Making a worm bin - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T15:28:48Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/making-a-worm-bin?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A513220&feed=yes&xn_auth=noJust wanted to note that I di…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-11-01:4778851:Comment:5274152013-11-01T20:31:32.338ZDanielhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DanielsPromise
<p>Just wanted to note that I did make time to build a flow through worm bin out of a 55 gal drum. Details on my blog:<a href="http://www.whatisaquaponics.co/worm-bin-upgrade-a-diy-flow-through-bin/">http://www.whatisaquaponics.co/worm-bin-upgrade-a-diy-flow-through-bin/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm hopeful this will be a better bin than my first one, though I really didn't give the first bin long enough to prove itself...</p>
<p>Just wanted to note that I did make time to build a flow through worm bin out of a 55 gal drum. Details on my blog:<a href="http://www.whatisaquaponics.co/worm-bin-upgrade-a-diy-flow-through-bin/">http://www.whatisaquaponics.co/worm-bin-upgrade-a-diy-flow-through-bin/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm hopeful this will be a better bin than my first one, though I really didn't give the first bin long enough to prove itself...</p> My big wooden flow thru is ma…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-07:4778851:Comment:5139792013-09-07T19:48:59.546ZPat Jameshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PatJames
<p>My big wooden flow thru is made from mainly scrap lumber I scrounged when a roof was repaired. I made a couple other ft's from tidy cat litter containers. Both work fairly well. The main thing is if you want to sift the compost for castings, you need a system for that. No matter how long the stuff stays in the worm bin, alot is still unfinished-good stuff mixed with bad. I simply sift it and return the larger material to the bin.</p>
<p>My big wooden flow thru is made from mainly scrap lumber I scrounged when a roof was repaired. I made a couple other ft's from tidy cat litter containers. Both work fairly well. The main thing is if you want to sift the compost for castings, you need a system for that. No matter how long the stuff stays in the worm bin, alot is still unfinished-good stuff mixed with bad. I simply sift it and return the larger material to the bin.</p> Thanks for the link Pat. Look…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-06:4778851:Comment:5135612013-09-06T18:22:39.501ZDanielhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DanielsPromise
Thanks for the link Pat. Looks like you built an awesome flow through vermicomposting system. I think I'll eventually try making a FT system with an extra 55gal barrel I have on hand.
Thanks for the link Pat. Looks like you built an awesome flow through vermicomposting system. I think I'll eventually try making a FT system with an extra 55gal barrel I have on hand. This is a link to one of the…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-05:4778851:Comment:5134502013-09-05T22:02:45.924ZPat Jameshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PatJames
<p>This is a link to one of the better vermicomposting sites I have ever sound on the net.</p>
<p>I have not been active for a long time now but here is a link to my profile. You can look at the pics I posted and see my methods from what I posted. <a href="http://vermicomposters.ning.com/profile/PatJames238" target="_blank">http://vermicomposters.ning.com/profile/PatJames238</a></p>
<p>I have found alot of people try to re-invent the wheel when dealing with worms. That or they repeat advice and…</p>
<p>This is a link to one of the better vermicomposting sites I have ever sound on the net.</p>
<p>I have not been active for a long time now but here is a link to my profile. You can look at the pics I posted and see my methods from what I posted. <a href="http://vermicomposters.ning.com/profile/PatJames238" target="_blank">http://vermicomposters.ning.com/profile/PatJames238</a></p>
<p>I have found alot of people try to re-invent the wheel when dealing with worms. That or they repeat advice and 'rules' that really are not necessary.Like a guy who used to frequent the site often said..." Worms is EASY!!!"</p>
<p></p>
<p>One word of advice I have is look at what you want from your worm system. I personally collect and hold 60 gallons of carefully sifted castings for the start of each spring growing season. I use worm castings as seed starting media and as fertilizer. To that end, I have developed an easy way to collect those castings. I do this with just kitchen scraps, newspapers and other paper products that would have gone into the trash and this year algae/ fish funk I skim from my AP system. The latter goes into the bin in my garage.</p> That looks like a great link…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-05:4778851:Comment:5132562013-09-05T18:20:32.650ZDanielhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DanielsPromise
<p>That looks like a great link Mark! I'll have to take a look at it again when I have a block of time to watch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By the way, I've added an update to the end of my blog post to address some of these comments.</p>
<p>That looks like a great link Mark! I'll have to take a look at it again when I have a block of time to watch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By the way, I've added an update to the end of my blog post to address some of these comments.</p> Here is a link to a class on…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-05:4778851:Comment:5134122013-09-05T17:53:18.424ZMark Hallhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MarkHall
<p>Here is a link to a class on vermiculture by Rhonda Sherman at NC State University.She is one of the foremost worm experts. Kinda long but might be worth a watch.</p>
<p><a href="http://mediasite.online.ncsu.edu/online/Play/ac1df0dc7d7b42169b05747f12d25b5d1d?catalog=1ec0688b-568a-4a47-a8ca-8926e7b4ef1b" target="_blank">http://mediasite.online.ncsu.edu/online/Play/ac1df0dc7d7b42169b05747f12d25b5d1d?catalog=1ec0688b-568a-4a47-a8ca-8926e7b4ef1b</a></p>
<p>Here is a link to a class on vermiculture by Rhonda Sherman at NC State University.She is one of the foremost worm experts. Kinda long but might be worth a watch.</p>
