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ScavengerType



Registered: 01/24/08
Posts: 5,784
Loc: The North
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
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Perlite Terariums
#7943810 - 01/28/08 02:12 AM (16 years, 4 days ago) |
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I'm finishing on incubation of some cakes and I was going to finish my building of a perlite humidified terrarium and I've heard conflicting reports of weather or not to put holes in the bins or fan for GE so what gives? I don't want to be tied to them forever (Translation: I'm trying to look for work) but I do need high yields as well (But I'm worried I won't find any). So what gives? I could probibly fan 2 or 3 maybe 4 times a day if I'm lucky, but I don't want to. There is little or no consistency from tech to tech on this issue.
-------------------- "Have you ever seen what happens when a grenade goes off in a school? Do you really know what you’re doing when you order shock and awe? Are you prepared to kneel beside a dying soldier and tell him why he went to Iraq, or why he went to any war?" "The things that are done in the name of the shareholder are, to me, as terrifying as the things that are done—dare I say it—in the name of God. Montesquieu said, "There have never been so many civil wars as in the Kingdom of God." And I begin to feel that’s true. The shareholder is the excuse for everything." - Author and former M6/M5 agent John le Carré on Democracy Now. Conquer's Club
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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If you really want to use a perlite terrarium and dont want to manually fan it out. I recommend mounting a computer fan on the top of your box. They are pretty cheap maybe 15-25$ max.
Even with holes in the side, you would still need to manually fan it, and I dont think 2-3 times per day is really sufficient.
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ScavengerType



Registered: 01/24/08
Posts: 5,784
Loc: The North
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
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If that's true and I'd really need to fan more I think I'll use one of them fish bubbler's for GE instead. I don't like the idea of using a computer fan but if the bubbler is too expensive I might have to go to the recycle center and grab a few old fans.
How often should perlite terrariums be fanned though out of curiosity?
-------------------- "Have you ever seen what happens when a grenade goes off in a school? Do you really know what you’re doing when you order shock and awe? Are you prepared to kneel beside a dying soldier and tell him why he went to Iraq, or why he went to any war?" "The things that are done in the name of the shareholder are, to me, as terrifying as the things that are done—dare I say it—in the name of God. Montesquieu said, "There have never been so many civil wars as in the Kingdom of God." And I begin to feel that’s true. The shareholder is the excuse for everything." - Author and former M6/M5 agent John le Carré on Democracy Now. Conquer's Club
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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Quote:
ScavengerType said: If that's true and I'd really need to fan more I think I'll use one of them fish bubbler's for GE instead. I don't like the idea of using a computer fan but if the bubbler is too expensive I might have to go to the recycle center and grab a few old fans.
How often should perlite terrariums be fanned though out of curiosity?
You obviously want as much FAE as possible while keeping as high of humidity as possible. Ive never used a fish bubbler, but ive heard good things about them, especially for smaller terrariums and that would provide constant FAE for you. That probably is a better option than the computer fan anyways.
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ScavengerType



Registered: 01/24/08
Posts: 5,784
Loc: The North
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
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well I got the air pump today so it's settled, all further posts are academic.
-------------------- "Have you ever seen what happens when a grenade goes off in a school? Do you really know what you’re doing when you order shock and awe? Are you prepared to kneel beside a dying soldier and tell him why he went to Iraq, or why he went to any war?" "The things that are done in the name of the shareholder are, to me, as terrifying as the things that are done—dare I say it—in the name of God. Montesquieu said, "There have never been so many civil wars as in the Kingdom of God." And I begin to feel that’s true. The shareholder is the excuse for everything." - Author and former M6/M5 agent John le Carré on Democracy Now. Conquer's Club
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Quilch
Noob



