How to Make a Still Air Box for Growing Mushrooms

[@BrassJames]

Looks simple yet effective. Can't wait to try building it.

[@3scaP3r]

Simple, effective and cheap, that's the way to start.

[@Turtle68427]

Very nice idea. Can’t wait to try it out.

[@sebastianck4100]

FINALLY, SOMEONE WHO USES A NEW NEEDLE FOR EVERY USE. thank you. subscribed for that.

[@SporenSprout]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@collins3263]

Why wouldn't you just flame sterilize between each use? Or are you talking about using the same needle for every future project? Genuinely asking.

[@SporenSprout]

@@collins3263 It’s not a big deal. Either change needles or flame sterilize in between jars.

[@charlesreiners908]

@@SporenSprout doesn’t changing the needle also introduce a potential extra opening for air to contaminate the syringe itself? I’m all for increasing sterility as much as possible. It just seems like changing the needle more than once is risking contaminating the entire syringe (vice; just the tip of the needle). If my logic is flawed, then please educate me (just trying to learn, get better, and do things as efficiently/contaminant free as possible).

[@SporenSprout]

@@charlesreiners908 I see what you are saying, if your using a still air box, there is no air to contaminate the syringe, so changing needles is fine. I used a still air box when I first started and had about 80% success rate with liquid culture. Much lower success with g2g transferring and substrate inoculation. If you switch to a laminar flow hood, contamination basically doesn’t even exist in your work flow.

[@Allyourbase1990]

You can heat a tuna can up on the stove and push it thru to make the holes. I think I'll make one of these soon it seems like the route to go, I can't afford a flow hood so yeah

[@thebuzz2010]

Tuna can is too small no?

[@EdwardGaydosIII]

@@thebuzz2010 perfect for small hands

[@Sharkroars]

You could also use plastic wrap to seal the lid opening and cut out 2 holes for your hands and save your self a bin 😉

[@Dingleberrylarry]

Shrink wrap?

[@Sharkroars]

@@Dingleberrylarry nah just a regualar 1$ food plastic wrap from Walmart.

[@mjbaby6090]

That’s called using your noodle bro

[@Senoritaugly]

@@mjbaby6090using your noodle how is this the first time I’ve heard that, I love it 😂🤌🏼

[@duncmancan]

Ya but how tf do u sterilize the food wrap?

[@forexpinoychannelbyreactiv5828]

this was a great idea thank you! 🎉

[@cmmnsenserules4339]

Nicely done 👍

[@mattemmerson5877]

I got some nearly shoulder length gloves from Bass Pro Shop that are used for dismantling freshly murdered beasties(I'm not a hunter, but it is necessary to control populations). They are pretty cheap but never have holes. They would work well with the ingenius duct tape portals(I cannot cut perfect circles in plastic either). Thanks for the basic glove box, it's simple but very effective.

[@GoldenboyJayy]

well needed thanks 🍄

[@Angelina-xj5zd]

I added a cheap .05 micron air filter from a brewing company and a fish tank air pump to my SAB. I run the air pump to displace any particles larger than .05 microns in the box then I turn off the air to let the tiny particles settle. This has been working well so far and costs very little. The filter is intended to prevent wild yeasts from entering a brewing container and It's not a fine enough filter to keep out mold spores but it will clean the air somewhat for two dollars.

[@MrLucky666MrLucky666]

do you have a picture of this?

[@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter]

This defeats the whole point of a still air box, which is still air. The point of a SAB isn't clean air but still air.

[@tuumi2000]

@@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter Did you read the whole thing? They turn it off to let the air settle. The point of the air pump/filter was to push out particles and then let the rest settle. Unnecessary step? Maybe.

[@antonellocalc]

Very nice job! Thanks for sharing

[@erinpanjer6768]

Thanks! I don't have all the fancy materials, this one I'll actually be able to make, thanks so much, as long as I take a little extra care about the armholes, it should do the trick.