<p><a href="http://mediasite.online.ncsu.edu/online/Play/ac1df0dc7d7b42169b05747f12d25b5d1d?catalog=1ec0688b-568a-4a47-a8ca-8926e7b4ef1b" target="_blank">http://mediasite.online.ncsu.edu/online/Play/ac1df0dc7d7b42169b05747f12d25b5d1d?catalog=1ec0688b-568a-4a47-a8ca-8926e7b4ef1b</a></p> The only time worms try to es…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-05:4778851:Comment:5131402013-09-05T17:44:07.167ZAlex Veidelhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AlexVeidel
<p>The only time worms try to escape from your bin is if there is something they're trying to escape from. Conditions in the bin got bad for worms or maybe a mole got in there...things of that nature :) <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Daniel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/making-a-worm-bin#4778851Comment513242"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Always glad for your expert advice Converse. I have the drain pipe capped, so no worms can escape - it…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>The only time worms try to escape from your bin is if there is something they're trying to escape from. Conditions in the bin got bad for worms or maybe a mole got in there...things of that nature :) <br/> <br/> <cite>Daniel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/making-a-worm-bin#4778851Comment513242"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Always glad for your expert advice Converse. I have the drain pipe capped, so no worms can escape - it is just for periodic removal of the leachate. I made the comment that drain holes are not strictly needed because I figured I could always dump the bin over to drain extra water - but regardless, I'm glad to know I did the right thing by including one on the front end. It had not occurred to me about mold developing on the cheesecloth, so I will re-think this.</p>
<p>A question though on the additional small holes on the top/sides/bottom - I did not want to add extra holes because I wanted the flexibility to bring the box indoors during the winter if needed; If I have holes along the sides, wouldn't they leak and/or occasional worm make an escape? I'm already on strict orders from my wife that she will help collect food scraps as long as she never needs to see the worms ;-) so I don't want to jeopardize my arrangement. haha. If this box goes well, I'd like to make a larger outdoor box with a flow-through type basis (i.e. add food to top, collect vermicompost from the bottom), in which case extra ventilation holes could be included with no problems. </p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> You've nailed it on the 'one…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-05:4778851:Comment:5134082013-09-05T17:39:41.416ZDanielhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DanielsPromise
<p>You've nailed it on the 'one more thing' list - I certainly don't want to be adding to my to-do list. I'll add some additional ventilation holes and see how it goes. I like the idea of under the kitchen sink too - I like to plan for efficiency and effectiveness, and having the bin under the sink would increase the efficiency greatly!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>You've nailed it on the 'one more thing' list - I certainly don't want to be adding to my to-do list. I'll add some additional ventilation holes and see how it goes. I like the idea of under the kitchen sink too - I like to plan for efficiency and effectiveness, and having the bin under the sink would increase the efficiency greatly!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p> How often would you open the…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-05:4778851:Comment:5132432013-09-05T17:23:41.587ZConversehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Converse
<p> How often would you open the drain plug? Seems like just 'one more thing' to do that is not necessary. You do not want any pooling of leachate in your bin. That can start fermentation process (anaerobic) and smell. </p>
<p> We have had a redworm bin in our livingroom behind our recliner for years. No one ever knew it was there. No "jail breaks" either. The best place for a bin (10 gallon size works best) is in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. .Conveniently placed so it will be…</p>
<p> How often would you open the drain plug? Seems like just 'one more thing' to do that is not necessary. You do not want any pooling of leachate in your bin. That can start fermentation process (anaerobic) and smell. </p>
<p> We have had a redworm bin in our livingroom behind our recliner for years. No one ever knew it was there. No "jail breaks" either. The best place for a bin (10 gallon size works best) is in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. .Conveniently placed so it will be used, but out of sight. No smell. No leaks. No escapes. </p>
<p> - Converse</p> Always glad for your expert a…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-05:4778851:Comment:5132422013-09-05T17:17:06.593ZDanielhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DanielsPromise
<p>Always glad for your expert advice Converse. I have the drain pipe capped, so no worms can escape - it is just for periodic removal of the leachate. I made the comment that drain holes are not strictly needed because I figured I could always dump the bin over to drain extra water - but regardless, I'm glad to know I did the right thing by including one on the front end. It had not occurred to me about mold developing on the cheesecloth, so I will re-think this.</p>
<p>A question though on…</p>
<p>Always glad for your expert advice Converse. I have the drain pipe capped, so no worms can escape - it is just for periodic removal of the leachate. I made the comment that drain holes are not strictly needed because I figured I could always dump the bin over to drain extra water - but regardless, I'm glad to know I did the right thing by including one on the front end. It had not occurred to me about mold developing on the cheesecloth, so I will re-think this.</p>
<p>A question though on the additional small holes on the top/sides/bottom - I did not want to add extra holes because I wanted the flexibility to bring the box indoors during the winter if needed; If I have holes along the sides, wouldn't they leak and/or occasional worm make an escape? I'm already on strict orders from my wife that she will help collect food scraps as long as she never needs to see the worms ;-) so I don't want to jeopardize my arrangement. haha. If this box goes well, I'd like to make a larger outdoor box with a flow-through type basis (i.e. add food to top, collect vermicompost from the bottom), in which case extra ventilation holes could be included with no problems. </p>