Home | Community | Message Board

MRCA Tyroler Gluckspilze
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: Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Mushroom-Hut Liquid Cultures   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   Left Coast Kratom Buy Kratom Capsules   North Spore Bulk Substrate   Bridgetown Botanicals CBD Concentrates   OlympusMyco.com No Unicorns Here—Just Quality Bags That Work   Myyco.com Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder   MagicBag.co Certified Organic All-In-One Grow Bags

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Next >  [ show all ]
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Diagnosing my contamination issues/reviewing technique * 3
    #28180201 - 02/09/23 09:27 PM (1 year, 11 months ago)

I’m using this as a running list of what I’ve been doing and what I’m going to change.  When I started out - things were going great until they weren’t.  So I’ve been trying to brainstorm every possible point of contamination.  I am thinking it’s falling somewhere in the grain prep and transfer from agar to grain and I’m trying to take a step back to look at everything I’m doing from technique to equipment to location. 

I took about 6 months off to regroup.  I made agar a few weeks ago and did transfers which are looking nice. My next step is to prep grain and I’m wanting to make sure I’m addressing everything and getting rid of bad habits I’ve picked up.

This is more for me to try to keep track and journal what I’m doing - but if you can follow along with my all over the place notes and have any constructive feedback - please share. 



Setup/steps/things I’ve tried

Items to address/concerns/possible solutions -

General SAB work-
1. Rushing
    1. Lack of time to focus
    2. Rough edges on arm holes scrape up skin - subconsciously trying to hurry to avoid contact
2. Workspaces
    1. Closet
        1. Carpet and clothes can hold mold spores - mini flood in May
        2. While there is no air flow - any movement in a small area can stir up contam
        3. Was working on lid of SAB due to lack of a large enough surface which is not ideal
    2. Desk area in bedroom
        1. Desk top not completely level
        2. Carpet presents same risk
        3. Airflow possible from heater and/or door
3. Sanitation
    1. Unsure if alcohol lamp is hot enough or if I am flaming long enough to kill possible contam
    2. Arm holes can scrape skin cells off arms into SAB

Grain Prep
Additional concerns:
1. Pressure Cooker -
    1. Tfal 23 quart PC. Goes to 15 PSI. 
    2. Currently bring up to 15 PSI - then vent for 10 minutes - then bring back to 15 PSI
    3. Is 10 minutes enough to fully vent?  Per instructions yes.
2. Grains
    1. Unsure if grains were completely dry before PCing
    2. Concerned that grains were PCd too long or not long enough
3. Equipment
    1. Currently using unmodified plastic lids
        1. Are these the right lids?
        2. Can contam get in or stay in rubber gasket?  If there is no rubber gasket - could they be getting in through the lid?
        3. How many cycles are plastic lids good for?

Possible changes to grain prep
1. Change to Presto?
2. Ensure grains have enough time to dry
3. Change to modified metal lids or modified plastic lids

Agar transfer to grain:
In addition to SAB concerns noted above
1. Are the jars and equipment wiped down before starting in SAB?
2. What is the ideal capacity of jars in a SAB?  Too many would reduce work space.  Is crowding in SAB an issue?
3. Have been cutting agar into small pieces - tic tac drop - before transfer.  Am I doing this incorrectly in a way that introduce more contam?
4. Are plates open too long during transfer if transferring from one plate to multiple jars? Currently closing in between - is that the best option?
5. Is scalpel being cleaned fully before working?
6. Is scalpel hovering during transfers?
7. Should I only work off one plate during SAB session to reduce chance of cross contamination
8. Are jars open too long during transfer?  Are they also being clam shelled correctly?

