Worm Inn
equinoxequinox
10 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (22)
chuckiebtoo
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agomendopete
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Heated Worm Inn
Comments (10)mendopete writes: "I also like the sturdy wood construction better than the flimsy PVC stands I often see. " Yes the wood stand is very sturdy and ought to be able to withstand the weight of a full Worm Inn. " Because of air-flow from all directions, it seems like bag systems would be very susceptible to cold temps. You may find the cables across the front interfere with using the "udder" and harvesting. Maybe if you just cabled 3 walls and left the front un-cabled? " Actually, the first attempt to use this heating scheme was a total failure. I thought by heating the air in the entire stand that plenty of heat would find its way into the Worm Inn. Wrong. The Worm In is not as permeable to air flow as I thought. Instead the heated air would run up the sides of the stand and out the very top of the Worm Inn leaving the bedding unheated. I experimented with thermostat probe locations which revealed that plenty of heating was taking place . . . . just not where I wanted it to. A couple of design modifications solved the problem handily: 1. I moved the heat cable to cover the bottom (floor) of the stand (except where the leachate bucket sits). 2. I installed an insulation board baffle about half-way up the stand to prevent the device from "short-circuiting". The baffle has a hole in the center which allows the bottom half of the Worm Inn to extend through . . . . in this way the heat must enter the Worm Inn to escape. This works much better with the temperature now cycling normally. Regards, HB...See Moreproblem with Worm Inn
Comments (16)Hmm, how much do you feed a week? Have to ask again and is my main question right now as I feel I'm missing something. And to double check. Your pics show one years worth of bedding and food in a Inn where NOTHING has been removed or harvested ever, correct? It is really weird, here's my thought process so for. You said it's been a year and nothing has been harvested and/or removed. Normally I'd have said it was few worms and tiny feedings so population hasn't grown (or something keeping them down) and the VC amount is so tiny. You've seen my pics and I'm one person who doesn't cook that much. But you mentioned you have lots of worms. So maybe they are not the right types. But then the feedings would still have to be fairly small as after a year, I'd have thought just rotted food would give you more black stuff (hence the feeding question). Then again, never seen the results of bins with basically no composting worms. If they are the wrong worms, would explain why bedding is untouched and they haven't grown in population much. Also explain you having lots of fruit flies, food sitting uneaten until it decomposes. BTW how long until a feeding is fully eaten? With decent number of worms, bedding not being eaten, food being slow and lack of VC.... I'm leaning to wrong worms, looking forward to your pics. Not going to be easy though, telling from a photo is never easy. That would be the 'nice' problem as then it would be, just get some worms and off you, go as opposed to anything you've done. Here's a vid about worm quantities just to quantify worm amounts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ4uYXHydoo equinoxequinox Yeah I never got newspaper to work well in a bin, too wet and it would just clump up. Professionally (large scale) I've seen it used, but those are in flat beds (not that deep and drier). Works better in the Inn also, but even then I prefer it on top so it doesn't compact too much....See MoreQuestion on Worm Inn
Comments (5)I've got one and haven't had any issues or any reason to mix. I certainly do see that the wetter it is, the more compact it gets. But for me this is a compaction of finished VC so no smell or anaerobic processes going on. I wonder if being wet, rained on (wind from the sides..), or high water content feedings (or a bit of all the above) that some leachate basically washed down into your lower VC and then started to stink. VC itself shouldn't stink. If it has a tendency to compress down due to being damp, you could always increase the amount of bedding you add with your feedings. I always lean to adding more than less, if some comes out of the bottom still while harvesting it's fine as I just put it back on top. Should help keeping things aerated, corrugated cardboard doing a better job than regular paper....See MoreWho Among You have a Worm Inn
Comments (3)Hi Barbara, fresh organic material that is high on the 'greens' (nitrogen) side will be quickly colonized by the bacteria that break it down. These little creatures generate heat while working, maybe just a tiny bit each but the more of those greens you have in one pile the more they will multiply and billions of them can make some serious ticks on the thermometer. This is the same as a compost pile that heats up simply by the mix of greens/browns and adding water. In the worm bin you dont want it to get too hot though so the worms need a place to escape even if it is just the other side of a tray. As I understand it to get to the really hot bacteria (thermophilic) the pile needs quite a lot of mass so that probably isnt an issue for the worm bin but even lower temperature bacteria can push heat up over 100F which isnt good for the verm....See Morepetrock1963
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agosolst1ce
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoboreal_wormer
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoShaul
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agohummersteve
10 years agolast modified: 9 years ago11otis
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agohummersteve
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agocoreyandtrevor
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agomendopete
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agobarbararose21101
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoequinoxequinox
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoequinoxequinox
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agobarbararose21101
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agobarbararose21101
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoequinoxequinox
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoequinoxequinox
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoharry757
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoequinoxequinox
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoCharlie
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Related Stories
FEEL-GOOD HOME21 Ways to Waste Less at Home
Whether it's herbs rotting in the fridge or clothes that never get worn, most of us waste too much. Here are ways to make a change
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGet Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort
Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places
Full StorySponsored
equinoxequinoxOriginal Author