Still Air Box Alternative: Acrylic, Cardboard, Unmodified, and Plastic Variations
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Time to read 7 min
If you've read about the basics of still air boxes and how to make one yourself, but you're still looking for more options, you've come to the right place. Many people share their designs and ideas in online forums and communities. We aim to give you a broad overview of these still air box alternatives.
Trippy Tek
Trippy Tek aims to make mycology more accessible and widespread by reducing entry costs and improving the growing experience, all while preserving the joy of cultivating mushrooms from scratch. We value mycelium's diverse benefits, from psilocybin therapy to sustainable packaging.
We've dedicated countless hours to researching online resources and engaging with the mushroom growers' community. Filtering the best from the rest, we've drawn conclusions enriched with personal tips and tricks. Additionally, we've rigorously tested our own product, designed based on these same proven fundamentals!
Some growers have designed their own versions to tackle specific challenges. However, these designs often introduce new problems.
Exploring these various designs can give you a good idea of what might work best for you. It's all about finding the right balance between effectiveness and cost.
Blog Content
Each Version Unique Benefits Each Version Pain Points The Plexiglass / Acrylic Still air box: Durable, Clear, but Pricey The Cardboard SAB: Foldable Design But Compromised Looking for a Still Air Box with All the Benefits without the downside? Plastic SABs: The Foundation of DIY Mushroom Cultivation Unmodified Still air box: Budget-Friendly SAB Oven Tek: An Ingenious, Yet Outdated Approach Going Old School: Mushroom Cultivation without a SAB Conclusion: What we have learn
Each Variation Unique Benefits
Acrylic: Durable And Great Visibility
Cardboard: Foldable A Easy To Transport
Unmodified Plastic: No Drilling Required and Hassle-Free Setup
Each Variation Pain Points
Acrylic: Expensive And Hard To Transport
Cardboard: Fragile And Hard To Clean
Unmodified Plastic: Not Comfortable And Not Durable
Introducing the Trippy Tek Still Air Box: Solving Common Problems Without the High Cost
We wanted to fix as many issues as possible while keeping it budget-friendly. That's why we created the [Trippy Tek Still Air Box].
Our Trippy Tek box aims to hit that sweet spot, offering a solid solution without breaking the bank.
The Plexiglass / Acrylic Still air box: Durable, Clear, but Pricey
First off, it's good to know that Plexiglass is just a brand name for acrylic sheets, so they're the same thing. Growers who wanted something durable and superior quality opted for acrylic still air boxes. They offer a clear step up from the simpler plastic container versions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMlZMptGPSw&t=161s
Why Choose Acrylic?
Most still air boxes out there are made to be easy to ship. They usually have a PVC frame covered in plastic with side loading zippers which is prone to damage. But an acrylic still air box, being both solid and stylish, addresses this issue nicely.
Acrylic Offers Better Visibility
You don't always have to get these custom made to order. Some inventive folks have repurposed acrylic items like shoe boxes or even aquariums into a still air box. One of the biggest perks of acrylic is its clarity. It's as transparent as glass, which is why it's used for displaying valuable items like jewelry. This means you can see everything inside clearly, which is a big advantage when doing liquid culture.
Acrylic's Durability
The durability of acrylic also means you can attach things on top without worry, or be less concerned about accidental bumps. Some custom versions even include features like lighting and wire racks, making them look like something out of a lab.
The Price of Perfection: Acrylic's Downside
However, despite the benefits, there's the issue of cost and sustainability. Acrylic can be pricey, and while mass production could reduce costs, shipping each box individually might not be economical.
shroomery.org
shroomery.org
Acrylic: Solid and stylish
Acrylic: Transparent as glass
Acrylic: Pricey
The Cardboard SAB: Foldable Design But Compromised
Some folks really appreciate having a still air box (SAB) that can be folded up. This feature makes it super easy to store and move around. Since a lot of mushroom growing doesn't actually require a SAB after the initial stages, being able to pack it away by takin less space is a big plus, especially for those in tight living spaces.
A Creative, Yet Imperfect Solution
The idea of a collapsible SAB led to the use of cardboard boxes, paired with plastic wrap to keep things visible. This lightweight materials setup of equipment can be taken apart and stored in a much smaller space.
shroomery.org
Limitations: Cheap but Compromised
However, it's clear that cardboard isn't the most durable material. It's hard to clean, not very strong, and, with its accessible cost, it looks quite improvised with plastic wrap for seeing inside. But, it's easy to make holes in for your arms.
shroomery.org
shroomery.org
shroomery.org
shroomery.org
shroomery.org
Cardboard: Collapsible and lightweight
Cardboard: Hard to clean, not very strong
Looking for a Still Air Box with All the Benefits without the downside?
