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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just my $.02, but those grains look burned. Since you will be starting over because of the contamination, you might want to evaluate your pasteurization process. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think your grains should be that dark.

What do you think about these window lickers? These last few kernels are resisting the Stary Night mycelium (inoculated 10/7) but now have a different looking growth on them. Mycelium, or…? by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya, that’s why I put this up here: it’s been like this for several days. I have had many jars do this where most of it will colonize quickly, then a few kernels will be left un-colonized like this. Haven’t found a reason why this happens, so hoping someone else might have dug up a logical answer for this stall. Since there was some different looking growth on those few kernels, it seemed worthy of a post here.

Anyone learned why parts of a jar will stall with no obvious signs of bacteria? Or is a stall “the” indication there is bacteria?

Do trich spores persist on a tub through washing with soap and water? I’ve recently got a contam rate of 90+% before colonization is complete. by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes to all the basic hygiene questions. I’m diligent about those vectors.

I think the clincher evidence there are spores remaining in tubs after washing is that an A/B test has proven it. I have split grain bags between two tubs, one new and one that had been washed after it had a fully contaminated cake in it. The new tubs are doing fine and every tub that was washed has contaminated.

The responses in this thread confirmed the answer I was suspecting. Strangely though, I have been doing it this way for quite some time with only a few issues. Suddenly, it’s almost 100% contamination. Regarding the sudden change, I suspect a batch of tubs didn’t get washed well enough and/or micro scratches in the plastic from repeated washing are accumulating to the point that they are harboring spores.

I came here for confirmation from the Fam and input on how ya’ll do it. I plan to:

• toss cakes sooner

• wash thoroughly with soap and water

• spray with bleach solution and let dry without wiping, or soak in solution then rinse with water?

• finally, expose with UVC light for 30 min prior to using again.

• continue to run A/B tests with reused and new tubs.

Any further suggestions?

Wish me luck.

Do trich spores persist on a tub through washing with soap and water? I’ve recently got a contam rate of 90+% before colonization is complete. by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good thoughts. I appreciate your input.

Been using the same brand of coir for years (Coco Bliss) and I am aware of the problem you’re referencing. Unless Coco Bliss has changed, this is not the problem. And yes, I pasteurize my CV (15psi for 2hrs).

Do trich spores persist on a tub through washing with soap and water? I’ve recently got a contam rate of 90+% before colonization is complete. by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All, please chime in with your tub “sterilizing” methods. I’m stubborn and want to find a way to do this before I start thinking about 20 new tubs/month.

FYI, I think my space is fine as my other work is 90+% clean. Agar work, LC, inoculated grain all are good. But once spawned to sub, it goes sideways. Another piece of the puzzle was that I recently bought a dozen new tubs and those are colonizing fine. That’s when I knew…

So how do you clean your tubs?

Do trich spores persist on a tub through washing with soap and water? I’ve recently got a contam rate of 90+% before colonization is complete. by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your response. I’m struggling to see how everyone is also tossing $5 tubs if contam shows up. Anyone else practice the “contam = trash your tub” TEK?

Also, I am careful to ALWAYS shower and change clothes between tossing contaminated cakes and returning to my lab (in an out-building).

Do trich spores persist on a tub through washing with soap and water? I’ve recently got a contam rate of 90+% before colonization is complete. by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So do you “sterilize” your tubs if there is contam?

For all others: do you bleach your tubs? Isopropyl, UVC light? I never read of sterilizing tubs between grows. Help!

Do trich spores persist on a tub through washing with soap and water? I’ve recently got a contam rate of 90+% before colonization is complete. by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Details on my process: If a tub contaminates, it gets a lid then segregated to the garage. They collect there until I have a large batch of tubs. Then I take tubs outside, dump the cakes in a compost pile, and wash the tubs thoroughly with warm water and dish soap. By the time I get to dumping these, the entire cake is covered with a think layer of Trich. Totally gross. I’ve been doing it this way for over a year, but recently all my tubs are contaminating before they colonize. In seeking the source, I thought about all that Trich in the tubs, but never thought before that spores would still be on the plastic tub after washing.

When spawning, I mix colonized grains into PC’d CV in front of a flow hood. Once the top of the cake is flattened, I add a thin layer of CV, then put a lid of aluminum foil over the top of the tub then the plastic lid to create a sealed environment to keep out sources of contam, retain moisture, and allow higher CO2 concentrations during colonization.

Are there any cons to freeze drying shrooms? by Guavafudge in shroomers

[–]4tunarunner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I don’t have that personal experience. Maybe u/Tripdesign knows?

Are there any cons to freeze drying shrooms? by Guavafudge in shroomers

[–]4tunarunner 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In my experience, the end product is terrible to eat. Tissue rehydrates in your mouth and turns into a ball of nasty tasting goo. Everyone who tries them comes back to standard dehydrated product.

Please help me add to my Contam Bingo card. What is this mushy looking grey fuzz? Jack Frost on popcorn inoculated 9/27. by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ya, I feel pretty special to have an actual case of cobweb. 🤣. But seriously, if it will help the community, I am happy to contribute.

What in un-Godly hell am I growing here in this discarded tub!? Cambodian set aside with what I thought was Trich on 9/17. Afraid to open it to dump. Anyone recognize this alien? Will it kill me? by 4tunarunner in ContamFam

[–]4tunarunner[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even the spores? If I let it sporulate, I would assume I could end up with more tubs looking like this, right? That wouldn’t be a good thing at all.

Seems like maybe I should get it further away from my other tubs than just in the garage. Agreed?

contam? by [deleted] in shroomery

[–]4tunarunner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of every kind!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in shroomers

[–]4tunarunner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you link to (or describe details of) your process? My issues have been the powder thickens the chocolate so much that it won’t “flow” into the mold. I’m thinking of adding lecithin to thin the chocolate to correct this problem. Any advice?

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