Registered: 01/21/08
Posts: 45
Loc: Ny
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Hey very new here...Have completed one batch that went decently well but didn't produce as much as I hoped an fell victim to early green mold.
I am using a Perilite Teranium and I am curious if I had a way to keep the humidity up but had the top open at all times the open air wouldn't make way for contaniments? I just thought I needed to fan a few times a day but it was important to keep it closed...
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Quilch]
#7949720 - 01/29/08 09:36 AM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Quilch said: Hey very new here...Have completed one batch that went decently well but didn't produce as much as I hoped an fell victim to early green mold.
I am using a Perilite Teranium and I am curious if I had a way to keep the humidity up but had the top open at all times the open air wouldn't make way for contaniments? I just thought I needed to fan a few times a day but it was important to keep it closed...
Its not very likely that your contamination came from you opening your terrarium. Its more likely to be 1) standing water beneath the perlite, do you have any holes at the bottom of your terrarium to drain excess water? or 2) a dirty terrarium to start with
fully colonized cakes are very resistant to contams and FAE would not cause this
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Quilch
Noob



Registered: 01/21/08
Posts: 45
Loc: Ny
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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I do not have holes in the bottom, no. I was told by my friend (who has been growing for years through trial and error and without much guidance) to leave 1/2 inch of standing water on the bottom..also to put a capful of peroxide in the gallon of spring water i use to fill this water.
After my last cake is done fizzling out how would u suggest I clean my terrarium?
I'm sorry I couldnt find it in the golssary....what does FAE stand for?
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Fraggin
Multi-Faceted



Registered: 01/05/05
Posts: 8,707
Last seen: 8 years, 3 days
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Quilch]
#7949758 - 01/29/08 09:49 AM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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FAE = Fresh air exchange.
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Fraggin
Multi-Faceted



Registered: 01/05/05
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Last seen: 8 years, 3 days
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Fraggin]
#7949771 - 01/29/08 09:54 AM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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Cakes seem to need a higher rh. Actually as close to 100% as you can get. The problem with using a perlite FC with holes for ventilation is that it is difficult to get the proper amount of holes for proper FAE and maintain 95%+ rh.
Using this method, a fan in the room with the fc containing holes seems to provide enough FAE. If you are blowing air directly at the FC, the perlite dries out quickly and your RF drops.
I have the best results by drilling holes in all 6 sides, adding perlite, then turning on a fan in the room with my FC. Then I check the RH every few hours and tape up a few holes at a time with packaging tape until my RH is around 90%.
Another thing that I do, is when I mist heavily, I leave the lid off the FC for a couple of hours before I put it back on.
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uncle_rico
my own worst enemy


Registered: 03/28/06
Posts: 2,664
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Fraggin]
#7949789 - 01/29/08 10:00 AM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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I've got a couple of these FCs .....
Tweek the number of holes based on your ambient humidity.
I am in the West .... dry air .... I had too many holes and the perlite dries out .... so I taped up some of the holes.
Big difference in the ambient humidity of South Florida and Arizona.
Start with a certain number of holes .... I like them on all six sides and the FC raised off the shelf to take advantage of the physics involved .....
You can drill more holes .... or cover some (as in my case).
It is passive humidification. You can always plumb in some additional humidity and FAE for automated misting and fanning if you are gone for periods of time. ultrasonic foggers and a cool mist on seperate timers......
Fabricate and then tweek it.
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Quilch]
#7949824 - 01/29/08 10:11 AM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Quilch said: I do not have holes in the bottom, no. I was told by my friend (who has been growing for years through trial and error and without much guidance) to leave 1/2 inch of standing water on the bottom..also to put a capful of peroxide in the gallon of spring water i use to fill this water.
After my last cake is done fizzling out how would u suggest I clean my terrarium?
I'm sorry I couldnt find it in the golssary....what does FAE stand for?
No standing water is public enemy #1 and is more than likely the cause of your contamination. Never ever ever do you want standing water in your fruiting chamber
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Quilch
Noob



