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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
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"De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output
#5320693 - 02/20/06 04:58 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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For those of you who use the cool mist in a small tub chamber, you've probably experienced some mist output. Mist, for those of you who don't know, is not the same thing as humidity (water vapor). Mist is water in a liquid state in tiny balls in the air. If the balls are super tiny, you get a white cloud-like effect as you've seen from ultrasonic humidifiers. If the droplet size is larger, you get what you see coming out of a cool mist.
Normally, when one uses a cool mist in a home, the balls evaporate in the air or immediately after landing on the surrounding surfaces. That is because in a normal home the relative humidity is low (probably under 40% if someone is using a cool mister). In a mushroom tub, though, the relative humidity can be in excess of 90%, and those drops can linger and collect on the surfaces they land. This can be a problem leaving standing water on the mushroom chamber floor or, worse yet, on mycelium.
When cool mists were first recommended for tiny mushroom chambers, it was suggested that the output of the cool mist be run through a long garden hose to make sure the mist hits the hose's walls. This was a basic way of demisting the output, but it doesn't work perfectly (some mist makes it out) and it won't work for larger hoses very well at all.
A better way is to use a small amount of some material that will stop the mist but allow the humid air past with almost no back pressure (since cool mist units can't push air). This is a pretty hard material to find, but I found something that works very well, excelsior moss (many craft stores carry it):

This stuff is amazingly resistant to mist yet allows humid air through with very little back pressure. I have been using it in my 1" PVC tube in my own set up for some time now:
 
I use about the amount of a golf ball in the tube. I don't pack it tight, just tight enough to get the job done. By using this material, the output is mist-free and the water chamber lasts a much longer time than before when I used to eject mist. I don't have to fill the chamber but once every few days even running 24/7.
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Blek
Stranger


Registered: 08/17/05
Posts: 983
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5320731 - 02/20/06 05:05 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Wow good idea! Good post. I'm stickin with my ultrasonic though
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Blue Helix
bold hand


Registered: 02/02/03
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blek] 1
#5320776 - 02/20/06 05:15 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Blek, I use both ultrasonic and cool mist. In a small chamber, like a tub, they serve slightly different purposes. A cool mist provides a lot of fresh, humid air. It can be run 24/7. An ultrasonic provides an ideal type of mist for moistening casings. It's way more effective than a squirt botttle at watering a tray without harming mycelium. In a larger set up either cool mist or ultrasonic are about the same since the mist will evaporate while falling.
If you use an ultrasonic, just make sure you don't overdo it and create standing water. I pulse mine on for a minute or two each hour and keep the cool mist running all the time.
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Blek
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5320887 - 02/20/06 05:42 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Blue Helix said: Blek, I use both ultrasonic and cool mist.
Me too 
I don't put any water in my coolmist though, I only use it for FAE.



I think I'm going to move the ultrasonic to the bottom of my martha though. You're definately right about watching the ultrasonic's output!! I had puddles in one of my casings
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NESpores
Formerly MyLady


Registered: 04/17/05
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blek]
#5320942 - 02/20/06 05:58 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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im lucky, i got an ultrasonic for free  gotta love dumpster diving!
-------------------- Did your grow fail, and now your out of spores? Problem Solved. Check out my CakeSaver Tek. http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5236115/an/0/page/0
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scatmanrav
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Registered: 05/08/04
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: NESpores]
#5322540 - 02/20/06 11:43 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Excellent!
Have you noticed anything growing in the moss, contamination or any sort of thing, if its been running for some time now? I'm in a fight right now trying to take back my house from the nasties...
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Blue Helix
bold hand


Registered: 02/02/03
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: scatmanrav]
#5322615 - 02/21/06 12:07 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Scatmanrav, I thought about that when I started using the moss and started adding 1/8th cup (2 tablespoons) of hydrogen peroxide per filling of the cool mister just to avoid any trouble. I doubt hydrogen peroxide can even survive as a vapor as it's fairly unstable and breaks down easily to water and oxygen, so it probably never even reaches the casing. I didn't notice any negative effects at all from the hydrogen peroxide, and the moss is staying fresh. I would toss the moss, though, if you are going to store the unit for awhile. It's not expensive, so there is not point to trying to save it anyway.
I thought about this problem for a long time and had tried all sorts of fluffy materials made of plastic before trying the moss. I was shocked at how well it works. Nothing I have tried works nearly as well.
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scatmanrav
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5322709 - 02/21/06 01:01 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Did you ever try polyfil? I would imagine so, but wonder why the moss works and polyfil doesnt..
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hyphae
born to grow