[@SporenSprout]

You can try to heat up a coffee can and burn the arm holes. Definitely be very careful when using a razor blade, you can easily crack the plastic or cut yourself. If you do make a crack, it’s no big deal, just cover it with tape.

[@erinpanjer6768]

@@SporenSprout Yeah, I don't have a coffee can either. I did crack the plastic on my first one, but covered over on both sides with tape. I realize just heating the exacto knife and creating a trace to go over again and again without forcing it too much is the best method, patience is involved, but it can be done.

[@pyrocircus129]

NICE!

[@dmitriyf8342]

Awesome dude! I like that method!

[@Josephhoward28]

Great video. Thank you

[@jeffreysousa1104]

I thought I cut my holes too big, this is definately going to save me

[@alchemyst02]

Does the tape not risk contamination when inserting or removing your hands? Just a question I was thinking you could always just wipe both sides down with alcohol before you experiment.

[@alchemyst02]

Also because I plan to do grain to grain within the next few weeks after colonization and I have yet to ever use a SAB

[@AgentRicePooh]

I would sterilize the inside and outside of the box before doing any work, especially around the tape glove holes. Should also sterilize your hands, gloves, and anything you'll be using inside before inserting as well

[@SporenSprout]

@@alchemyst02 exactly was @Damie Snow said. always wipe both sides down before and the inside very well. after many uses maybe change the tape. you dont have to use tape at all if you dont want to risk it.

[@alchemyst02]

Thank you guys for the replies ! Mush love 🍄🤙🏼

[@elite_eight4486]

i guess that most of tape risk is about the glued side, but here the tape is put in and out so the glue is not exposed so it doesn't catch any contamination, so unless you clean both side you should be fine. Or at least that's what i thought

[@bear1050]

Awsome! Thanks, partner!

[@lvp6905]

I hope what I’m about to say is received as constructive comment. I see your channel is new, other videos/channels that get thousands of views tend to be the ones that include details. This is a good quick look, but really lacks even the basics such as size of tub, what type of strip did you use, why you added the sealant strip at all. We could definitely use another great “how to” channel. Best of luck to you.

[@i9avici7a5]

Idk a lot of this seemed so obvious - didn’t think much about it - I have seen and read a lot on the topic though…

[@eman-id8rw]

​@@i9avici7a5 Is the sealant necessary? I cant find it in my country

[@jessemackinnon5433]

What did you use to tape over the holes and then cut for your Hands?

[@SporenSprout]

Just some duct tape

[@greyvoice5378]

Not perfect but neither is a still air box, but damn dude, kudos! really like your ideas and principles here. As someone whos been growing for a while you earned a follow.

[@Eliqueme]

Wym still air box is the goat, A flowie is just a quality of life upgrade lol Not talking about the glovebox he made lmaoo

[@geological76]

What type of black tape did you use?

[@lenickadventuresvlog]

Nice idea bro 👍

[@chandlerjamarino8015]

Hey I know this video is 2 years old but what was the white roll you used to seal the box to be air tight?

[@SporenSprout]

It’s not 100% necessary but it’s called weather stripping amzn.to/3NW0tSW

[@juissi6454]

What is the purpose of the weather sealant?

[@SporenSprout]

It’s not completely necessary but it helps prevent air from coming through the crack in the lid.

[@creatingbrain1647]

Thanks!

[@mushroomboss7094]

Awesome!

[@mysteryY2K]

youve earned yourself a sub :) hoping to grow some wine caps to make an extract out of to feed to bees. any pro tips for mushroom cultivation?

[@katherrmann6111]

Wow, so clever!

[@SporenSprout]

Thanks🤓

[@MayainBulgaria]

@@SporenSprout how big is that tub please?

