Equipment

1. Lighting (The Easy One)

Mushrooms need a 12/12 light cycle to know which way is up. They don't need photosynthesis, just direction.

• Hardware: Simple LED strip (6500k) + Mechanical Timer plug.
• Setting: 12 hours ON, 12 hours OFF.

2. Humidity (Martha Tent)

For a greenhouse setup (Martha), you need constant fog.

• Hardware: Ultrasonic Humidifier (Cool Mist) + Inkbird Humidity Controller.
• Setting: Set controller to maintain 90% RH. It will turn the humidifier on when it drops to 85% and off at 95%.

3. Fresh Air Exchange (FAE)

To remove CO2 automatically.

• Hardware: Computer Fan (PC Fan) + Cycle Timer (Repeat Cycle).
• Setting: Run for 2 minutes every 30 minutes. Do not run 24/7 or you will dry everything out.

4. Temperature

Only needed if your room is very cold.

• Hardware: Small Space Heater + Inkbird Temp Controller.
• Setting: Set to 75°F. Place the probe near the jars/tubs.

5. Data Logging & Alerts

Manual checks miss overnight fluctuations. A data logger records trends and can send phone alerts when conditions drift outside safe ranges.

• Budget option: Govee or Inkbird WiFi sensor — logs to phone app, sends push alerts when RH or temperature goes out of range.
• Advanced: SensorPush HT1 + cloud gateway — records every 10 seconds, exports CSV for trend analysis.
• DIY: Raspberry Pi + DHT22 sensor running Home Assistant — full automation with custom triggers and dashboards.

6. Complete Automation Shopping List

A realistic budget breakdown for a fully automated Martha tent or grow cabinet:

7. Wiring & Safety Considerations

Combining electricity and humidity requires basic electrical safety:

• Use RCD (residual current device) protected sockets — mandatory when operating humidifiers near water.
• Keep all plug connections elevated off the floor and away from condensation drip zones.
• Route sensor wires through pass-throughs in tent walls rather than propping doors open, which destabilises RH.
• Do not daisy-chain extension leads — use a proper power strip with surge protection rated for the total wattage of your equipment.
• Inspect humidifier seals monthly; ultrasonic units can develop leaks around the water tank that damage nearby electronics.

8. Troubleshooting Your Automation

• RH stuck below target: Check humidifier water level, clean ultrasonic disc with white vinegar, verify controller probe is inside tent not outside.
• RH swings wildly: Humidity controller hysteresis set too narrow — widen differential to ±3% (e.g. 87–93% instead of 90–90%).
• Mushrooms drying out despite 90% RH reading: Cheap sensors can read 10% high — calibrate with a salt solution test or replace with a quality unit.
• FAE fan running too long, cracking substrate: Reduce cycle time — try 1 min on / 45 min off and monitor surface moisture daily.
• Temperature spiking: Humidifiers generate slight heat; move the temperature probe away from the humidifier outlet to get an accurate ambient reading.

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