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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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Testing 1... 2...3... Thread
#5926411 - 08/02/06 06:49 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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OK - so while I'm waiting for my spore prints, I though I should start testing my equipment and methods.
Test One - Substrate Contamination/Inoculation Chamber:
I mixed up some substrate. I made sure to use my unclean hands to mix it and I spit in it.
I took two jars and labled one "PC" and the other "control". I punched four holes in the lids and filled them both with substrate. In the PC jar, I cleaned the rim and added 1/2 vermiculite to the top. In the control jar, I just filled it to the top with substrate. I added the lids (seal down).
For the control jar, I just added it to a "temp" incubation chamber set at 82.
For the PC jar, I added a layer of tin foil, secured it with rubberband, and got my PC ready.
Test Two - Pressure Cooker:
I bought a cheap $5 Thrify Store PC, so I knew I needed to test it. It has no gauge, only the top knob.
I filled it with one inch of water, added a cloth heating pad, placed my PC jar inside, sealed it, turned it up to high.
BIG LEAK - steam was rushing out the handle so I took a look and saw the washer was way old and hard. Also, I think there is supposed to be a rubber pin in the handle knob too, the screw and a hole where steam can easily release.
So the PC test failed because of the PC.
Next I'll get a new washer and I'm thinking of just filling the knob hole with heat resistiant epoxy. That could be dangerous (I think).
If that doesn't work or look safe, I'll fork over $40 for a new PC.
I like that the TEKs for beginner don't require a PC, but at the same time, I think being a beginner, success will be easier and more rewarding with the extra insurance of having a PC.
In the meantime, my contaminated control jar is incubating. Since I've never seen either heathly spore growth or contamination, I think growing a contaminated jar could provide some education that I might need in the future.
Once I fix or buy a PC, I'll continue with this test.
This weekend, I'll be testing my Humidity Gauge and Growth Chamber (still have a few weeks before I'll have cakes to stick in there).
Comments and Feedback welcome
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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Aztec03
Stop that itchnow!

Registered: 04/24/06
Posts: 12
Last seen: 17 years, 9 days
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: fromthemoon]
#5926476 - 08/02/06 07:07 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Get some pics of that jar, it could be pretty interesting.
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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: Aztec03]
#5926481 - 08/02/06 07:09 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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I plan to
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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four20snakeman
Background Noise


Registered: 06/11/03
Posts: 1,462
Loc: /\ /\ Right there /\ /\
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: fromthemoon]
#5926586 - 08/02/06 07:35 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Pressure cookers are a mycophile must have. go ahead and buy a new one, dont try to jerry rig the one you have. you really dont want your epoxy seal failing on you do you? you never know it may hold and work like a charm, but what if it doesn't?
take care and be safe.
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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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After sleeping on it, I think your right. I'm heading off to get a new PC today and continue with my tests.
Better than exploding the house
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: fromthemoon]
#5928311 - 08/03/06 11:16 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Ok - I tested my humidity meter using 1 Tbls of salt and 5 drops of water in an air tight container.
It's a cheap humidity meter from the pet store - it reads 81% while in the salt container.
My pet store humidity meter might be too cheap OR I'll have to get my grow chamber up to 96% is I use this gauge.
I'll keep an eye out for humidity gauges while I PC cook today too.
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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boosthappyvw
Stranger
Registered: 11/22/05
Posts: 231
Last seen: 15 years, 7 months
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: fromthemoon]
#5928363 - 08/03/06 11:45 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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after the control jars gets all funky wich it will throw it away don't open it and release all those nasty thing into your home.
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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: boosthappyvw]
#5928939 - 08/03/06 03:35 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Good idea about throwing out the jars - will do!
OK - I bought a new PC Canner - well worth it IMO.
I made 2 more jars, one control, and one to serilize. This time I used dirty hands to mix, spit in it, plus 4 drops of "fish crap" from my skimmer (filler with bacteria, alga, and gross stuff,) and a flake of black mold from the bathroom.
I simply put the control jar in the incubator,
I'm PCing/canning the PC-2 jar now - the new PC is easy and feels very safe. It's almost done, then I'll let it cool and place that in the incubator too.
I PCed it for 1 hour. How long should I PC the rice flour/vermiculite jars?
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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CantiSama

Registered: 10/21/04
Posts: 794
Last seen: 4 months, 10 days
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: fromthemoon]
#5929007 - 08/03/06 04:03 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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i guess i don't see the benefit of making a jar you know will become contaminated. seems like a waste of resources and time to me.
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Tiger got to hunt, bird got to fly; Man got to sit and wonder 'why, why, why?' Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land; Man got to tell himself he understand.
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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: CantiSama]
#5929100 - 08/03/06 04:37 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Not really, I really don't know what a healthy jar looks like verses a contaminated jar. By growing a few contaminated jars, I can see and learn what contamination looks like. Also, buy mixing a PC jar and a control jar, I can test my PC technique and "know" that is working good before proceeding.
I few jars and a little vermiculite and rice flour isn't really a waste, not if I learn something for the $5 buck worth of supplies.
Also, it's not really a waste of time since I'm still waiting for my spore prints from Spore Source (unfortunatly, I mailed the order one week agao, 2-3 day priority, and they have not got it yet - I sent cash - I'm not too worried since I trust the forum and it's sponsors, but I'd hate to loose $60).
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: fromthemoon]
#5932955 - 08/04/06 09:57 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Well, I'm glad I'm using this time to test my equipment because one of my contaminated jar has started growing with a white fluffy growth. I might have though that was a good thing.
This is after 2 days of incubation:

That's not water vapor, it's something growing and it's not a good thing. It's fast spreading, so I can see now how contaminates will overtake shroom spores easily.
I have 3 contaminated jars and 1 PC sterilized jar incudating. This one jar is the only one with signs of growth - yet.
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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hawksapprentice
Yearns to Snowboard


Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 3,195
Loc: Oregon
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
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Re: Testing 1... 2...3... Thread [Re: fromthemoon]
#5933393 - 08/05/06 12:28 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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That's cobweb that is growing in your control jar. Technically it isn't really a control jar by the way.
If you want to run a control you would sterilize both jars and inoculate one but not the other. That way if the one you did not inoculate has growth appearing in it you know your sterilization technique was complete.
-------------------- "I celebrate the Earth, my home, my mother, my grave, and as long as men are Man they must, if they would preserve the integrated being, do the same---[and preserve]--this rank casual hungry smelly sweaty lusting transitory body, my oozy pulpy liquid-bag-swollen body, bones, blood, hair glands, my bejeweled sex; I love and celebrate it all. never to let men forget that they are animals as much as gods---that is one thing I shall say." Edward Abbey
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fromthemoon
ESP Major

Registered: 08/02/06
Posts: 353
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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I did that - kind of.
I left 3 contaminated and one I sterilized. I want to know what contamination looks like (I thought that might be cobweb, but never saw it before). And since I contaminated all the jars, then sterilized 1 jar, the sterile jar should not only not grow, but should have killed anything that is growing in the other jars too.
But, When I inoculate w/ spores, I will leave a "clean" jar as a control too.
-------------------- Look at the atoms in the air and allow your mind to see the other planes that coexists in the same physical space where you sit. There are vibrational strings in each and every atom containing infinite realities, universes, and dimensions. Multidimensional beings and entities are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Only gravity and mental energy can pass through these different atomic branes and mushrooms can break the mental/spiritual membranes separating one reality from the other. TAKE A LOOK!
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