Vertical vs Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood

[@josephhuffstetler6569]

I’ve been in the mycology industry and field for over three decades now and I’ll say this! This guy is a great source of information!!! Take what he says with all seriousness! He is a great standard of what the mycology community should be more like! All these west coast companies are price gouging companies for the most part! As he said his setup wasn’t that expensive! Do a little research and digging before buying from any companies! I guarantee you that you can find prices easily half of what most companies charge! Listen to this man! Also from an old school guy who has been in this industry since the late eighties, I applaud his dedication and honesty as well as his standard of work! Great job my man!!!

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

thanks for watching and following along! Thanks for the kind words! just glad we can get this info out there and build the community 🙏🏻🍄❤️

[@ralphmalph6100]

I have grown to really appreciate your channel. Appreciate the work you are doing, Gary.

[@sheeeshboi3527]

I do too Giving respect where respect is due

[@jeffreyhalverson2611]

At this very moment in the design phase you have been instrumental in helping me make the decision to 'Go Horizontal'. LOL Thanks Gary, great content.

[@SirBoden]

A separate glove box for isolating from unknown contamination will help keep your primary clean room healthy.

[@jessembs]

Hi Gary, would you mind just describing some of the most important techniques/tips for success that you've found when working with vertical laminar flow?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

sure I will try to improve this video

[@ScottWConvid19]

This is really good info to know when starting out, to help determine the best one for whatever the goals are, thanks

[@RoCkShaDoWWaLkEr]

I made a horizontal 12 x 24 FH ;but to overcome the potential for airborne particulates from the sides/above becoming contamination vectors I extended the lower sides and bottom to create a work area (lined with 1/4 inch plastic like black and smooth material I had), plus I installed a double hinged half inch thick plexi door that covers the ceiling in the work area and the second half when not in use drops down to close the work area off. I'm actually going one step further and installing a UV-C light to scrub the air in the plenum (where there's zero chance of exposure to anything living). I like what you said about the still air box aspect when needing to clean up contaminated culture (something I'm actually sickly obsessed with lol) and am going to cut out coverable arm holes now. One other often overlooked downside of horizontal FH is also that the flat working surface usually sits below the lowest part of the flow coverage, easily fixed by using a rack ;but in my testing proven to be a contamination vector.

[@thefungifam]

Å

[@nickford5549]

Tru clean rooms pull through the floor. Get your intake air from the grated counter and send it through your filters. You’ll capture all contaminants and preserve your filter cause it’s getting most of supply already clean

[@sebumgold3108]

Hi Gary. What is the difference between the Flow model and the LF model from Air Science? Thanks.

[@SetTheCurve]

"the air is flowing from the top down". Actually, it's not. If there were no table underneath, the air would be flowing in a laminar pattern from top to bottom. With the table, the flow is turbulent as it is being directed forward, the only direction it has to go. This means you have a high pressure gradient with the highest in the top-back, second highest top-front, third highest bottom-back, and lowest pressure zone in the bottom-front. I'd almost predict that there would be a turbulent eddy at the bottom back where much less air is actually being exchanged. I wouldn't be surprised if you put smoke there if it would dwell and swirl for some time. I'm not saying it's not effective though, however less reliable than true laminar flow IMO, especially if you are moving quickly.

[@davidstick9207]

Exactly right. This is why our hoods have a sliding front that we lower to increase exhaust efficiency at our Uni. Every hood should have a smoke test so you can see potential issues

[@dream.fiiend]

Thanks for clearing that up!

[@jessembs]

Hey Gary - just wanted to ask: I have a small vertical hood, should I run it on full or at like 150 pascal? I heard one shouldn't necessarily run them on full?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

I run mine on full - it just depends how your filters are as well - mine have prefilters so are dialed in to do that speed

[@strategicshenanigans3814]

Hey Gary, thanks for this video! I’ve been wondering about this watching your other videos. With the vertical flow, is it even more pertinent to not cross your hands over open containers?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Yes I like to stack plates to keep the highest one the most sterile and movements to coordinate

[@jeffreyhalverson2611]

Meant to say "Go Vertical".

[@2070obas]

What model hood is being used in this video?

[@jimwimer9738]

You are not wrong that with a horizontal hood the jars closest to the hood itself are in a more sterile environment. You are, however, incorrect that the ones towards the front are in just as sterile air as the ones in the back. The problem with vertical is the flow of the air will pull air from the surrounding area just outside of the hood. Any particles that might be pulled into the flow of the vertical hood, due to that, could get caught in the current and be blown directly on top of your jars, or whatever else you're working on. With a horizontal hood, any particles pulled into the flow will be blown out and away from your work area right away.

