Setting up your own first dub tub tek
If you're tired of running from vertical space within your grow, the dub tub tek is probably precisely what you need for your next project. It's one associated with those methods that sounds way more technical than this actually is, but once you try it, you'll understand why many people trust by it. Essentially, you're just having two plastic tubs and flipping one particular over on top of another. It's a simple solution to a common issue: mushrooms that would like to grow taller than their box allows.
I recall the first period I used a standard shoebox setup. Everything was heading great until the mushrooms hit the particular lid. They began curling, getting smushed, as well as the airflow just wasn't right. That's where the dub tub tek really excels. It gives your fungus the bedroom they require to reach their full potential without having you having in order to buy a massive, challenging Martha tent set up or perhaps a huge monotub that's hard to hide.
The reason why the dub tub tek works so well
The particular logic behind this setup is pretty simple. By using two tubs—usually the 6-quart "shoebox" variety—you produce a larger, controlled microclimate. The bottom tub holds your substrate and mycelium, while the top tub acts as a humidity dome. This particular extra headspace will be crucial because it allows for a bigger amount of air, which usually helps manage CARBON DIOXIDE levels during the particular fruiting stage.
One of the biggest perks is definitely the humidity control. When you have that second tub inverted on the top, this creates a nice little environment where moisture can pass. You'll see condensation building up on the walls of each the top plus bottom tubs, that is exactly what you want. It retains the surface of your substrate from drying out too fast, which is usually the death knell for the good pinset.
In addition, let's be sincere, it's cheap. A person can grab these tubs at any big-box store intended for a couple associated with bucks. If you mess one up while trying to melt holes in it, a person aren't out a ton of cash. It's the ideal entry point for hobbyists who desire to scale upward just a small bit without going overboard.
Getting your materials together
You don't need an enormous workshop to obtain a dub tub tek heading. In fact, you probably have half the stuff in your kitchen or garage already. Here's the particular basic rundown associated with what you'll would like to have on hand:
- Two identical plastic tubs: Usually the 6-quart ones work most effective for this particular style.
- Micropore tape: This is usually a lifesaver with regard to managing airflow whilst keeping contaminants away.
- Substrate: Anything you prefer, but the coir/vermiculite mix will be the gold standard for most.
- Completely colonized grain spawn: Ensure it's healthy plus white before a person even think about putting it within the tub.
- Isopropyl alcoholic beverages (70%): You're going in order to be cleaning everything .
- A spray bottle: For mister your tubs later on on.
When you're choosing your tubs, try to find the ones with clear lids and apparent bodies. You need to be in a position to see what's happening inside without continuously lifting the top and messing along with the humidity. Several people like to use black squirt paint or a liner within the underside of the decrease tub to avoid side pins, although that's totally optional and depends upon your personal preference.
The set up process
Setting up the dub tub tek is mostly about timing and hygiene. You'll start simply by mixing your colonized grain spawn with your pasteurized base in the base tub. Make sure you level it out nicely. You don't need it loaded down just like a stone, but it shouldn't be super shed either. A nice, even surface helps the mycelium colonize consistently.
As soon as you've got your bottom tub stuffed and leveled, you'll usually put the original lid upon it and allow it to sit in the dark for a couple times. This is the colonization phase. You're awaiting that white mycelium to take over the substrate. Once it's searching nice and fuzzy—usually about 70% in order to 100% colonized—it's period to bring in the second tub.
Take your 2nd tub, give it a thorough wipe-down with alcohol, and flip it upside down over the first tub. Now, you've got a "dome. " Some individuals like to strapping the seam in which the two tubs meet up with, leaving a few gaps for air flow, while others just let it sit right now there loosely. If you discover your humidity is falling too fast, tape it up the bit more. When things look too soggy, give it associated with a distance.
Managing airflow and humidity
This is where the "art" from the dub tub tek comes into play. Mushrooms need oxygen to grow, but they also need high humidness. It's a balancing act. For those who have the particular top tub covered too tight, CARBON DIOXIDE will build up at the underside, as well as your mushrooms may grow "fuzzy feet" or come away looking like slim little noodles because they're reaching with regard to fresh air.
If you see those fuzzy white areas at the base associated with your mushrooms, it's a sign you will need more fresh air flow exchange (FAE). You can fix this by fanning the particular tub a couple of times a day with the particular lid or simply by adjusting how the top tub sits. On the reverse side, when the walls of the tub look bone dry, you need to mist.
Whenever you mist, try not to spray the mushrooms directly. You want to aim for the walls of the top tub. The objective is to keep a fine air of droplets upon the plastic, which usually will evaporate and keep the air within nice humid. It's all about creating that perfect "spring morning" vibe in the plastic containers.
Coping with common hurdles
No develop is perfect, plus even with the dub tub tek , you're going to encounter some issues eventually. The most typical one is contaminants. If you observe green, black, or even weirdly bright yellow patches, it's generally game over with regard to that tub. This particular is why getting obsessive about your own alcohol wipes and general cleanliness is definitely so important throughout the initial setup.
Another thing in order to watch for will be "stalling. " Sometimes the mycelium simply stops doing anything at all. This is frequently since the substrate is usually too dry or even the temperature is definitely swinging too hugely. Try to keep your grow area in a constant temperature range—usually somewhere in the low to mid-70s (Fahrenheit) is the sweet spot for most typical species.
If you discover that will your top tub is falling away or sliding close to, a little little bit of painter's tape can act since a "hinge. " It makes it way easier to flip the top open, air the walls, and then close it back up without getting to realign almost everything every single time.
Why We prefer this more than bigger setups
I've tried the particular massive 66-quart monotubs, and while they can produce huge produces, they're also a huge risk. If one of all those gets contaminated, you lose your whole harvesting. With all the dub tub tek , you can have four or five small setups going at once. In case one goes southerly, you still possess the others. It's such as the "don't put all of your eggs in 1 basket" rule, yet for fungi.
It's also very much easier to proceed. If you wish to tuck your grow away in a closet or move it in order to a different space due to guests, you can just pick up the tubs and go. It's low-profile, high-reward, plus honestly, just a lot of fun to watch. There's something really satisfying about viewing your mushrooms lastly reach that top tub and realize they have all the space in the world in order to grow.
Covering things up, in case you're looking to upgrade from the simple jar or a little bag grow, this particular is the logical next step. It instructs you the fundamentals of environment management without requiring a qualification in biology or even a substantial budget. Just maintain things clean, view your humidity, and let the dub tub tek do the heavy lifting with regard to you. You'll end up being surprised at how much of the difference that additional little bit of vertical room makes.