Our tissue culture laboratory is used for propagation and for importing and exporting plants. It is insulated concrete form constuction covered in cedar planks to keep the outside fungus free. The lab has a "canning" style autoclave purchased off the web for less than $800. We get our water from Oil Services in Pittsburgh in 55 gallon drums at <$2 per gallon. The quality of the water is excellent, 18 megaohms.
Our Hood
Our transfer hood is home made. The steel tube frame was made at our local welders for $500. The twin 2 x 2 ft -6 inches thick HEPA filter were purchased off the web. The Dayton Squirrel cage fan (4 speed) is a bit overpowerful at 1000 cfm at the low speed. The air is made "laminar" by the use of two fluroescent light diffusers (see picture). The Squirrel Cage fan is surrounded by a 1/8 in plywood (Luann) box with a furnace filter at the inlet. The fan blows into a similar box behind the HEPA filters. The work area is 30 inches deep-finally, ample workspace. The total price for the hood was $1800.
And, it works!
Five Aces Breeding LLC
Scroll over pictures for brief description