Fruiting stage:
1. Do coir and verm need to be stored sterile?
2. Currently rehydrating coir and verm in 5 gallon bucket with lid
    1. Adding boiling water
        1. Using electric kettle
        2. Adding 1 liter at a time
3. 6 quart shoeboxes - unmodified
4. 20 quart gasket tubs
    1. EZ dial holes drilled
    2. Lined with clear trash bags or white trash bags
5. Mix substrate and grain in a separate trash bag to ensure everything is completely mixed and then pour into prepped tub



Teks followed:
Agar - Instant pot - pressure is high enough to make agar https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/27090797
Mixed with Bods

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/22721954/vc/1#22721954

For oats -Bod

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=24126032&page=0&vc=1#24126032



Foomans WBS

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8508523

Reverse Foomans WBS

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/24884022

For grain
Pasty’s tic tac drop

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/22601023

Tubs - Pasty’s ez-dial tub with 20 quart sterlite tubs

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/26140339/fpart/1/vc/1/nt/13


Not tried -yet Franks WBS

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/17252080


**********************************
Changes already made:
Setup
1. Changed location to different house
    1. No carpet
    2. Glass covered table
    3. No airflow
    4. Open space
2. Added rubber gaskets to arm hole to reduce chance of irritation or skin cells entering environment

Agar transfer - Steps taken
1. Clean out SAB inside with alcohol
2. Clean off racks with soap and water, then alcohol
3. Add new scalpel blade to scalpel
4. Wipe off all items being used with alcohol
5. Place all items in SAB and spray entire area with alcohol.  Let sit for 30 minutes
6. Be conscious of hovering with scalpel over plates
7. Ensure clamshell on plates during transfer
8. Wear n94 mask while working in SAB
9. Allow for more time to do SAB work

Edited by MushyMom (02/09/23 10:02 PM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineBrandyjbassgirl
Stranger
 User Gallery

Registered: 10/04/22
Posts: 1
Last seen: 1 year, 7 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique *DELETED* *DELETED* [Re: MushyMom]
    #28180222 - 02/09/23 09:49 PM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Post deleted by Brandyjbassgirl

Reason for deletion: I figured it out

Edited by Brandyjbassgirl (02/09/23 09:57 PM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OnlineBeefSupremeJr
Detritivore
Male User Gallery


Registered: 11/02/11
Posts: 8,725
Loc: 29.9792° N, 31.1342° E
Last seen: 4 minutes, 50 seconds
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: Brandyjbassgirl] * 1
    #28180229 - 02/09/23 09:58 PM (1 year, 11 months ago)

I like my grain tek better than bods if youre a visual learner.
I use wheat but the process is approximately the same.

https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/28148316/vc/1#28148316

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: BeefSupremeJr]
    #28180291 - 02/09/23 11:45 PM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Thank you for sharing your write up. I haven’t seen wheat out here but I like how you are drying your grain - especially since that was something I have been looking at.

I do think it’s also important to take climate into consideration - I kind of wish that teks could be broken up by climates. Like what works in Florida might not work in Montreal lol

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OnlineBeefSupremeJr
Detritivore
Male User Gallery


Registered: 11/02/11
Posts: 8,725
Loc: 29.9792° N, 31.1342° E
Last seen: 4 minutes, 50 seconds
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: MushyMom] * 1
    #28180298 - 02/10/23 12:10 AM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Quote:

MushyMom said:
Thank you for sharing your write up. I haven’t seen wheat out here but I like how you are drying your grain - especially since that was something I have been looking at.

I do think it’s also important to take climate into consideration - I kind of wish that teks could be broken up by climates. Like what works in Florida might not work in Montreal lol




mostly rh is the main factor to consider. im from a very dry climate. 

wheat is cheap where im at. about 50lbs for 12$.  can be bought at animal feed stores. Chances are if you can buy bulk oats you can buy bulk wheat.  I didnt like how chaffy oats were but lots of people use them fine. 

the main issue youre gonna have is differences in the way people fruit.  Some people can just take the lid off their tub and fruit in in the open air without bruising.  You gotta kinda dial it in for yourself and learn how to manage your surface conditions.

theres a great tek for that. this has to be one of the most commonly visited teks on this forum and with good reason.
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/23999053/fpart/all/vc/1

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisibledowodenum
Noob Pope
 User Gallery


Registered: 08/05/19
Posts: 1,268
Loc: 🇨🇦
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: BeefSupremeJr] * 1
    #28180305 - 02/10/23 12:34 AM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Wow, comprehensive. Kudos for being so diligent.

