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wonderwoman
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A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 9

ph balance - 2008/07/11 19:04 Hello Worm Farmers, this is linda again. My question for today. The worm bins I have are 18gal totes the ph has gone up to just above 7 what do I do to bring it down? The ph has gone almost alkaline. The bedding is made up of peat moss, the food is a mixture of corn meal with no salt in it and laying mash for chickens. The mash was sifted to remove the large pieces out of it. The worms don't seem to mind yet but i do not wish to cause a problem in the beds. Any help would be appreciated. Thankyou again in advance. linda

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gnosnhoj

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 543

Re:ph balance - 2008/07/11 20:42 Your l'il fellas oughta be fine at 7+/-, Linda, as long as the pH shift wasn't a fast one.
Were I you, I'd add some variety to both your bedding (shred paper/cardboard/leaves) and chow (veggie/fruit leftovers, coffee grounds etc.).
That oughta give the herd various levels of tasty stuff to get through regularly.
They don't get much nutrient value from peat moss, and mash can contain a bit too much sodium and such. Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY

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lkittle
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 35

Re:ph balance - 2008/07/12 06:49 Hi Linda: I agree with Gary and heres why. Peat moss will get a covering over the water holding cells called pateina. That covering keeps the worms from using the water for breathing. It cuts off the oxygen exchange and the worms become lathargic and start to estivate(sort of a hibertation mode) to conserve what O2 they have. If you keep the moisture level so that water is on the bin bottem in droplets then peat moss is ok for bedding, for short term 2 weeks maximum then a new wetting is needed. Better bedding is paper shredds, leaves chopped up, cardboard torn up and coffee grounds all in combination. Animal solid waste from herbavores(plant eaters). Some need to be aged some can be fresh. But in all cases a mixture is better than a single type. Peat moss is better than soil alone but only for shipping and toughening the skin of worms and that only takes three to four days.

Post edited by: lkittle, at: 2008/07/12 06:53 larry
Holley,New York

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wonderwoman
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 9

Re:ph balance - 2008/07/12 10:18 Thanks guys I will take your advice on my little wormies. Like I said I still hsve a lot to learn. linda

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