someone I know will see them.
I honestly didn't even think about what could happen by bringing the bottle back... Thank you! Comments like that are exactly what I'm looking for.
I'm not sure how important it probably doesn't hurt to strip the metadata from your videos before uploading to YouTube. Everything I'm doing here is for fun and personal experience. It will never be to make a profit and that's what really matters. The government doesn't give a shit what you do unless your making money and they aren't getting a piece of the pie. Even with metadata being stripped from videos and photos, there's always a way they could find you if they wanted to. At that point, we're already fucked anyway. I think you're much more likely to have a bad time if someone that you know says something or sees you in a video or pictures.
Edited by Doctor Mario (09/29/20 06:20 AM)
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MLPismyOPSEC
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Technique looks pretty good, i really only have minor suggestions so here's what i would change. Use a smaller paper towel to wipe down the bottle, like half the size you used. That might be stirring up the air. Use gloves one size smaller, the bunched up ridges could be messing with your tactile sense, and using a slightly too small size would help. I wasn't real clear on the video, but pay attention to where your fingers are on the lid vs where they hover over the plate. I try to grab the lid somewhere between 12-and-6 and 11-and-7, and move it strictly towards 9 o'clock so my fingertips aren't over the open plate, pour at 3 o'clock. Think of everything like you were looking top-down, and limit any non-sterile item going over any sterile item as much as you can possibly manage. Eg. when i pour, i barely have the drip ring hanging over the open plate.
Rereading your post, A) do you spray your petris with iso after opening the sleeve? B) do you spray your SAB with stacks of petris in it? Theoretically that shouldn't cause issues, but practically, i wouldn't recommend that. Petris are sterile in the sleeve (i know you know this, not being condescending) so introducing anything, even iso, is making them less sterile and spraying iso inside the box is definitely stirring the air.
I started out hovering around 14-16% contam rate, and worked down to <1%, took me about 750 petris. I know how frustrating it can be, but if you keep track of your contam rate and little changes in your technique, it's extremely satisfying to get that rate down. Good luck man! You've got this
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Doctor Mario
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Quote:
MLPismyOPSEC said:
Rereading your post, A) do you spray your petris with iso after opening the sleeve? B) do you spray your SAB with stacks of petris in it? Theoretically that shouldn't cause issues, but practically, i wouldn't recommend that. Petris are sterile in the sleeve (i know you know this, not being condescending) so introducing anything, even iso, is making them less sterile and spraying iso inside the box is definitely stirring the air.
I dont spray the plates with iso but I do spray a few mists of soapy water in the box after I put them in there. I take the stack out of the sleeve inside the box and it creates a lot of air movement. I was concerned with stuff floating around and decided that a few mists probably wont hurt but I could very well be wrong.
I like the description you've given on the proper way to hold the plate. I'm taking notes on all advice that is being contributed in this thread and I will definitely do some practice plates tonight. I've only poured 90 plates up to this point and I appreciate the fact that just maybe with your help, it wont take 750 to see a 1% or less contam rate.
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tryptkaloids
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I would omit the spray after removing the plates from the sleeve. Just let the air settle naturally.
Is there any reason you didn't pour the whole stacks?
It might sound counter intuitive, but when I pour i try to keep the empty plates on top completely off to the side, not over the plate im pouring, that way when I shake anything that made it on the outside doesn't fall into the plate
-------------------- "Remember, kids, the difference between science and screwing around is writing it down" -adam savage Flowchart for Recommended plan of action. Learn the tried and true way to grow mushrooms Use the Damn search engine After you know what you're doing, take a break Pick a book, Make some chips! Josex said:Don't take the site seriously bro, ain't worth it.
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dirtybirdx
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Registered: 07/28/20
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If you have stacks of just 9-10 like that - pour from the bottom up. I know it seems crazy at first to balance 10 plates but the point is that your hand goes on the stack one time, and then comes off it once the stack is done - minimal handling.
Once you do it a few times itβs not even difficult and when youβre going quickly it only takes a few seconds to get through those first few plates to where the stack feels secure in your hand again.
And you need a rack to raise your work area off the floor of the SAB, especially when working with plates, because their sides are only 15mm high. Not as necessary if youβre only working with jars.
As far as your sleeves go, hereβs what I do: Iβm always sleeveless, but I have the bowl of soapy water I use to prep my SAB next to me. Whenever I work, I make sure my forearms are soaped up to my elbows. Now when I put my arms in, any airborne contams that come into contact with them get stuck, and donβt fall into my work.
Every 15 minutes when my arms dry, I reapply. Just like I reapply soapy water to the inside of the SAB every 35 mins or so once it dries, if Iβm doing a longer session.
Thatβs just my .02, small stuff.