[@SporenSprout]

Maya Fleischer 60 quart

[@lonewretch]

@@SporenSprout Damn I just checked the ones I've bought and they're half that. buying online can sometimes be an error in judgement in hindsight oO

[@Lemonz1989]

Has anyone tried putting a UV sterilization light inside the box, after wiping it down with alcohol, before working with a still air box? It supposedly kills airborn mold spores as well as bacteria, which alcohol won't kill (due to it being airborn, obviously). :) I'm thinking it could be placed in there, and just turned on and off as needed before and during work, if you need to take your hands out of the box and put them back in.

[@slimgrows]

Yup I made one with a uv bar and then a flow box with ac infinity dual 80mm fans and merv16 filter fabric n uv bar and the ppms dropped to almost non existent

[@benink5690]

Might kill what your working with tho? PE anyone?

[@philipmuka2371]

Hi there, thanks for the vids! I noticed you used a kind of filter tape over a small hole in a canning lid for a grain spawn video you did. Would you mind sharing what kind of tape product that is? I assume it has filtering capabilities, but allows some air flow for the mycelium. Thanks!

[@SporenSprout]

Here is the correct tape! amzn.to/3WaJhuK

[@philipmuka2371]

@@SporenSprout Thank you! Can you write on it while it’s in use on the jars?

[@SporenSprout]

@@philipmuka2371 yeah that’s what I do!

[@slimgrows]

You can use any paper tape from your local store also...it took me an embarrassing couple hrs to realize micropore is just a trademark name by 3m 😂

[@Halaster]

I am having one hell of a time cutting these boxes. I have tried a handheld skill saw, a razor blade, as well as scissors just like yours and the plastic tubs always crack really badly. I have destroyed 3 $10 tubs so far just trying to cut the holes. The only way I have been able to cut a hole is with a hole saw, but I do not have a bit nearly large enough.

[@SporenSprout]

Heat up a metal coffee can and use it to burn the holes out.

[@memesnob8883]

@@SporenSprout This^ i used mason jar rings to get the safe effect

[@lonewretch]

@@SporenSprout I'm probably going to use a soldering iron to make many holes and then cut through that way, then sand it down. I have no cans of that size, anywhere ! also have stupidly big hands.

[@8jurg8]

@@lonewretch I used a soldering iron just recently and it worked wonderfully. mostly smooth edges. you need a bit of patience though.

[@lonewretch]

@@8jurg8 I did end up doing that! Worked great. Pity my green (or blue) thumb was not as adept, got a decent crop but second flush went to pants. Ahh well, next time. :) And I'll be using the soldering iron to make my SGFC when I try a different tek.

[@jaimesanchezz3114]

What is the cleaning product you are using inside? People say alcohol is dangerous inside.

[@SporenSprout]

@@jaimesanchezz3114 Yeah just don’t use a flame inside after using alcohol. Here’s an updated video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIqsiINvjrqomqM

[@craigmsherman]

In a house where no room is *perfect* for this, how critical is it that your grow room be as clean as the box if you’re going to sterilize everything properly and use a SAB like this one (which I made yesterday thanks to your very helpful video)?

[@SporenSprout]

As long as your grains and substrate all come out fully colonized without contamination then the grow room doesn’t need to be perfectly sterile. Once fully colonized a mushroom block is naturally resistant to competitor molds.

[@craigmsherman]

@@SporenSprout got it. Thanks. So inoculating with properly sterilized tools and a sterilized SAB inside and out should work wherever, then. Okay. I’ll turn off the AC and keep the windows closed and turn off the humidifier and air purifier and do some inoculating.

[@greed9541]

@@craigmsherman updates?

[@Wetlandexplorers]

why is weather sealant necessary?

[@SporenSprout]

No you don’t have to use it.

[@sunwong7071]

👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@benink5690]

I'm 6'3" and know my hole ports are gonna have to be set custom. I onto really want to ruin a bunch of totes; let's get this right. Any suggestions?

[@phobia8879]

Helped me out here, I ended up using scissors after almost ruining the tub! You must get me the artist and name of that song though!

