thanks marla. the rubbermaid that i got isn't for food storage and doesn't seem as airtight as some so maybe that will help. i'm sure i'll be opening it and checking things and checking the perlite--i am sooo paranoid that i'm gonna mess it up! i have been messing with the mixture for 3 days now--last night i made it officially too wet. i never was very good at chemistry and all that scientific measuring stuff. i feel like i need an exact recipe to follow but i know it's just going to take a little trial and error.