A still air box (SAB) relies on calm, undisturbed air to minimize contamination — you work through arm holes in a sealed container. A laminar flow hood actively pushes HEPA-filtered air across your workspace in a smooth, unidirectional stream. The flow hood is faster to work in, allows open-air access, and provides dramatically better contamination control at scale.

If you're a hobbyist working in a small space like an apartment, the Model 1 (13" × 15") is perfect — it's lightweight, portable, and under $350. If you need enclosed workspace with positive pressure, the Model 2 Bio Hood gives you a 24" × 24" cabinet. For a larger open work area suitable for small commercial operations, the Model 4 (24" × 24") is the sweet spot.

Mycology workspaces need to be sanitized regularly. Metal can be wiped down with isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or bleach — the same agents you use to sterilize your tools and surfaces. Wood and MDF are porous, absorb moisture, harbor mold spores in their grain, and cannot be properly disinfected. In a discipline where contamination is the enemy, your equipment should be as cleanable as your technique.

It depends on your usage and environment. For hobby use in a clean room, a filter can last 1–2 years. For daily commercial use, you may need to replace it every 6–12 months. Clean the pre-filter monthly with a soft brush or vacuum to extend the HEPA filter's life. Our removable filter retainers make swapping quick and easy.

Yes. Our flow hoods are technically horizontal flow units, meaning the clean air blows from the filter face outward across your workspace. They can also be mounted vertically if your setup requires it. Horizontal orientation is standard for mycology work because it pushes contaminants away from your work and off the table edge.

Absolutely. The Model 2 Bio Hood is the Model 1 FFU mounted on top of a positive-pressure cabinet. We sell the base cabinet separately for $275 (on sale from $499) so existing Model 1 owners can upgrade without buying a second filter unit.

When you purchase any flow hood unit, a 15% discount code is activated for your customer account. You can use this code on our agar products as often as you wish — it never expires. It's our way of making sure you get the most out of your new clean workspace.