[@thisispatrick6735]

what size tub did you use?

[@LeeS-wk9vc]

My thoughts exactly lol

[@nolanhoiting]

Great video. For making liquid culture and grain spawn in a still air box like this, do you recommend sterilizing with bleach and flame sterilizing needles? or should i just use 70% isopropyl and not flame anything

[@SporenSprout]

Wipe injection ports with 90% isopropyl soaked paper towel, and inject with a sterile needle. There is no need to flame sterilize, the needle will be sterile right out of the package. Use a new needle for each injection.

[@nolanhoiting]

@@SporenSprout Okay sounds good. Thanks for the help!

[@thekingofthepirates]

@@SporenSprout %90 evaporates before it can do what you need it to do… you need %70

[@sinkliner3836]

The box I purchased has small air holes on the side. Will covering these with tape be sufficient to stop outside airflow?

[@SporenSprout]

Yes tape will do the trick.

[@FortNite-fb5wm]

What did you put around the edges before popping the lid on?

[@SporenSprout]

Weather strip

[@mrfinnegan27]

@@SporenSprout is this a necessary step what does it to seal the lid more?

[@SporenSprout]

@@mrfinnegan27 it’s not necessary

[@StutlaProduction]

Just saved me 40 dollars

[@Gvidas28]

Great content! Can you use a shot glass of an alcohol lamp in this box? Or it will start to melt the box?

[@krackkokane8573]

No alcohol use 5050 bleach and water alcohol = boom even with the hole from your hands I don’t think the alcohol will dry quickly enough before your newbie butt creates a bomb

[@Eliqueme]

Melt it, Plus when you prep you sab you use alchohol and it could ignite and make an explosion

[@SaynTrades]

What’s the size of the adhesive strap?

[@3scaP3r]

To make the cracks not happen, use a hot knive instead.

[@slimgrows]

Yessir same with drill bits and plastic...such a handy lil trick...keep it growing 🌲 🍄

[@jeffreysousa1104]

I remembered this comment and it cut like butter..

[@sarahsarah3404]

Thanks for the well explained video🤗. I have 2 questions though Isn't the air passing by the hole risky? I mean is there not a risk of entry of other fungi?

[@SporenSprout]

Yes there is a risk of contamination entering but there is no air inside the box so the contamination has a hard time landing on your work, especially if everything has been wiped with alcohol.

[@inspiringminds7284]

@@SporenSprout You should do a bleach/water mixture not alcohol you could start a fire if you use a lighter inside to sterilize needle for instance.

[@Josephhoward28]

@@inspiringminds7284 but if all the alcohol has evaporated what's the risk??? Isopropyl evaporates really fast and I doubt contam would enter that quickly especially if all A/C and fans are off in the room. I dunno, I've never built a SAB however.

[@erinbranham4880]

Do not use bleach, it will do more damage than good, use isopropyl alcohol as it will evaporate before the work actually begins

[@drguitar78]

@@Josephhoward28 Iso wont evap that fast inside the still air box. Anyway, thats not the only reason you should use bleach. Alcohol won't kill a lot of spores.

[@kellythoreson9532]

Are you injecting the spores into agar? Then do you just mix the agar into bulk substrate?

[@cambodianbreastmilk2980]

Nah you let mycelium colonise the agar and then add it to grain and then wait for that to colonise. Then you spawn to bulk.

[@IndigoLotusKay]

Its hard not to crack the box with the box cutter method. If anyone has tips pls share.

[@SporenSprout]

Heat up a metal coffee container and burn the holes out. Cracks aren’t a big deal, just tape them.

[@TangoNevada]

I just did one with two 4" holes. Put Blue painters tape on both sides of the tub covering where you need the hole. Then use a Hole Saw. Go really slow and rock the hole saw back and forth, you should have no problem. The tape spreads out the impact. Kind of like layin on thin ice vs standing.

[@vcsoyt]

2:20 what is this?