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

splitting hairs. I test both regularly and use both daily. They have pros and cons but together are the perfect setup

[@svgs650r]

Exactly, like the bare horizontal HEPA filters being used as a “laminar flow hood” lots, and I mean lots of unfiltered boundary air is entrained into the “sterile air column” LFCB’s look the way they do, regardless of manufacture for a reason!

[@sangitashinde1645]

Which type of laminar air flow is more effective in microbiology department in a pharmaceutical company? vertical or horizontal?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

vertical

[@williamburnett5337]

Do you think a fume hood can be turned into a flow hood? 🤔

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

no they work the opposite direction. Well It might be possible but it would take some fine engineering and craftsmanship.

[@dsyiemiong5526]

I am planning to buy one. But not sure whether I should get a vertical or a horizontal. I do microbiology work. There is lots of space in my lab. Which one should I go for?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It comes down to personal preference but like the video stated - the vertical hood has many benefits and we recommend going with a 4 ft or 8ft air science one - they have been great for us!

[@TEKKENEnterMyDragon]

do you recommend vertical or horizontal when inoculating sawdust grow bags with mycelium grain spawns?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

vertical because it allows for more headspace

[@TEKKENEnterMyDragon]

@@FreshfromtheFarmFungi will the vertical flowhood blows out any contaminant particles that are already floating inside the sawdust grow bags?

[@svgs650r]

Why aren’t you using a bio safety cabinet for the more sensitive work?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

It is more expensive and Im not worried about protecting me as much as I am protecting the mycelium

[@svgs650r]

Use a BSC when working with “wild mushrooms or contaminated plates” so you don’t have to use your vert. clean bench as a still air box and risk dick’n up your lab.

[@danimal2008]

You guys hiring? I would love to work in a lab like this growing mushrooms. Air Science is great. I was looking at those before I got mine. I have a 2'x4' Envirco Mac10 LEAC I just got and I love it. I use it horizontal at the moment but after hearing what you said about vertical it has me wanting to go vert. I'm going to try to find a 2'x4' housing to mount my filter on.

[@Bruzumi]

Hey Gary, are you able to share what model flow hood you have from Air Science?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

it’s the “PURAIR FLOW-48” from 2017

[@elijahwhitford5136]

why do you have pressure canners if you use a autoclave? trying to learn

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

elijah whitford I use both

[@ergonomiczero2228]

Good stuff mang! What model did you buy? Why not get a BSC (Biological Safety Cabinet)?

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

Thanks for watching! The model I use is Air Science PurAir Flow 48 - The major reason I use a flow hood compared to a BSC is that there are no dead zones in a laminar flow hood compared to a BSC, so I can use more of the surface to make my plates. Also, it is a lot easier to clean - which I do OFTEN (you can tell from the corrosion in the case, which in the future I would recommend a full stainless steal casing). BSC's are nice when working with hazardous materials because they circulate air back into the hood and exhaust this air after being filtered away from the user (helps protect the user). This exhaust creates dead zones (especially in the back of the hood) which is fine for working with cultures in the middle of the area, but looses some precious space when making sterile plates. Also, in order to properly clean BSC's you need to take apart the work space table to clean the exhaust vents which takes a bit of time. Hope this answers your questions and stay tuned for more videos like these!

[@johnfrancis5723]

The stainless steel casing can be furnished upon request ?

[@svgs650r]

Just for accuracy… there are NO “dead spaces” in a properly functioning certified Class II A2/B2 BSC, none! If there were the BSC would fail certification and would be immediately removed from service until repaired and certified (NSF Std-49). As to cleaning the “exhaust vents” - the only exhaust vents on Class II A2/B2 BSC’s are on top of the cabinet and should not be cleaned because of the likely danger of damaging the extremely fragile exhaust HEPA filter, now, if you’re referring to the “return air’ grills across the front of the work surface and in the back wall of the cabinet it’s a part of the pre and post C3H8O wipe downs and as far as removing the work surface there’d be no reason for that especially while doing mycology work as under the work surface is always under negative pressure when the fan is running.

[@danielgagne485]

I use similar. Love it. Whole space is sterile.

[@triple_gem_shining]

Bro thank you!

[@shortchanged.]

I need help once I put my grain into the pellets and seal bags,, growth seems to stop . I spend hrs watching your vids ... Please advise

[@FreshfromtheFarmFungi]

make sure it’s cool, make sure there is enough moisture it could be a lot of things at that stage

[@Shanesxperiments]

Great videos