I'll address a few that I know can help you:

Quote:

2. Rough edges on arm holes scrape up skin - subconsciously trying to hurry to avoid contact




Use some packing tape in straight strips around the circumference of the hole, uh... gloryhole style? That, or lightly hit the edges with a torch until they melt a little and the plastic blobs. Then they won't be so rough. I think people like to heat up a coffee can or similar and melt holes in their SABs (instead of using a saw) for this reason. It's possible to clean up the edges with a scalpel, but one little slip and suddenly you have a big crack in your shiny new SAB.

Quote:

1. Unsure if alcohol lamp is hot enough or if I am flaming long enough to kill possible contam




A propane torch will go faster, with the right nozzle. A nice piezo button-start one avoids having to dial the flame back and keep it going as you work.

For transfers, try a syringe needle jammed securely on the end of a long nail. Needles heat red hot in seconds via torch, compared to ~15 seconds for a #11 scalpel.

Quote:

2. Currently bring up to 15 PSI - then vent for 10 minutes - then bring back to 15 PSI
    3. Is 10 minutes enough to fully vent?  Per instructions yes.




Bring to boil without pressure, until steam is venting hard. Then vent 15-20 minutes. Then add the weight and bring to >15 PSI.

Quote:

1. Change to Presto?




Shouldn't be necessary. Consider adding some weight to the pressure weight so it goes to 17 PSI. "I put 3 quarters (15-18 grams) of weight on top of my jiggle weight."


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


🅃 🄴 🄰 🄼  🄲 🅄 🅁 🄸 🄾 🅄 🅂

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: dowodenum] * 1
    #28180330 - 02/10/23 01:28 AM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Thank you for the feedback.

So with the tfal - you can’t put weights on it.  The main reason why I was considering changing was because most of the teks seem to be written for the presto. 

I’ve been bringing it to 15 PSI then venting then bringing back to 15 PSI.  I can bring it to a boil and let it steam for 10-15 minutes and then close off the pressure.  That would make more sense.

I’ve always taken my scalpel out to flame it.  I just watched a video with a guy who had a torch in his SAB.  Never knew that was a possibility.  Last week I did the SAB work at my friends house and when I needed to torch the scalpel - I would slowly take it out of the SAB - and hold it out to her and she would torch it with a butane lighter.  Doesn’t work if you don’t have a friend to hold the button LOL.

For the arms - I wound up getting a rubber channel liner that someone else recommended.  I had tried melting the arms with the butane lighter but it didn’t smooth it out enough.  I’m hoping this rubber liner works and doesn’t create a new vector for contamination because it was incredibly comfortable to work with.

Edited by MushyMom (02/10/23 01:56 AM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Invisibledowodenum
Noob Pope
 User Gallery


Registered: 08/05/19
Posts: 1,268
Loc: 🇨🇦
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: MushyMom] * 1
    #28180348 - 02/10/23 02:16 AM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Ahh my bad, didn't know that about the tfal.

Torch in the SAB can work, if you've got enough space and you're not using isopropyl. Or you can cut a hole to stick your scalpel through and flame it outside while keeping your hands inside lol, some people prefer that for the ergonomics.

I know San Pedro Girl glued PVC pipe in her SAB arm holes, and even went as far as getting pipe caps and attaching handles to them. It's quite the setup.


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


🅃 🄴 🄰 🄼  🄲 🅄 🅁 🄸 🄾 🅄 🅂

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: dowodenum]
    #28180643 - 02/10/23 08:53 AM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Quote:

dowodenum said:

I know San Pedro Girl glued PVC pipe in her SAB arm holes, and even went as far as getting pipe caps and attaching handles to them. It's quite the setup.




Wow! That sounds amazing.

I think the rough edges were messing with my brain. My skin would welt up every time it would touch the edges. I noticed a huge difference in my comfort level last time and I think it helped to mentally slow me down

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinenormalperson
Stranger
 User Gallery

Registered: 10/31/19
Posts: 785
Last seen: 5 days, 9 hours
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: MushyMom] * 1
    #28180768 - 02/10/23 10:43 AM (1 year, 11 months ago)

sometimes people make the armholes too small, mistakenly thinking this will help keep contamination out. the holes need to be large enough to allow your arms to move freely, never ever bumping the edge.  knocking into any part of the sab will vibrate loose contaminates. also, there is no good reason for making the armholes round, a square or rectangle is fine. Mist the inside with soapy water, not iso.

