How much FAE?

Hi Shroomok Folk! Really appreciate all your online guidance! I have a Northspore Automated Monotub with a sensor-contolled humidifier and timer controlled FAE fan. As the fan is timer controlled, I dont really know how often/long to run the fan once I start Fruiting Conditions (currently colonization of the substrate is proceeding nicely). I don't have a CO2 monitor. Also, the fan is designed to blow unfiltered room air into the tub; should the intake be filtered?

Thanks much for any help!

Paul K

Hey buddy! You're very welcome 🙌

To better understand your setup and help you, could you please clarify:

1. what is the volume of your tub, or what are its dimensions?

2. what is your fan output - CFM (it means how much air it actually moves) and what is the fan diameter?

3. what type of humidifier do you have in your tub? Small ultrasonic built-in humidifier or reptile fogger?

4. Do you have air vents (holes) in your tub?

And lastly, could you take a photo and show me your tub/setup? :-)

I don' t know what type of setup you have, but this thread will probably be useful for you overall: Probably failed grow?

Especially this part with calculations and suggestions starting from this part of the thread Issues I see with your configuration

Hope it will be helpful for you or other growers :-)

hi, and thanks

the monotub is about 2 cuft (11x15x21 inch) the fae fan is 2in (50mm) computer fan with variable speed, but no reported CFM. i have it on an intermittent timer to run for 10 min, 5 times a day at low speed the tub has 6, 2 inch and 12, 1inch holes the ultrasonic humidifier is humidity controlled, currently set at 92-98%, but thats not resulting in any droplets on the tub sides box looks dryish to me

temp inside ~76° light 12 hrs on/off

any advice on how much to run the fan appreciated!

i dont have a CO2 monitor

Hey, running the fan for 10 mins is too much for your box. 1 min at the lowest speed 2-3 times/day would be enough. Otherwise you'll dry out the top layer.

Important! The airflow direction of your fan should be from the box to the outside, not vice versa! It should work as an exhaust fan, removing stale air from the monotub rather than blowing in unfiltered air. If the fan works in the right direction, fresh air will be sucked in through the air holes and filtered through the filters in your tub.

Honestly, I don’t think you need a fan for your box, it’s not a large volume, and you already have enough air vents (holes) for natural airflow. I’d skip using it unless the mycelium growth, pinning, or fruiting show that additional airflow is actually needed.

One more important point! Your cake doesn’t need light, FAE, or misting until the top layer is fully colonised, or at least ~90% colonised. From what I can see in the photo, the substrate in your box isn’t colonised with mycelium yet. You introduced fruiting conditions too early! Or Idk maybe your box is empty, and it only looks to me like there’s blackish, uncolonised substrate there? :-)

the pix were taken just after i applied a casing layer over very well colonized substrate, hence no visible mycelia at that time. i installed the FAE fan in exhaust direction and took it off the timer; i just run it momentarily a few times a day. i think the humidifier is working well keeping RH 94-98%. fruiting is progressing well! Thanks again for your help.

All is good then! Please, don't forget to share your fruiting progress ;-)

Btw, what's the strain?