Keep mold spores, bacteria and other contaminants out of your mushroom cultivation with a home-made laminar flow hood. It’s not difficult to build and can save a lot of money over commercial clean air fans.
This hood uses a coarse pre-filter and a HEPA filter to stream a continuous current of highly filtered, clean air over the work area in uniform layers. It’s rated based on the volume of clean air it produces at zero static pressure in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and makes the mushrooms gradually dried without losing their nutrients.
Materials
While growing mushrooms can be done without a flow hood, doing it properly is much easier when one is available. A flow hood provides a stream of clean, sterile air which allows spores to germinate and mycelium to grow, while other fungi are swept away from the work area. Creating such an environment is crucial to the cultivation process, as contamination can quickly ruin a crop and prevent future growth. A flow hood does this by filtering air and blowing it through a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which removes all contaminants from the working space.
Using a laminar flow hood is a must for anyone who wants to grow fungi that require a sterile environment. This is because a typical environment for mushroom spawn and substrate is an ideal breeding ground not only for fungi but also for bacteria, insects, or any other microorganism that can contaminate the culture. A flow hood can eliminate this problem by providing a sterile environment for the spores or mycelium to flourish while other organisms are swept away into the surrounding area.
A hood can be bought at a laboratory supply store, though they are also easy enough to make on your own. There are a number of tutorials and plans online that guide users through the construction process, which is fairly straightforward. The basic materials needed for a DIY hood include a HEPA filter, a blower, and some basic construction tools. Finished plywood or melamine-faced board is recommended as the main building material due to its strength and ease of cleaning, while silicone caulking can be used to seal any joints and seams.
While a flow hood is not the cheapest project in the world, it shouldn’t break the bank for any mycologist who regularly performs inoculations or grows more advanced species of mushroom. It is an excellent investment for those looking to take their hobby seriously and will allow them to cultivate a wide range of different mushroom strains without fear of contamination. It will open up whole new possibilities and increase the odds of a successful harvest.
Design
As its name suggests, a flow hood creates a flowing current of clean air over a workspace. This filtered air sweeps away any contaminants and keeps them from reaching critical surfaces and materials, such as the growing substrate or agar plates used for inoculation. A flow hood is an indispensable tool for tasks that require high levels of sterility, including inoculating substrates, transferring cultures, and preparing spawn.
As the demand for quality, fresh mushrooms continues to rise worldwide, hobbyists and commercial growers alike must make sure their workstations are properly sterilized to ensure successful cultivation. This is especially important when working with sensitive material or delicate specimens that are highly susceptible to contamination. A laminar flow hood provides an effective solution for maintaining a sterile environment.
When building a DIY flow hood for mushroom cultivation, it is essential to take into account the specific needs of your project. Consider the size and type of hood you need, as well as the amount of space you have available in your workspace. Also, remember that a class II laminar flow hood requires a constant power supply to ensure continuous filtration and circulation. For this reason, it is often a good idea to include a backup power source like an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) in your design.
Choosing the right materials for your build is also essential, as it can have a significant impact on how easy it is to clean and sterilize your hood. Stainless steel is an excellent choice, as it offers durability and resistance to corrosion. It is also a non-porous material that easily wipes down and can be disinfected with a variety of cleaning agents.
Incorporating the right lighting into your hood design is also crucial, as it can improve visibility and reduce strain on the eyes. Look for bulbs that produce a soft, natural light that will not cast shadows or glare over your workspace and are designed to be energy efficient.
Creating your own laminar flow hood is a great way to save money on expensive commercial equipment and gain greater control over your mushroom cultivation process. However, be aware that constructing your own hood can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, making it less cost-effective than purchasing a pre-built model from a reputable supplier.
Power
Keeping mold spores and bacteria away from your spore prints, agar plates, or grain jars is the battle that any serious cultivator faces. The microbial realm is vast and not all of it is friendly to our favorite fungi. This is why a flow hood is used, and this simple home-built version offers an excellent alternative to expensive professional models.
A laminar flow hood, sometimes referred to as a clean bench, is an enclosed work area that provides a micro-filtered stream of air for working with sensitive materials. These are used in a wide range of industries including medical, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and nuclear technology. A filtered airflow ensures that critical surfaces and process materials are protected from contaminants.
The hood’s work surface is typically made of stainless steel for durability and ease of cleaning. It is also important to consider lighting when designing a laminar flow hood. Incorporating lighting that illuminates the workspace evenly reduces shadows and glare, which aids accuracy and makes it easier to work for long periods of time.
A hood with a digital display allows for the user to conveniently adjust settings, which eliminates the need for additional equipment and streamlines workflow. Additionally, it is important to incorporate UV sterilization light into the design of your hood to help prevent contamination from harmful microorganisms.
To get started with your DIY laminar flow hood, find a HEPA filter and plywood. Make sure you are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lab coats, gloves and safety glasses when constructing your hood to minimize the risk of contamination. It is also a good idea to use a fan that is powerful enough to create an effective barrier of air but not so strong that it causes unnecessary turbulence within the workspace.
Creating a DIY hood is an excellent way to reduce costs and maintain a sterile workspace for mushroom cultivation. However, if you don’t want to take the time to build your own, it is possible to purchase an affordable, high-quality pre-built model from a company like Fungi Perfecti. Their hoods are a great investment for any mycologist looking to elevate their experience.
Lighting
As mushroom cultivation is often done indoors, a good lighting solution is important for maintaining a clean environment. Using a grow light system that produces the right spectrum of spectral lights can help reduce contamination from spores, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
The type of light used also plays a role in the growth and development of mushrooms. Some species are known to grow larger or more robust in certain conditions, while others have a tendency to fruit sooner with certain types of light. Knowing this, a cultivator can manipulate the lighting to optimize mushroom growth and ensure that their fruiting phase occurs in ideal conditions.
When choosing a lighting solution for their DIY flow hood, most cultivators opt for LED bulbs. These provide the correct spectrum of light while reducing shadows and glare that can interfere with work spaces. These bulbs also tend to be more energy efficient than other types of lights, which can save on electricity bills. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some of the high-efficiency fans used in these systems can pull unfiltered air through the pre-filter if not properly maintained and sealed. This is why it’s crucial for any DIYer to pay attention to the specifications of their chosen fan and ensure that it doesn’t pull unfiltered air through the HEPA filter.
While many people assume that a sterile environment is the key to successful mushroom cultivation, the truth is that contamination is one of the biggest factors for failure. Non-sterile environments allow for the emergence of opportunistic molds, bacteria, and viruses that can quickly spread throughout an operation.
The best way to prevent this is by using a DIY laminar flow hood. These devices allow for a clean, controlled environment that’s perfect for inoculating substrate bags and conducting other critical tasks. A laminar flow hood can also create an environment where other fungal spores or bacteria won’t survive in the presence of psilocybin mycelium, which can significantly increase the chances of success.