|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
76degrees
Apprentice

Registered: 06/08/06
Posts: 350
Loc: Middle Earth
Last seen: 17 years, 4 months
|
How do you cool an incubator without A/C ??
#5784180 - 06/23/06 03:31 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
I've been searching for a thread on how to cool my incubator. I live in an old house without A/C. Should I use a TiT with ice? Any ideas? Sometimes the temp gets up in the 90's and I'd rather keep the temp closer to 80-83.
-------------------- The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.
|
Zwieback0
Baby Bread


Registered: 08/23/02
Posts: 3,473
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: 76degrees]
#5784234 - 06/23/06 03:48 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Just freeze bottles of water and put in in the terrarium.
|
EquilibriuM
dream stalker

Registered: 07/17/05
Posts: 2,323
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: Zwieback0]
#5784410 - 06/23/06 05:17 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
you should get a/c. it sucks being in a house thats 90+ degrees.
-------------------- HELP!!!!!!!!!
|
FooMan



Registered: 02/02/05
Posts: 8,957
Loc: Earth
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: 76degrees]
#5784819 - 06/23/06 07:58 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
If the temps are getting that high in the house I wouldn't worry about an incubator. You'll need to worry more when it comes time to fruit.
--------------------
Quick WBS Prep
|
splifner180
Student


Registered: 03/24/06
Posts: 1,288
Loc: USA, East Coast
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: FooMan]
#5785390 - 06/23/06 11:01 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Here's a project I whipped up lately but don't use just because (a) temps have cooled down on their own lately in this area of the country and (b) it's kind of a real PiTA (Pain in The Ass). But here it is. Maybe it's your only option.
First, gather:
* a tub the exact same size as your mono (or bottom of your DT). * 2x the number of icepacks you'll need (I used 2 per cycle so I bought 4. * some type of object that is sturdy, contaminant-proof and stands at the perfect height to hold your second tub up. * a few disposable sponges.

Fill the tub with a water. The amount is kinda unknown at this point, you can add or remove later. Drop in the icepacks and somewhat in the center, place the object that will brace the upper tub. I chose a tupperware container but feel free to use your imagination. The important thing is for the brace to not let the tub down so far that water gets into the polyfill holes or that the bottom tub cuts off FAE through those same holes.

Cover the icepacks with sponges to act as a buffer. Don't want the bottom level of myc to freeze.

Insert the top tub and adjust water as needed.

You can't really see it but the sponges give the top tub a bit of buffer. Oh, and add some H2O2 to your water to make sure contams don't start there and maybe work their way into your grow.
I should mention two things.
First, this is mostly untested. I tried it for a day and found that the walls of the bottom tub were hitting 62F which means the bottom myc was probably 5F warmer, around 68F, and the top layer of myc (where the fruits would be) in the low 70's.
Second, as I mentioned, it's are real ballbreaker. You need to swap out those packs every 8 hours. Annoying.
Of course if you want to get really geewiz you can pick up an IceProbe for a hundred bucks. I probably will.
splif
-------------------- First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.
|
76degrees
Apprentice

Registered: 06/08/06
Posts: 350
Loc: Middle Earth
Last seen: 17 years, 4 months
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: splifner180]
#5786060 - 06/24/06 07:48 AM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
splifner180, that's a smart little set up. There doesn't seem to be a lot of threads on this issue. And the default question seems to be, "get A/C!" Basically, you have a more advanced version of what I was already dreaming up. Thx a lot. And thx to the others who offered advice as well. Currently, the temps have been favorable -Optimal even. I'm just worried about a heat wave which is always a possibility. And I think based on your input, I could improvise with stuff I have sitting around the house.
-------------------- The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.
|
splifner180
Student


Registered: 03/24/06
Posts: 1,288
Loc: USA, East Coast
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: 76degrees]
#5787332 - 06/24/06 07:22 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Thanks man. Always happy to hear that someone used my idea. Probably why I hate copyrights.
splif
-------------------- First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.
|
RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure


Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 11 months, 3 days
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: splifner180]
#5789164 - 06/25/06 11:23 AM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Just leave the jars on an open shelf so they can cool off at night. Don't use any sort of box and you'll be ok. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
|
CoolMojo
Imagination iswhat you make ofit

Registered: 10/26/01
Posts: 334
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: RogerRabbit]
#5789442 - 06/25/06 01:42 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
I'd be worried that setup would get it alittle to cold. Also how would adjust for different temps. I mean what do u do if its 90 today and 95 the next? will taking one pack out do the trick?
That setup has potential, probly have to customize it for your area. Personally its alot more work then i'd do. If you just stick a bucket of ice on top of your tub you'd be surprised how much it cools it down.
|
splifner180
Student


Registered: 03/24/06
Posts: 1,288
Loc: USA, East Coast
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: CoolMojo]
#5789884 - 06/25/06 05:02 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
CoolMojo writes: "I'd be worried that setup would get it alittle to cold. Also how would adjust for different temps. I mean what do u do if its 90 today and 95 the next? will taking one pack out do the trick?"
Actually, "too cold" was precisely my worry. I would think that putting only one icepack in wouldn't make it any warmer, it would just cause the pack to melt twice as fast. Just like putting half as much ice into a drink doesn't make it any colder, it just melts the ice faster.
I would think that perhaps placing a wet towel on top of the ice blocks would help buffer the temp. Again, this is a real ghetto, pain-in-the-ass solution.
splif
-------------------- First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.
|
Citric


Registered: 03/19/04
Posts: 4,490
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: splifner180]
#5790055 - 06/25/06 05:53 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Cooling an incubator? Odd question.
If you are having heat issues. Obviousally put the incubator in the coolest part of the house. Secondly, I wouldnt even heat the thing if you have a hot house.
Now, if you do want to heat it, get a good fish tank heater. One that you can easily regulate the tempatures with(Pro Heat works awesome might I add. Little pricey but very reliable).
As said earlier in this thread, do not worry about incubation tempatures if you have a minor heat problem. What you need to be worrying about is your fruiting tempatures, which you would ideally like to get down to mid to low 70s.
Do not get confused. Cubes WILL fruit in 90 degrees(May be slower, smaller yield, ect), however OPTIMAL conditions are mid to low 70s.
-------------------- Self Healing lid tek ** Update 10.17.17 ** Mini casing pictures: Pins to harvest Cup O' Shrooms Magash: I noticed my contams were in the shape of fingers Hyphae: Yes "Loss of moisture from the substrate" is not a casing trigger. My final Grow!
|
splifner180
Student


Registered: 03/24/06
Posts: 1,288
Loc: USA, East Coast
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
|
Re: How do you cool an incubator without A/C ?? [Re: Citric]
#5790428 - 06/25/06 08:18 PM (17 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Oh. I was under the impression this member was trying to cool his monotub for fruiting.
Maybe I just missed something.
splif
-------------------- First Grow: Ecuador -> LC -> HPoo/Straw -> Monotub Build a Do-It-Yourself Magnetic Stirrer in thirty minutes with no money.
|
|