[@guaromiami]

Could polyfill serve as an adequate substitute for the tape?

[@vashstampede4878]

I'd say probably not. Polyfill tends to hold on to contaminations, you don't want that. And it'd be a hassle getting your hands in and out of the box through polyfill. If you don't want to use tape on your hand ports, just use open ports. Another substitute would be to tape some kind of thick(ish) latex over the holes and cut a small hole in the middle of them so you can get your hands in and out easily. Would likely be more sanitary than tape as well.

[@nuc2726]

Tried cutting the whole ring with a brand new paring knife. The thick plastic wouldn't let it budge, until it budged too hard and jumped right into my thumb on the tip.

[@gabejohnson3522]

Heat up a coffee can with your oven or use a torch if you can

[@gabejohnson3522]

Then melt holes through the plastic

[@nuc2726]

@@gabejohnson3522Thanks. I may make a new still air box just for the heck of it using this method

[@earlgrey1]

@@nuc2726 bro, use a smoldering iron, theyre cheap and extremely easy

[@timothylongmore7325]

I'd melt or burn the holes and attach a pair of long sleeve nitrile gloves. From a vet supply or TSC. Like they use on the science fiction virus lab movies. Glove box?

[@LurkerZ]

Glove box is not recommended for this hobby, any kind of holes in the box/gaps in the lid, no matter how small, would create way too much airflow as you move your hands around

[@Marinarasolis]

Is the weather strip necessary?

[@SporenSprout]

No

[@24DaniS24]

#DMTtattoo Niceeeeee

[@aliasamw]

FINE, go ahead and laugh, ha! To flame sterilize the needle, do in the box or take out each time?

[@Oogle38]

I was wondering the same. I’m assuming it would not be safe to light a flame inside if it was sealed too well, otherwise maybe you could get away with it. Don’t take my word for it tho lol!

[@CannibalOX99]

Yoo same I'm about to inoculate today haha imma let it sit for 10 min after cleaning then test it. Wish me luck

[@aliasamw]

@@CannibalOX99 test what? I'm at the same step...

[@CannibalOX99]

@@aliasamw test to see if it flames up in the box lol EDIT: but I heard you can use 10% of bleach mix with water

[@aliasamw]

@@CannibalOX99 oh my word, LMK, or tell the fireman to call me

[@counthenny9160]

How big was this tub

[@SporenSprout]

60 quart

[@jawllms8]

How do you get stuff inside of the box? I'm assuming you open the lid but when you do does that not add contam? This is a general SAB question honestly

[@SporenSprout]

Spray the inside of the tub and lid with alcohol and then put your tools inside, close and then right before working, wipe everything down while inside the tub. I have had no problems doing this

[@jawllms8]

@@SporenSprout sweet good to know. Is that Flex tape that you are using as well?

[@SporenSprout]

@@jawllms8 it’s weather sealant

[@ameeraarendse6409]

Misting in the Airbox works for me.

[@SporenSprout]

This is a still air box not a fruiting chamber, you don’t mist a still air box.

[@lorenzkern8613]

nice tattoo ;)

[@SporenSprout]

Thanks ! It is serotonin

[@drewbiedoobie5597]

Smoke weed

[@GASH_one]

What does weed have to do with mushrooms?

[@lonewretch]

@@GASH_one it helps sanitize the mind..

[@GASH_one]

@@lonewretch Very good answer! :D

[@cmmnsenserules4339]

Fyi, if you have a dremmel tool, cut the holes in 10 seconds...but theyre expensive.

[@joshuabraun2838]

What is the width and thickness of the adhesive foam you use at 2:25

[@SporenSprout]

This will work: amzn.to/3RaDs0s

[@joshuabraun2838]

@@SporenSprout Thanks homie! Just completed building it and gonna 'noc up a few agars. Mush love!

[@SporenSprout]

@@joshuabraun2838 Good luck my friend! 🍄