Okay, heres my plan for a terrarium. It may sound a bit complex, but all it consists of, is things Ive seen at liek Home Depot for example. Not expensive either.
What it will be made of is a robbermade container of adaquite size. When I get my suringes, Ill buy my cups, and then decide what size a contaner I need (measure the cups, and find one thatll nicely fit 10 jar sized cakes) For the lid of it, I will throw away the normal lid, and use a transparent garbage bag. I will leave it as to layers, and make it sealed around the container using a small bungy cord, and a sponge. What I'll do is place the bag over the top of the container, so as it just lays on top, then wrap the bungy cord around the mouth of the container to hold the bag tight. The sponge is there to place behind the hooks of the cord, seeing as how without it, that little piece of the bag would still be open a bit. Ill just place the sponge behind the hooks so it presses nicely against the bag. Also will make sure it wont tear the bag!
For humidity, what I will do, is buy a piece of either dowel, or metal tubing, with each end threaded (prefered over downel). This must stretch across the length of the container. I will place this at the front, and as low as possible. It wont be so lowas to touch the cakes or any growing mushrooms, but as close to how high the cakes will be as I think I can get it. The threaded ends of the pipe are there to hold it in place. Cut holes in the container, and then put some small nuts on the threads, one on each side of the container for each hole (one on the inside, and one on the outisde. tighten them towards eachother so as its gonna hold) then, I will get another piece of tubing, that is smaller then that one. one that wont strech out and past the length of the container a bit like the first, but one thats about a ha;f inch short of reaching the edges of the container at each end. then I will get 2 more pieces, of tubing that are completely threaded (I have seen these) and about 2 inches long. I will cut holes in the container for these, just below the top of the container, right at the back. I will then use the same methode to secure the small pieces (one on each side of the container) that being using 2 small bolts tightened towards eachother. These must however stick into the box, 1 inch. what this will allow me to do, is place the other piece of tubing in between the two pieces of piping, and then use a longer bolt, on each side, to hold it in place. this way its easily removable.
what this will be is the cover to protect the cakes from misting. I will use another clear garbage bag, and wrap it around the one removable piece of piping, and the on lower one thats held in place. Now, what this will allow for, is when I want to harvest the mushrooms for example, I unscrew the bolts on each side of the top bar, and then simply pull the whole sheet forward exposing the cakes. the bottom bar will always be secured. it will obviously be on an angle, so as the water can run off. I will be using perlite as you can no doubt see.
as for misting, what I plan on doing is obtaining two thingies. yes, thingies. I have no idea what theyre, what theyre for, but ive seen them, and will msot likely find them inpluming or soemthing. what these "thingies" are, are basically, like, imagine a pop bottle. now imagine cutting off the part that the cap screws onto, and tossing away the rest of the bottle. now you have a cap, and a piece to screw it onto. thats all it is. (as you can see if I cant find the piece its easily made!) and I will get two of these, and cut two hole in the front of the container, the same size as the opening on them. (the opening should be big enough to fit the nozzle of a spray bottle) I will then use soemthing like silicone to hold them in place over the holes. what this allows for, is holes for me to stick the spray bottle into, in order for me to mist, but these holes will have caps on them so as I will be able to seal them off to keep humidity levels high. this way I dont have to open the top part, exposing the cakes to un needed contaminants, everytime I mist.
so I wont have to open the terrarium to fan them daily, I will use 2 PC fans. One on each side. What would be ideal for the fans, would be to use the same concept as the misting holes. thayt being find those cap and threade pieces but only in bigger sizes. this way the opening are only exposed when neccessary. if not Ill cover the fans with something. CFM level doesnt matter, its not like intake for an MJ grow box. plus a container to fit 10 half pint jars wil;l be small so the cheapest PC fans will work. I will attach the pc fans on the inside of the container, and run the wires out a small, sleaed hole near the bottom. (silicone to seal) running on a 12v (depends on what the fan voltage is. i think theyre 12v dc) dc adapter each, all I have to do is plug them in and remove the caps/covers to allow for air exchange. (obviously one sucks air in and one blows air out) for the fan sucking air in, I plan on using this neat little trick I saw for a glove box. Ill put a dust mask over it, so as no contaminants can blow in.
then for keeping the temperatures at an optimal level, I think Ill use a cheap aquarium heater. not the kinds that you set and it keeps the water at that temp, but the kind you just turn on. (a bit more work, but I will save some $$$ for the more expensive one.) I was thinking I could put in a little bowl of water, and place it in that. when it needs to be warmed up, the heater goes on, the water heats up, heating the container.
and finally, to measure temp/humidity, ill simply use a themomitor/humidity metor (dont remember its name) combo from walmart. I may use the digital one, im just unsure of their reliability. If theyre not reliable (which I think they are) ill simply use the ones with the big dials they sell.
This whole thign may sound a bit confusing and complicated, but all parts are easy to get, and will allow the container to stay shut, and free of the shit in the air (even tho its less of a concern for the cakes. but still....) at all times!
what do you think? nice idea? any big problems? suggestions?
thanks!
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