Registered: 01/21/08
Posts: 45
Loc: Ny
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Ok I'm trying to understand this here but don't you need the standing water for the perilite to create humidity?
Or is the misting sufficient enough? (I dont see how it would be...I have 1/2 inch of standing water in 1 inch of perilite and have great humidity) I see what your saying about the FAE...I for some reason thought that it would lead to contaniments but obviously not.
How often do you mist and do you use just straight water or a mixture with peroxide? Also do you try to avoid misting the actualy mushrooms or does it not matter if it happens to get on them (if your using peroxide in the mix)?
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Quilch]
#7950065 - 01/29/08 11:27 AM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Quilch said: Ok I'm trying to understand this here but don't you need the standing water for the perilite to create humidity?
Or is the misting sufficient enough? (I dont see how it would be...I have 1/2 inch of standing water in 1 inch of perilite and have great humidity) I see what your saying about the FAE...I for some reason thought that it would lead to contaniments but obviously not.
How often do you mist and do you use just straight water or a mixture with peroxide? Also do you try to avoid misting the actualy mushrooms or does it not matter if it happens to get on them (if your using peroxide in the mix)?
You are supposed to soak the perlite, then strain, then place it into the FC.
Misting Perlite would be pretty useless.
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Quilch
Noob



Registered: 01/21/08
Posts: 45
Loc: Ny
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Quote:
KillerPicklez said:
You are supposed to soak the perlite, then strain, then place it into the FC.
Misting Perlite would be pretty useless.
I see...How long should you soak for and how long will the perilite actually retain enough water to create humidity?
Yea I didn't see how misting would work either.
Also...what is good to use for the soak/strain process?
Edited by Quilch (01/29/08 11:40 AM)
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Quilch]
#7950154 - 01/29/08 11:54 AM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Quilch said:
Quote:
KillerPicklez said:
You are supposed to soak the perlite, then strain, then place it into the FC.
Misting Perlite would be pretty useless.
I see...How long should you soak for and how long will the perilite actually retain enough water to create humidity?
Yea I didn't see how misting would work either.
Also...what is good to use for the soak/strain process?
This isnt all rocket science bro. Use water and a colander. It should retain water for long enough for you to harvest your cakes. If you notice the humidity is dropping, then add a couple more inches of soaked perlite. I think most people use between 3-5 inches
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Quilch
Noob



Registered: 01/21/08
Posts: 45
Loc: Ny
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Quote:
KillerPicklez said: This isnt all rocket science bro. Use water and a colander. It should retain water for long enough for you to harvest your cakes. If you notice the humidity is dropping, then add a couple more inches of soaked perlite. I think most people use between 3-5 inches
No need to be condescending, I was merely looking for active opinions and techniques of people more experienced than myself that I could either mimic or improve upon.
Thank you for your advice I will try it next batch.
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure



Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 11 months, 3 days
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Proper use of perlite is demonstrated on youtube in pf tek part three.
Don't block the holes to increase humidity in the terrarium, as this defeats the purpose of the whole darn thing. If you live in a dry climate, simply run a humidifier in the room in which your terrarium is located.
NO STANDING WATER, PERIOD! Perlite is a crystalline substance, so it doesn't absorb or wick water. Any perlite under water may as well not even be there. 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
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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Re: Perlite Terariums [Re: Quilch]
#7950173 - 01/29/08 12:04 PM (16 years, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Quilch said:
Quote:
KillerPicklez said: This isnt all rocket science bro. Use water and a colander. It should retain water for long enough for you to harvest your cakes. If you notice the humidity is dropping, then add a couple more inches of soaked perlite. I think most people use between 3-5 inches
No need to be condescending, I was merely looking for active opinions and techniques of people more experienced than myself that I could either mimic or improve upon.
Thank you for your advice I will try it next batch.
Wasnt trying to be condescending at all, I just didnt expect to be asked the required materials to soak perlite 
Best of luck on your future grows! and drill some holes in the bottom of that FC and put a little cookie tray or something under it to catch excess water.
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t00th
something terrible

Registered: 12/03/07
Posts: 3,946
Loc: the dirty dirty
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i just finished my first grow man. 5 inches on perilite, no standing water, misted 2-3 times daily and fanned 4-6 times daily ended up with this
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