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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.
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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%.
Tip: Use distilled water to prevent mineral dust (white powder) from coating your
mushrooms and fans.
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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.
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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.
Warning: Never place a heater directly pointing at your tubs. It will cook them.
Heat the room, not the mushroom.
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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.
Why it matters: Most contamination events happen at night when temperatures drop and condensation forms. Data loggers reveal these invisible problem windows.
6. Complete Automation Shopping List
A realistic budget breakdown for a fully automated Martha tent or grow cabinet:
| Component | Recommended Item | Approx. Cost | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humidity controller | Inkbird IHC-200 | £20–£30 | Essential |
| Ultrasonic humidifier | 5L cool-mist unit | £25–£40 | Essential |
| FAE fan | 80mm PC fan + cycle timer | £10–£15 | Essential |
| Lighting timer | Mechanical plug timer | £5–£8 | Recommended |
| Temperature controller | Inkbird ITC-308 | £25–£35 | If room is cold (<18°C) |
| WiFi sensor/logger | Govee H5179 | £15–£25 | Highly recommended |
| Total (essential) | ~£55–£85 |
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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.
Pro Tip: A simple £10 smart plug (TP-Link Kasa, Tapo) on your humidifier lets you see real-time power draw and schedule backups from your phone if the Inkbird controller fails.
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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.