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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum
Larry C
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 53
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 3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/19 13:42 Thanks for all the past input on my other questions. I have my first bin built out of 2x6's with a 3/4 inch floor. It is 3' X 8' and 15" deep.It will have a 1/2" plywood lid. The exterior and lid will be insulated.

Now, here's 3 more questions

1) How many 1" vent holes should I put along the top edge? Should I vent just the two 8' sides, or ends also? I want to retain heat from the heating cables, but I also know they need to have plenty of air.

2)Regarding the heating cable, should they lay on the floor of the bin, or be up higher in the bedding? I expect to have the bedding 12" deep. I will be laying 1/4" hardware cloth over the cables to protect them and help disperse the heat. It would be nice to have them at the bottom and out of the way, but I want them to be effecient also.

3)Last question - with 12" of bedding will the EF's migrate to the very bottom and turn the bottom bedding into castings also? My bedding material will be 50-75% aged horse manure, blended with other compost and shredded paper.

Thanks,

Larry
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Larry C
User

A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 53
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 Re:3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/20 20:43 Wow! lot's of lookers at my question...but no opinions yet from anyone? Any experienced wormers out there? Even an answer to one of my 3 questions is welcomed.
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timnbama
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 120
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 Re:3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/20 23:10 As I don't use covered beds I can't say with certainty but with 1" holes I'd think about 4-6 each side should be plenty. I don't know if you would need any on the ends but 1 or 2 shouldn't hurt that much unless it's in a very drafty location.
I think that the heating cable would do better down on the bottom. I want to build some beds out of concrete blocks and run pvc pipes through the beds so I can circulate hot water if needed. Hopefully I'll come up with some system that will work on those lines and be cheap to run when it is needed. I'm looking at maybe building a gasifier system or maybe a heater with a hot water tank.
Since I don't have EF's I can't say on the last question. I would think that with a large enough population and if you left them all in there long enough then they would over time do that. Probaly your choice of bedding material will have some affect on that. Maybe some of the EF people will help you with that one.
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Larry C
User

A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 53
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 Re:3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/21 01:32 timinbama,

Thanks for the response. As for the hole spacing, that's what I was guessing. About 12-18" apart. Thanks

Larry
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thewormguys
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 55
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 Re:3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/21 07:55 Here are my thoughts.
1) I would cover the vent holes in the winter to retain the heat.

2) Here is an idea for heating your bin.
http://www.wormwoman.com/acatalog/WormEzine_6.pdf

3) From my experience I found that the worms go where ever the food is. If the bottom bedding is a food source they will go for it.


Rob
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thewormguys
User

A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 55
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 Re:3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/21 07:57 Here are my thoughts.
1) I would cover the vent holes in the winter to retain the heat.

2) Here is an idea for heating your bin.
http://www.wormwoman.com/acatalog/WormEzine_6.pdf

3) From my experience I found that the worms go where ever the food is. If the bottom bedding is a food source they will go for it.


Rob
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farmer9989
User

A Hatchling Earthworm
Posts: 19
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 Re:3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/21 21:30 agree on all points except would not put heat cables in ben but below it . jimmy We don't necessarily need to save the world , it will survive in spite of us .WE is what we need to save !!!
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Larry C
User

A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 53
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 Re:3 more questions on my first bin construction - 2008/08/22 01:34 Rob, tried the link on alternative way to heat beds, but it comes up error.

Edit: never mind...it finally did come up. Thanks!

Larry

Post edited by: Larry C, at: 2008/08/22 01:38
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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

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