Edited by normalperson (02/10/23 10:51 AM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OnlineBeefSupremeJr
Detritivore
Male User Gallery


Registered: 11/02/11
Posts: 8,725
Loc: 29.9792° N, 31.1342° E
Last seen: 4 minutes, 50 seconds
Trusted Cultivator
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: normalperson] * 1
    #28180782 - 02/10/23 10:57 AM (1 year, 11 months ago)

they need to be big enough for my big ass mitts to put a jar through the hole. i really wanna mod my sab like spg too.  thats the next best thing to a flow hood.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: normalperson]
    #28180848 - 02/10/23 12:03 PM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Quote:

normalperson said:
sometimes people make the armholes too small, mistakenly thinking this will help keep contamination out. the holes need to be large enough to allow your arms to move freely, never ever bumping the edge.  knocking into any part of the sab will vibrate loose contaminates. also, there is no good reason for making the armholes round, a square or rectangle is fine. Mist the inside with soapy water, not iso.




Yeah I used the coffee can method.  I think the holes are big enough but my arm strength is lacking and after a while they start to get tired and droop.  Also moving the ISO out and the soap in

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: BeefSupremeJr]
    #28180850 - 02/10/23 12:04 PM (1 year, 11 months ago)

Quote:

BeefSupremeJr said:
they need to be big enough for my big ass mitts to put a jar through the hole. i really wanna mod my sab like spg too.  thats the next best thing to a flow hood.



yeah I have a friend who’s offering to make me a flow hood but I feel like if I don’t get my shit down in the SAB first a flow hood won’t make things any better.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: dowodenum] * 1
    #28181189 - 02/10/23 04:31 PM (1 year, 11 months ago)

I think you may have hit on a big issue.  I’ve been overcooking my grains.  I have been bringing them up to 15 PSI - then venting and then cooking at 15 PSI.  As I’ve dealt with contam I’ve tried to compensate by cooking longer.  I think this is a biggie for my grain prep so THANK YOU for reading what I wrote and commenting.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: MushyMom]
    #28203954 - 02/25/23 11:40 AM (1 year, 10 months ago)

Updating for myself.  Agar is looking great.  Prepped grain yesterday.  Used WBS.  Washed, rinsed and brought to a boil.  Turned off heat and let sit for an hour.  Drained and let sit in strainers for 2 hours.  Loaded into jars - Unmodified plastic lids - closed and then loosened slightly.  Covered lids with tin foil.  PC’d - vented for 10 minutes, then closed valve and PC’d for 90 minutes.  Let sit for an hour and then opened PC.  Jars too hot to touch - loosely covered PC and let sit overnight in PC.
Concerns: Rainy day - could not get grains as dry as I would like before loading into jars.
Expecting to prep more jars this week and will be transferring agar to grain soon.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinephenyl
Stupid person
Female User Gallery


Registered: 09/03/22
Posts: 544
Loc: One toke over the line
Last seen: 7 hours, 41 minutes
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: MushyMom] * 1
    #28204100 - 02/25/23 01:05 PM (1 year, 10 months ago)

I don't see anything mentioned about reasonably ruling out cultures contaminated with enmeshed bacteria or fungi. Very annoying and often subtle contamination vector.


--------------------
The fool who persists in his folly will become wise.

Edited by phenyl (02/25/23 01:08 PM)

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineUCLSS22
Just Here For The Show
Male User Gallery


Registered: 02/15/23
Posts: 101
Last seen: 1 year, 7 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: phenyl]
    #28204191 - 02/25/23 02:05 PM (1 year, 10 months ago)

Very good thread with lots of good info.  Interested to see how things turn out. Thanks for the share.  Will be following the progress and taking notes…


--------------------
Nothing worthwhile ever came easy and nothing easy was ever worthwhile.

