Worms

[AndrewH]

Gonna start growing worms :D.

Started a compost pile (all organic: yard debris, kitchen scraps, saw dust, BBQ ashes, etc.). Depending on weather conditions throughout the winter/spring, I should have some GOOD worm dirt shortly.

Plan is to simply get a styrofoam ice chest, toss in the good worm dirt, then toss in a box of red worms (fishing worms). I might try more than one type of worm (probably red worms first, then earth worms and maybe some black worms or inch worms).

Anyone already growing worms?

[sap]

i have been wanting to do this for a long time.... but since i dont have a large number of CA/SA cichlids anymore its kind of pointless...
http://www.composters.com/pbj/imageGallery.php?imageID=145

[AndrewH]

Link doesn't work for me??? :confuzeld:

EDIT: finally came up but took a while :D

[sap]

YouTube - Setting Up a Worm Composting Bin

[AndrewH]

i have been wanting to do this for a long time.... but since i dont have a large number of CA/SA cichlids anymore its kind of pointless...
http://www.composters.com/pbj/imageGallery.php?imageID=145

I assume the different compartments are for keeping different types of worms, or is there some other point to the multiple containers?

Those pre-made systems are nice. Think I'll DIY a red-neck/hill billy :hillbilly: version of that one (cheap :spend:) ;).

[AndrewH]

YouTube - Setting Up a Worm Composting Bin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxhEQEA0GN8)

:exactly:
nice vid

[spxsk]

Use a plastic bin, not styrofoam. You are going to be digging in it and moving things around a bit, you want some durability.

I have been composting for 30 years, and you will so happy with the resulting soil and worms.

[sap]

i think that composter is designed to look good in the back yard and collect the worm tea as opposed to breeding worms for use in fish/fishing

[AndrewH]

Use a plastic bin, not styrofoam. You are going to be digging in it and moving things around a bit, you want some durability.

I have been composting for 30 years, and you will so happy with the resulting soil and worms.

Good point, but I only plan on digging with my (washed clean) hands, but you never know when a spade might be involved so plastic it is. :D.

What type(s) do you breed? Do you feed 'em to the fishes? More info/detail :hehe:

i think that composter is designed to look good in the back yard and collect the worm tea as opposed to breeding worms for use in fish/fishing

Ahh, now I see. They are a ton more attractive.

[spxsk]

I have not harvested the worms for my fish. I compost to reduce my garbage amount, and to feed to my landscape. I have tons and tons of red wigglers and some big night crawlers as well.

[AndrewH]

Ooooo, might have to strike a deal once I'm up and running :D.

[130galcichlid]

Cichlids love the shrimp!

[cichlidkeeper]

want some quail crap? free:D

[Brackish_Zygote]

I breed earthworms for my turtle last year. It would have worked out great except a rat had found the pot and kept my stash small without me realizing it. If you can keep the other predators out, then it's easy as can be.

Just keep them fed, cool and moist and everything should be fine.

[AndrewH]

Think they'd like my greenhouse?

[Brackish_Zygote]

As long as it doesn't get too hot. Go buy some bait worms, throw them in a bucket and see how they do.

[AbovetheStorm]

Alright now that I have found the right spot for my posts. lol How are your worms doing? Having any luck? I've got mine in a couple of small plastic coffee cans for now until I set up something a little better.

Edit to add: I am thinking of going with this set up. It is similar to what my grandad did except he used and old claw foot bathtub. I may throw in some fruit and veggies as well though so they will be healthy for the fish.

http://www.thekrib.com/Food/worms.html

[xtc]

Will worms break down grass clippings? I'd rather break it down to dirt than bag it and give it to the city.

[biggin]

From what i have read you want ot dry out the clippings first....it sounded like a lot of work...

Will worms break down grass clippings? I'd rather break it down to dirt than bag it and give it to the city.

[xtc]

yea- but not as much work as convincing the child to bag the clippings- at least with worms he's somewhat enjoying the process. I've got the space to dry out the grass.

Only problem I see for us is the greasy foods...WTF?! That's 90% of our diet...

[biggin]

I keep looking at this and then thinking about how little food we eat that could go in there...

[xtc]

I could use the quality dirt...that's the real draw for me. I'm not even sure Peanut would eat the worms...

[fidel]

imma try this

[biggin]

All my fish dig worms....

the fahaka loves them.

I could use the quality dirt...that's the real draw for me. I'm not even sure Peanut would eat the worms...

[AndrewH]

Alright now that I have found the right spot for my posts. lol How are your worms doing? Having any luck? I've got mine in a couple of small plastic coffee cans for now until I set up something a little better.

Edit to add: I am thinking of going with this set up. It is similar to what my grandad did except he used and old claw foot bathtub. I may throw in some fruit and veggies as well though so they will be healthy for the fish.

http://www.thekrib.com/Food/worms.html

Actually, I ended up getting a GREAT deal on a used pre-fabbed setup (like this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/5-TRAY-WORM-RECYCLE-GARDEN-COMPOSTER-COMPOST-BIN_W0QQitemZ370178869913QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFertil izer_Soil_Amendments?hash=item370178869913&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)), which comes pre-loaded with worms :hehe:


My grandfather used an old deep freezer and we always had plenty of fishing worms ;). But I think my wife would appreciate something a little more "neat" (as well as my neighbors :exactly:) though it really doesn't matter to me as long as the worms are happy.

Will worms break down grass clippings? I'd rather break it down to dirt than bag it and give it to the city.

Yes the worms can have anything that's biodegradable. Any yard debris, table scraps, etc. (coffee grinds, leftovers, etc.). I think I read somewhere that citrus fruit isn't good, but I can't find that info now (too much acid or something along those lines).

From what i have read you want ot dry out the clippings first....it sounded like a lot of work...

Actually, you're supposed to water the worms pretty often (more in the summer), so the grass would be re-moistened on a regular bases. Kinna part bacteria (compost) and part worms.

I could use the quality dirt...that's the real draw for me. I'm not even sure Peanut would eat the worms...

;), that's one of the reasons I was looking into worms myself. Good dirt, not having the city haul it off or leaving the clippings in my yard, tossing in the fall leaves, worms for the fishes, etc.

Planning to take the cage off my totes and use the totes for water and cage for compost/worms ;). Not too bad for $40 :tease:.

[AndrewH]

From what i have read you want ot dry out the clippings first....it sounded like a lot of work...

Now that I re-read some of this, I think I'm getting composting and worms mixed up a little.

Seems a little more research is in my near future :rofl:

[AndrewH]

Well my worms are going good!

I checked on them yesterday and they were all sprawled out throughout the 4 "stories" of the worm mansion I have going.

I was cleaning out my gutters the other day and found some really good "semi-composted" leave debris to toss into the worm house. They seem to love it.

I haven't seen any babies yet, but not sure what the breeding procedures are for these guys. I'll see about posting a pic or vid later on today/tonight.