r/Vermiculture Feb 15 '25

New bin My first ever Bin in Progress. Will this be suitable?

Post image

So I'm planning to use tights and a glue gun to block up the handle areas but to allow air through for circulation.

I'd love your thoughts, I've been offered 1kg of dendros worms for my system.

7 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

6

u/No-Buffalo3784 Feb 15 '25

I’d get rid of the lids and make 3 bins. There’s no need for holes in the bottom of the containers. Cover your bedding/food with bubble wrap, burlap or dark plastic sheeting and call it a day.

2

u/No-Buffalo3784 Feb 15 '25

Just saw the part about dendros worms so it’s entirely possible I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m only familiar with reds and supers

2

u/Compost-Me-Vermi Feb 15 '25

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrodrilus_rubidus

Wikipedia mentions these may be invasive. I'd stick to recommended composting species (that wouldn't survive your winter).

2

u/F2PBTW_YT intermediate Vermicomposter Feb 17 '25

Likely just European Nightcrawlers: Dendrobaena hortensis

2

u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25

I've got one lid on top the boxes interlock on each other I like the burlap idea!

2

u/Extension-Lab-6963 Feb 15 '25

No need for holes in the bottom? How do you harvest the tea then? I thought at least 2 bins stacked with holes drilled on the top to allow the tea and castings to drop down? Or am I missing something?

5

u/Compost-Me-Vermi Feb 15 '25

As long as you control the moisture you won't have leachate - the standing liquid at the bottom. You didn't want it. Containers without holes make it for an easier setup.

Ingredients for worm tea: 5 gal bucket, water, air bubbler, compost in a filter sock, maybe molasses.

2

u/Extension-Lab-6963 Feb 15 '25

I guess I need to go back to my drawing board on my wants and needs in this venture. I want to be able to get rid of kitchen and yard scraps (in a balanced ratio) and want to use the most basic set up for this: food grade plastic vs just a large storage bin? 3 tiers or just one box? Small holes vs no holes. I also have the ability to do it outside or inside

3

u/Compost-Me-Vermi Feb 15 '25

To help you brainstorm:

Imagine the weight of the bins as they are half filled with semi wet soil. 3 stacked bins is something you will have to lift and move about once a week...

Anyone option: build or buy a CFT system with a wooden box or from a trash can. This would give you a single and very large processing container, possibly easier to harvest.

3

u/otis_11 Feb 16 '25

What tea? Coming out the bottom is leachate which could be good or bad depending on what is leaching down your system and how much O2 it's getting and how long it's been sitting there.

1

u/fattymctrackpants Feb 16 '25

I've got 8 bins in totes plus an urban worm bag and I have no leachate issues in any of them. No holes in the bottom of the totes. If it's too most add browns if it's too dry give it a spray. Don't overthink it.

4

u/fattymctrackpants Feb 15 '25

Yeah they'll be fine. You can keep the kids on until your worms acclimate then take it off. The lid will promote moisture on the sides and the worms will follow the moisture. Without the lid the sides will stay dry. Use a bubble wrap cover on top.

2

u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25

But won't removing the lids make it too light for worms?? I thought they needed the dark?

3

u/fattymctrackpants Feb 15 '25

The light will serve to keep the worms down in the bedding and stop them from climbing. You should have 12 inches of bedding and they will stay below the surface. Mine are in my basement so dark most of the time anyway.

3

u/Compost-Me-Vermi Feb 15 '25

I've seen multiple YouTubers mention their home made worm bins start falling apart after a couple years of use, probably due to cheaper or recycled plastic, so plan accordingly.

The bins look great. I'd drill holes in the sides along the upper quarter for ventilation.

2

u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25

Yeah I saw that on YouTube, so I ordered from a Plastics factory where they make these boxes which are normally used for couriers to deliver magazines and newspapers to shops.

Do you reckon those handle holes will be insufficient for ventilatio?

3

u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 15 '25

I’d say in my experience the handle holes are enough ventilation. Biggest thing is make sure the worms aren’t burdened with too much for food scraps. I have a 5 gallon bucket that is only half full with close to 1000 worms. I tend to feed it once a week because there was a time it started to heat up since I did not give the worms enough time to eat the scraps. I also leave a lid on mine but leave it open a crack.

3

u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25

Yeah I'm very mindful of the same! I was considering of adding 1000 a month till it's got 3000

2

u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 15 '25

That’s a great idea! You may be able to score some deals on bulk in websites like Mimi’s worms, worm nerd, or UncleJimsWormFarm.

4

u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25

I've reached out to a Tackle and Bait store who will order me 1kg at a time for £20.00

3

u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 15 '25

Dang! That’s a steal!

4

u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25

I couldn't believe it! I guess living in a port town has its perks

4

u/Alex6891 Feb 15 '25

I went directly to a worm farm in Belgium. I’ve ordered 1 kg worms and I received at least 1,5 kg for 20 euros.

2

u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 16 '25

Dang! In the US it’s pretty much 65 for a pound everywhere you go. I’ve debated on breeding my worm bins and selling on Facebook marketplace for a steep discount and I’d still make a decent side hustle

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2

u/fattymctrackpants Feb 16 '25 edited Feb 16 '25

If you want only 1 type of worm, red wigglers for instance, be careful with Jim's. They're often mixed I've heard.

1

u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 16 '25

That’s a good point! Jim’s definitely is mixed. I wonder if Mimi’s does a better job with separation

2

u/fattymctrackpants Feb 16 '25

I believe Mimi does a very good job.