The Easiest Unmodified Monotub Setup: Maximize Yields with Minimal Effort

Looking for the simplest and most efficient way to grow mushrooms at home? This guide details my proven, unmodified monotub technique using readily available Sterilite® Air Tight Storage Totes. I’ve streamlined the process to minimize maintenance and maximize yields, making it perfect for beginners and experienced growers alike. We’ll focus on the 32 and 54-quart sizes, which I’ve found to be optimal.

Why This Monotub Setup is Superior:

• Unmodified Simplicity: No drilling, no filters, just straightforward growing.
• Optimal Air Exchange: Utilizing the Sterilite® tote’s lid design for natural airflow.
• Reduced Maintenance: Minimal misting and no fanning required.
• Faster Colonization & Fruiting: Achieve quicker results with optimized conditions.

Choosing Your Monotub Container:

Essential Supplies:

• Sterilite® Air Tight Storage Tote (32 or 54 qt)
• Grain Spawn (3-5lbs)
• Substrate (Coir, Vermiculite – 5-10lbs)

Step-by-Step Monotub Setup:

1. Spawn and Substrate Preparation:
   • Grain Spawn (Oats): Learn how to make grain spawn here.
   • Substrate (Coir): Simple substrate recipe here.
2. Mixing and Filling:
   • Spray all tools and containers down with 70% Iso Alcohol.
   • Using a black, unscented trash bag, cut the bag in a rectangular shape for the liner. The size will depend on the size of your container, but generally I use the top of the container as a guide, cutting a little larger than the top.
   • Spray Iso on the sidewalls and bottom of the tub and set your liner.
   • Begin with a layer of substrate about an inch thick. Then add a thin layer of spawn, followed by a thin layer of substrate, and repeat until the spawn is gone. You will want to finish with a shallow layer of substrate as a “psudo-casing” layer. This will serve as a protective mat over the grains.
   • Mist the sidewalls of the tub with distilled water.

Growing Conditions: The Key to Success:

1. Lid Placement:
   • Flip the lid upside down. This creates essential air gaps around the latches, providing consistent fresh air exchange (FAE) and regulating moisture.
   • Never latch the lid.
2. Immediate Fruiting Conditions:
   • Contrary to traditional methods, I initiate fruiting conditions immediately after mixing spawn and substrate. This has resulted in faster colonization, pinning, and harvest times.
   • I call this simply “Growing Conditions” to eliminate the distinction between colonization and fruiting.
3. Moisture Management:
   • Monitor surface moisture. Mist lightly if needed, but often, no misting is needed.
   • Sometimes, removing the lid for short periods is necessary to reduce excess moisture.
   • Bottom watering can be used after pinning for subsequent flushes.
   • Develop an understanding of your surface conditions. Skill and experience are vital.

Lighting:

• Use fluorescent if able.
• Shop lights are ideal for multiple tubs.
• While mushrooms don’t photosynthesize, adequate light promotes healthy growth and appearance.
• Fluorescent lighting is more efficient than LED for this application.

Tips and Best Practices:

• Surface Conditions: Maintain optimal surface moisture for successful fruiting.
• No Casing Layer (Usually): I find casing layers unnecessary in most cases, especially with 10-20% RH. A thin pseudocasing of coir can be useful for slower pinning varieties like PE.
• No Liner (Recommended): Proper surface conditions and a level substrate eliminate the need for liners.
• Stacking: Sterilite® tubs can be stacked for space management. Place colonizing tubs on top for slightly warmer conditions.
• Watering: Only water when needed. Bottom watering is useful for later flushes.

Timetable, Yields, and Biological Efficiency (BE%):

• Fastest Possible Timeline (Agar to Harvest): 25 days (best case).
• Yield: 1-2 oz dry per quart (MS cultures), more with clones.
• Substrate: Oats and CVG only.
• Cost Efficiency: Under $1 per ounce once established.
• BE Calculation:
  • Dry ingredients: 650g coir + 220g dry oats per quart.
  • 100% BE = 350g wet per quart.
  • 1oz dry per quart = ~114% BE.
  • 2oz dry per quart = ~228% BE.

Conclusion:

This unmodified monotub TEK provides a simple, efficient, and cost-effective method for growing mushrooms. By understanding the principles of air exchange and moisture management, you can achieve consistent and impressive yields.