maxi filter earthworms, can it work?

[gianni fasolo]

Hi, I built a plastic tank and fill this expanded clay and earthworms, I put it as a filter between the fish tank and the hot vegetables.
I placed this inside the tank grow and is affected by tide so the worms are not always soak.
Practically the grow is powered by the waste of earthworms that eat a lot of fish poo willingly and swell visibly.
I've been trying for three weeks and so far it has formed the usual carpet of mud that sometimes stinks, the water is clean and the plants grow normally for now.
Do you think I can work, there may be problems with the work of bacteria?
hello and thanks to those who answered me

[Nicholas Jamieson]

All I can contribute is that I use red worms in my growbed and that works great!  Never tried earthworms, but I might now my kids would love to hold bigger worms in their hands than the little red wigglers.

[Mario Brignone]

Hi Gianni,

would you like to post your experience and your photos on our site (in italian)? www.akuadulza.net

:-)

Bye!

Mario

[Carson Miller]

Hi Gianni,

Earthworms are not well suited to aquaponics because they do not process waste near the surface and like to burrow deep into soil.  Without knowing too much about your system, I would suggest removing the earthworms and using redworms or 'red wigglers' instead.  More information on the difference between redworms and earthworms can be found here.

Best Regards,

Carson

[Jim Fisk]

You may be confusing "night crawlers" with "earth worms". Around here we place a grain bag (or 10) on the ground near the chickens (manure rich soil) and we can collect at least 50 worms a week right from under each bag (or board but bags are better). These are composting worms and seem to work every bit as well as the reds we have purchased. The night crawlers are composters also but they like deep permanent burrows and aren't as happy in a GB although I have had even those last for many, many months.

Carson Miller said:

Hi Gianni,

Earthworms are not well suited to aquaponics because they do not process waste near the surface and like to burrow deep into soil.  Without knowing too much about your system, I would suggest removing the earthworms and using redworms or 'red wigglers' instead.  More information on the difference between redworms and earthworms can be found here.

Best Regards,

Carson