All of Munch’s Teks
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/26967014

Updated PF Tek Guide
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/24179086/page/3

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMushyMom
Stranger
Registered: 07/19/21
Posts: 246
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: phenyl]
    #28204447 - 02/25/23 05:20 PM (1 year, 10 months ago)

Totally possible. However I’ve used several vendors for spores and I still get contamination which makes me think the problem is me

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
OfflineMycovester
Cool Beans.

Registered: 02/25/23
Posts: 53
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: MushyMom]
    #28204902 - 02/26/23 03:47 AM (1 year, 10 months ago)

Hi Everyone!

I have also had to re visit all my techniques as I was getting attacked left right and centre by mold.

I made a huge mistake at first....

I bought 99.99% Iso to dilute down to 70%. I was mixing it the wrong way (30% Iso, 70% water! duh!) Fixed that.  Yeah I know - Embarrassing.

I tried to use a modified SAB with a hairdryer blowing air through a HEPA filter. Air was to turbulent. Scrapped that SAB and now using a nice simple one.

I was doing the SAB work in my office, where there are a lot of computers and a crypto miner. Air flow will have been crazy turbulent. Fixed that, I now do lab work in the dining room.

So now I set my SAB up, all cleaned down with 70% Iso, everything I need inside. Then I sit down doe 5 minutes and let the air settle before I get started.

Since doing all of this I am now seeing 98% LESS contamination.

Making changes has completely changed my outlook. I was ready to give up.


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


I'm half pencil half mushroom.

It's great.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Offlinephenyl
Stupid person
Female User Gallery


Registered: 09/03/22
Posts: 544
Loc: One toke over the line
Last seen: 7 hours, 41 minutes
Re: Diagnosing contamination issues/reviewing technique [Re: MushyMom] * 1
    #28205008 - 02/26/23 07:00 AM (1 year, 10 months ago)

Quote:

MushyMom said:
Totally possible. However I’ve used several vendors for spores and I still get contamination which makes me think the problem is me




I usually have to clean up some contaminants hiding in the mycelium from syringes regardless of their origin. I think there are some hidden contaminant posts on shroomery, for what they're worth.

It's easier with very dilute spores to separate colonies from one another and targeting rhizomorphic growth if possible -- I suspect the old "go for rhizomorphic growth because it fruits better" advice came from a relative tendency to pull tomentose competitor molds along with tomentose mushroom mycelium.


--------------------
The fool who persists in his folly will become wise.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Next >  [ show all ]

Shop: Kraken Kratom Red Vein Kratom   Mushroom-Hut Liquid Cultures   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   Left Coast Kratom Buy Kratom Capsules   North Spore Bulk Substrate   Bridgetown Botanicals CBD Concentrates   OlympusMyco.com No Unicorns Here—Just Quality Bags That Work   Myyco.com Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale   PhytoExtractum Buy Bali Kratom Powder   MagicBag.co Certified Organic All-In-One Grow Bags


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* Contamination issues kykeon 1,194 1 06/13/02 01:31 AM
by Roger_irrelevant
* Possible contamination issue Drew 874 4 02/26/04 05:34 PM
by Drew
* Oust Air Sanitizer -Review and comments upon
( 1 2 all )
lysergic 4,364 23 12/08/09 06:27 PM
by curbstop
* A little fun with contamination. Cyber 1,449 1 07/29/04 04:36 AM
by MAIA
* Help! Not sure if contaminated... splasher78 955 3 08/12/02 09:02 AM
by kykeon
* Outdoor patches with contaminated cakes? OmegaRed 2,440 14 05/21/03 06:54 PM
by jehst
* Spread of contamination Xherrus 3,697 15 01/28/04 12:27 PM
by Anno
* 100% Contaminent Free Cultivation tHeMaGe 1,679 6 11/12/01 11:38 AM
by amazinblue

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, hamloaf, cronicr, Stipe-n Cap, Pastywhyte, bodhisatta, Tormato, Land Trout, A.k.a
2,425 topic views. 18 members, 75 guests and 53 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2025 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.026 seconds spending 0.005 seconds on 14 queries.