Looks good π
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tryptkaloids
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Re: Critique My Technique [Re: dirtybirdx]
#26961286 - 09/30/20 12:25 AM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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Yea a cookie cooling rack is a good idea
-------------------- "Remember, kids, the difference between science and screwing around is writing it down" -adam savage Flowchart for Recommended plan of action. Learn the tried and true way to grow mushrooms Use the Damn search engine After you know what you're doing, take a break Pick a book, Make some chips! Josex said:Don't take the site seriously bro, ain't worth it.
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NedRise
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Quote:
Doctor Mario said: Finally, I sprayed a few more mists of soapy water into the air of the SAB and went to work.
What do you hope to gain from that procedure? If you want to wash the air, wouldn't Listerine be more fitting as it also works for breath?
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Inthepit
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Quote:
tryptkaloids said: Yea a cookie cooling rack is a good idea
Ya, son of a gun missed it. And I'll plug my new deal  I would have a clorox damp towel under the rack too, but I was just demonstrating.
Edited by Inthepit (09/30/20 05:54 AM)
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Doctor Mario
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Re: Critique My Technique [Re: NedRise]
#26961508 - 09/30/20 06:36 AM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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Thats all solid advice. I appreciate all the input. I havent found a cooling rack thats quite the length and width I'm looking for. Instead, I've just been using a few blank petri dishes to keep my work a bit higher than ground level. That's why it looks like I'm not pouring the whole stack. Those dishes were used once, cleaned out and wrapped with saran wrap to hold them together.
Quote:
NedRise said:
Quote:
Doctor Mario said: Finally, I sprayed a few more mists of soapy water into the air of the SAB and went to work.
What do you hope to gain from that procedure? If you want to wash the air, wouldn't Listerine be more fitting as it also works for breath?
The theory behind spraying a few mists of water in the SAB is to catch any mold spores that are still floating around and bring them to the floor. Mold spores cant be killed by IPA so I doubt that listerine would either. IPA can actually become contaminated. Just somethin to think about.
I like the idea of keeping your scalpel in the box and heating the blade from the outside. Looks like I'll be putting another hole in my SAB tonight. Thank you!
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Inthepit
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Quote:
I like the idea of keeping your scalpel in the box and heating the blade from the outside. Looks like I'll be putting another hole in my SAB tonight. Thank you!
Oh hot dang! Yes I'm hoping more peeps try it. I spent some time going thru the motions of where the scalpel felt best to exit the SAB.
Then I almost did not allow for the distance from the torch to the actual hot spot of the flame. So far it feels comfortable and with practice I think it'll be a winner. The main point being less air disturbance going in and out of the SAB.
Wow! Wish I had tried the hot coffee can before. The little tomato paste can went thru like butter!
Edited by Inthepit (09/30/20 07:07 AM)
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NothingsChanged
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Re: Critique My Technique [Re: Inthepit]
#26961700 - 09/30/20 09:50 AM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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Couple thought, iso vapors very flammable coming out of your new hole is a possibility.
Blowing hot air across your new hole could be pulling air in through your arm holes.
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Inthepit
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Thanks NC, I'll take your valid concerns and start a hole in the SAB thread. side hole This is the good Doctor's show.
Uh, if I don't blow up first !
Edited by Inthepit (09/30/20 07:18 PM)
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Doctor Mario
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Re: Critique My Technique [Re: Inthepit]
#26962473 - 09/30/20 05:15 PM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Inthepit said: Thanks NC, I'll take your valid concerns and start a hole in the SAB thread. This is the good Doctor's show.
Uh, if I don't blow up first !
Nonsense, anyone is welcome to carry on conversation here as long as it pertains to the title. You shared, your idea and someone critiqed it. Although, you will probably get more feedback by starting a thread about it.
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Inthepit
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CocaineBuffet
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Re: Critique My Technique [Re: Inthepit]
#26962651 - 09/30/20 07:07 PM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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Your technique looks good to me! Steady and slow movements. The way I work in my SAB I have similar success rate but I have to admit I am heavy handed with most things in this hobby.
I think you may be over sanitizing perhaps. I think most members buy sterilized petri dishes (come in vacuum sealed package). I just cut them out of the package and put them into the SAB and don't spray them. Also if you clean your SAB and go to work immediately you may have not allowed enough time for the air to settle and have too much floating around in the space.
If nothing else hopefully my suggestion can help you cut down on using too much on soap or ISO.
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brad81684
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Re: Critique My Technique [Re: Inthepit]
#26962655 - 09/30/20 07:13 PM (3 years, 3 months ago) |
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I use a couple of old petris seran wrapped together as my floor for fresh plates. Pour bottom to top, also I wipe the bottle down outside of the box and put it in. Wiping inside is going to move some air. Sleeves are optional, I dont wear any or soap my arms, to each their own. Your movement seems fine and you'll get better as you go. Before you know it, you'll be doing stacks of 15 in minutes.
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