Trippy Tek's SAB Has You Covered! Enjoy Enjoy the durability and transparency of acrylic combined with the convenience of cardboard, all in one innovative product.
With Trippy Tek, you get a foldable, high-visibility plastic still air box that's easy to store and tough in use, without stretching your budget. Get the best of both worlds without breaking the bank, only with Trippy Tek's SAB!"
Plastic SABs: The Foundation of DIY Mushroom Cultivation
In our last guide, we talked about how great plastic containers are for making a still air box (SAB). We showed you where to drill two holesin the box for your arms.
A Creative Twist on Traditional SAB Design
We've seen a cool twist on this design. You can turn the box on its side, so the opening faces you. Then, cover this opening with plastic wrap, leaving just enough room for your arms. This is a clever and budget-friendly way to set it up.
An Interesting Option for the Tool-Averse
If you're not into cutting holes in the box, this might be worth a try. It's hard to say how durable this method is, but it's an interesting alternative to consider.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99pRX1vVXKU
Unmodified Still air box: Budget-Friendly SAB
If you're watching your budget and don't want to buy tools to make a still air box, there's a simple idea from a community member [90sec unclebens]. They suggest using a plastic container upside down without any modifications, which means no holes needed!
90 seconds mycology
Easy Setup with a Simple Twist
This method skips the step of drilling holes for your arms. You just put the container on the edge of your worktable. This lets you reach your tools from under the box.
The Trade-Off: Comfort vs. Convenience
Going for an unmodified container might seem like a shortcut to avoid cutting holes. However, it might not be the most comfortable for longer periods. Working in a still air box can take from 15 minutes up to 2 hours. The time depends on how complex your project is and what tools you're using.
Oven Tek: An Ingenious, Yet Outdated Approach
The idea was to slightly open your oven door, turn it on, and let the warm air flow out. You'd then place your mushroom setup on a wire rack just above this stream of air.
However, this is an older method that isn't widely used these days.
90 seconds unclebens mycology
Going Old School: Mushroom Cultivation without a SAB
Before the popularity of the still air box (SAB), and even now, some folks try growing mushrooms without one. This approach isn't foolproof since it doesn't guarantee a space free from contaminants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd6-pi8tjCk
Creating a Temporary Still Air Environment
The idea is to pick a small area in your home where air doesn't move much, but ample working room. You'll need to shut all windows, vents, and the air conditioning to minimize air flow.
Next, cleanliness is crucial. You should thoroughly clean your work surface with 70% isopropyl alcohol, going over it twice to be extra sure. Wearing a mask is also important in this scenario. Without a SAB, a mask is your best defense against contaminating your setup with your own breath.
Maximizing Cleanliness for Better Odds
Showering and wearing gloves will make you as clean as possible before starting. This method can work, but it's clear that a SAB makes the process safer and more reliable. Without a SAB, you're essentially trying to turn your room into a still air environment, which is much harder to manage.
Conclusion: What we have learn
Acrylic offers durability and excellent visibility but comes at a high cost and is challenging to transport.
Cardboard is collapsible and lightweight, yet it's difficult to clean and lacks strength.
Trippy Tek's SAB combines the durability and clarity of acrylic with the foldability and lightness of cardboard in a single innovative product
Trippy Tek's SAB offers a sturdy, high-visibility, and collapsible design that's budget-friendly, ensuring you don't have to compromise on quality or convenience.
In this post, we've highlighted some incredibly well-made still air boxes (SAB) created by community members. These designs are creative but not always cheap to make, which is why you don't see them produced on a large scale. However, they've inspired us in creating the Trippy Tek Still Air Box.
We focused on making our SAB available for mass production. This way, it's affordable for anyone seeking a good mix of quality durable materials, versatility, storage high quality and a quicker path to mushroom growing success. Take a look and enjoy your journey into mycology!
Trippy Tek
Trippy Tek is committed to further democratizing the world of mycology, making this hobby more accessible to everyone! We recognize the wide-ranging potential benefits of mycelium, from psilocybin therapy for mental health to sustainable mycelium-based packaging.
Wider adoption is achieved by lowering entry costs and enhancing the mushroom growing experience, without diminishing the rewarding sensation of cultivating mushrooms from scratch.
