WHAT IS A MONOTUB FOR GROWING MUSHROOMS?

Mushrooms can be grown with a handy home grow kit, but if you want multiple harvests, you can turn to growing mushrooms in a monotub. You can grow more psilocybin mushrooms in this and it's actually not difficult at all. If you want to know more, read on below. In this blog, we explain what a monotub is and how to make one.

The monotub tek: what is it?

Basically, a monotub is nothing more than a large container, which you convert into a breeding tank. It creates a suitable climate in which psilocybin mushrooms can grow well. Psilocybin mushrooms have psychoactive properties and can be used for tripping. You can grow them at home, which is legal in the Netherlands, as long as you only grow them for your own use.

The advantage of a monotub is that you keep control over the various factors that are important for psilocybin mushrooms, namely humidity and temperature. You make holes in it to ensure enough fresh air. At the bottom, you place the substrate, giving the magic mushrooms all the nutrients they need. In it, the mycelium forms, from which the mushrooms eventually emerge.

If you know anything about growing magic mushrooms, you'll see that a monotub is practically the same as a grow kit, but a lot bigger. It is a grow bag and fruiting chamber in one. You start simply by inoculating the contents of the already colonised grow bag with spores on the substrate, after which the mycelium will spread. The formation of fruiting bodies will not take long. With a monotub, you can get really huge harvests. If that is your goal, the monotub is the ideal option.

The size of a magic mushroom monotub

If you are interested in growing magic mushrooms in a monotub, an obvious question is how big it should actually be. Actually, any plastic container is fine for growing magic mushrooms in. But you can keep the following considerations in mind.

• The bigger the tub, the higher the yields, but the longer the colonisation time becomes.
• Smaller monotub yields smaller yields, but produces faster flushes.

In the example below, we will get started with a 55-litre tank.

Guide to building a monotub for psilocybin mushrooms

Below, we explain how to make a monotub. First, you will find a list of supplies here:

• Plastic container with a capacity of 55 to 60 litres
• Tape measure
• Stanleymas
• Lighter
• Micropore tape and duct tape
• Marker
• Large spoon
• Polyester fibrefill
• Alcohol

Step 1: Air holes

• You start by marking the air holes. The substrate in this container will be between 7 and 11 cm high. You want to place the air holes just above this, so about 12 cm from the bottom. Make sure there are three air holes spread along the length of the tray. Divide the tray into three equal parts and measure where the holes should be. Mark these spots with the marker.

• Then it's time to cut out the air holes with a saw, drill or with a Stanley knife. Be careful, the plastic may split or break. If this happens, you can repair it with tape or glue.

Step 2: Lining the monotub for psilocybin mushroom growing

• To prevent the magic mushrooms from growing against the side of the tub, you can cover the monotub with a plastic bag, such as a rubbish bag.

Step 3: Making filters with polyester fibrefill

• Making filters is important to avoid contaminating the mycelium and magic mushrooms through the air holes. To do this, use micropore tape or fibrefill. These ensure that air exchange can take place, but bacteria or spores are kept out.

Step 4: Sterilisation

• Sterilising the container is another important step in keeping your mushroom culture clean. For this, use cleaning alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol. Don't be stingy with it and make sure you clean every nook and cranny of the monotub. There is no need to clean again with another cleaning product after this. The alcohol will evaporate on its own.

Step 5: Ready to use

• Your monotub is now ready for use. There are still some useful additions you can make to upgrade your grow even further, such as a heat mat, which helps maintain a stable temperature, a humidifier or an LED strip for extra light. But these are not necessary and you can get off to a good start growing psilocybin mushrooms with this monotub.
  
  

Time to grow and harvest

Growing magic mushrooms with a ready-made grow kit is fun and very easy. But if you are up for a challenge, the monotub is a good solution. And as you can see, it is actually not difficult at all to make one. With a few simple steps, you transform an ordinary plastic container into a magical growing environment for psilocybin mushrooms. Watch the mycelium spread and beautiful, strong mushrooms develop.

When working with the monotub and magic mushrooms, always proceed with caution. Working hygienically and sterile is very important for your own safety and to avoid contamination. Using a liquid culture is a handy tool to speed up the cultivation process, read more about it here:

If you want more information about growing magic mushrooms and everything that comes with it, delve into the work of Paul Stamets. He has written several books on growing mushrooms safely and sterile, such as "The Mushroom Cultivator" and "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms". Internet forums can also be a good source of information, where you can also ask questions yourself. For example, take a look at Mycotopia.net.

If you are going to use magic mushrooms, always take care for your own safety. Start with a low dose if you have never taken magic mushrooms before and arrange a trip sitter. Psychedelic mushrooms can cause side effects such as anxiety, paranoia, dizziness and psychosis (for more information: see Medical News Today). There is always the risk of a bad trip. Do not use shrooms in combination with MAO inhibitors.

Note: Mushrooms contain psilocybin and can have strong mind-altering effects. Cultivation and use is legal in the Netherlands only for personal use. Always check the laws in your country. This blog is informative and not medical advice.