i messed up trying to seal it, i didnt know how to use parafilm so i just put it over the areas i cut for an opening and just added general medical tape over it, do you think its going to get contaminated?
I got some sent to me but the whole thing was separated from the paper backing. I guess I’ll want to wipe it down with alcohol before so put it around any plates.
Thanks for the video - just a random question as a noob here if you don't mind? I see everyone saying to buy vented petri dishes for doing agar but why is this if we want to seal them up with parafilm? TIA
Interesting! I've never ever had any experiences with vented Petri dishes, in fact I've never heard of them until now. Some people do good agar work in those disposable sauce containers, so I really doubt there is much need to get even fancier than parafilmed plastic dishes
@@gaiaconnectionsaustralia Thanks for the rapid replay mate! Yeah I'm new to growing so gathing info and it seems most are using triple vented plates but still wrapping them which confuses me. Either you want air exhange or you don't surely. Unless these vents allow for jsut enough of a gas exchange. I've asked on a few forums to see the general consesnus. It's hard getting "facts" on such an underground hobby.
@@lewismclean6285 oarafiom is breathable to the point where it does actually allow passage of oxygen and CO2, so it is technically a vent - if that helps answer your question If you had vented dishes, you could easily use a less expensive tape to seal them!
@@gaiaconnectionsaustralia Yeah I know the parafilm allows for a filtered exchange which is what makes me wonder why people wrap vented plates but still leave the vents uncovered lol! I'll report back if I get any more replies elsewhere mate. Thanks for taking the time out to reply!
Micropore tape works but it's pretty messy. It doesn't pull off easily and can break your plates. I say give it a go and try your best! Parafilm can be expensive in some countries so alternatives are important.
Grafting tape is a cheap alternative. Bit trickier to wrap in an aseptic way and less self-sealing as compared to Parafilm (grafting tape sticks more like cling wrap) but has similar properties (breathable so will allow gas exchange). Alternatively, in a pinch you could really use anything that allows sealing (cling wrap etc). Mycelium will survive without gas exchange if your goal is only to colonies plates and move to liquid culture (just won't survive long-term).