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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: scatmanrav]
#5323083 - 02/21/06 06:23 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Polyfil is much denser/ closer weaved.
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Blue Helix
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5323527 - 02/21/06 10:33 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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I tried polyfil and as Hyphae said, it's denser and becomes waterlogged very easily. I have also tried plastic scrub pads with comparable density to this material, but they did not work either. It seems that plastic, once dense enough to do what I want, beads the water on the surface and blocks off air flow. This stuff soaks in the water like a wick and then drips it back or releases it into the air passing over it. I don't think you could get the same effect with plastic.
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scatmanrav
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5324121 - 02/21/06 01:47 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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>It seems that plastic, once dense enough to do what I want, beads the water on the surface and blocks off air flow. This stuff soaks in the water like a wick and then drips it back or releases it into the air passing over it.
Ah, I understand now, thank you..this will come in handy..
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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: scatmanrav]
#5326796 - 02/22/06 01:02 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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One thing I should add to this post is that this form of de-misting works REALLY well if done right. That means that the output is really mist free and close to 100% RH. Without any mist in the air, it will demonstrate temperature/humidity laws of physics which may not be expected. For example the let's say the cool mist output is at 100% RH at 73F (cool mists do cool the air slightly). Now let's say that air heats up to 78F in your chamber. The RH of that air will drop to around 85%. If you want the air to be more humid in the chamber you'll have to introduce some form of standing water in the chamber like wet perlite, wet casings, misted walls, etc. Personally, I'd rather control where the water will be myself rather than spray mist all over the place.
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Oatman2000
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5327640 - 02/22/06 11:12 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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blue helix...
how does this keep back pressure away?
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Blue Helix
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Registered: 02/02/03
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5328323 - 02/22/06 02:59 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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What I am saying is that the material itself doesn't create back pressure. If you run a narrow garden hose or whatever, you will still have back pressure.
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liloldme
( ͝° ͜ʖ͡°)つ=D


Registered: 05/15/04
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#5328444 - 02/22/06 03:47 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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I think they are talking about the air resistance that the hose will create, like blowing through a straw for example.
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em_bre_O
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Registered: 05/27/02
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#7369998 - 09/05/07 07:37 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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This works REALLY good
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dysphoria
lost soul


Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 1,651
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: em_bre_O]
#7370893 - 09/05/07 01:32 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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i use a fine mesh metal hand strainer placed over the output. it accomplishes the same thing...stopping massive water droplets before drenching everything, while allowing humidity through.
though the merit of the moss is clearly the ability to stuff a hose full of it. had my humidifier been modified for a hose, this would be perfect for me.
also, its my belief that iodine is a much better chemical to use to keep the water in humidifiers clean. theres nothing wrong with hydrogen peroxide...except that it breaks down within a day or two of being in the water, and requires half a bottle or more to really have any benefits. iodine is perfectly safe for mushrooms (when used in this method), and you only need 1-2 drops per gallon of water. just my two cents anyway.
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Blutjager
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Registered: 06/11/06
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: dysphoria]
#7371160 - 09/05/07 02:44 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Iodine huh I like the idea
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BurleyPsila
EnthoMyco-Botany


Registered: 07/13/14
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Blue Helix]
#20320268 - 07/24/14 07:25 AM (9 years, 6 months ago) |
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What a great idea! Thanks for the knowledge Helix! peace
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Mr. Alien
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Registered: 01/14/14
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: BurleyPsila]
#20320582 - 07/24/14 09:05 AM (9 years, 6 months ago) |
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8 years old post lol
Edited by Mr. Alien (07/24/14 09:07 AM)
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BurleyPsila
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Registered: 07/13/14
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Mr. Alien]
#20326142 - 07/25/14 10:00 AM (9 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Mr. Alien said: 8 years old post lol
Still valid knowledge though... perhaps modified over the past 8 yrs but a good basis to work off/second opinion sorta thing
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Mr. Alien
I will abduct andprobe your anus



Registered: 01/14/14
Posts: 6,290
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: BurleyPsila]
#20326151 - 07/25/14 10:01 AM (9 years, 6 months ago) |
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i fixed mine with polyfil idk why they said it wont work with poly.
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BurleyPsila
EnthoMyco-Botany


Registered: 07/13/14
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Re: "De-mist-ifying" a cool mist's output [Re: Mr. Alien]
#20331044 - 07/26/14 08:21 AM (9 years, 6 months ago) |
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I just got a sansai ultrasonic 5.8 L humidifier... so what i am going to do is modify it, i think i will remove the5.8L tank and replace it with a larger tank that i will connect up to the machine, i am also going to try and extend the tubing where the mist gets released from making it so it reaches into the holes i have made for it in my greenhouse, so i have the machine working outside, but pumping mist inside. i hope it all woorks! should do, i like this item as it has good settings for instance 2 hrs on and 2 off and can pump out mist for 12 hours straight on the 5.8L tank. AND IT MAKES NO NOISE! :P
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