Comments on: Mini VermiPonics System

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 03:30:48 +0000

In reply to Interested. This is very simple. The fountain pump just sits in the reservoir, sucks up water from the reservoir, and pumps it through the hose into the grow bed. It then percolates down and drains back into the reservoir. Definitely no need for connection to running water source.

By: Interested

Interested — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 07:38:00 +0000

Could you show me/ explain how to set up the submersible pump inside the vermiponics garden, if it needs to be connected to a running water source, etc?

By: MamaBaker

MamaBaker — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 20:40:58 +0000

Would river rocks work? They would be a little less harsh on the worms.

By: Larry G.

Larry G. — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:25:33 +0000

If improper aeration is a problem, consider installing a venturi valve on the exhaust tube. The plants/worms would love the extra oxygen. Make the tube long enough to give plenty of room for air/water contact. I included a video of how to set this up. If you’re like me, you have all the parts lying around. If not, the entire setup is probably around $10.

On another note, I’m thinking of incorporating this into a aqua/aeroponics system. The bacteria from the worm castings are supposed to dissolve unwanted ammonium from the fish poop.

By: scott

scott — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:32:25 +0000

Great!…. I no sooner than think I have a cool setup…. someone comes along and tempts me with another cool, low tech, yet fun sounding way to consume my time….LOL… ya’ll rock!

By: Colin

Colin — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 06:38:23 +0000

Hello Bentley lad’s ‘n lasses.I have been thinking about setting up a Vermiponics system.. but was was wondering if it would be any better than the Wicking beds* I’m already using other than river sand in the reservoir and a great deal more organic growing medium in the bed.. I guess I should give it a go! Col L

* wicking beds a C Austin concept powered my worms

By: Bentley

Bentley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:27:46 +0000

Yeah – I guess it never hurts to err on the side of caution! Although, there seems to be toxins in pretty well EVERYTHING these days! lol
Good idea re: the aeration. I do have a small air stone in the reservoir, but something a bit more substantial would certainly help.

By: John

John — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:54:16 +0000

Great project! Be careful with the dryer lint tho. If you use some type of non-toxic laundry soap it won’t be as toxic tot eh worms or the food you grow. I also wonder about the synthetic textiles used to make clothing these days. I wonder if it would be beneficial to add an aerator pump to the water to help reduce pathogens and provide oxygen for the worms?

By: Bentley

Bentley — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:58:19 +0000

Hi Jeff,
While there probably wouldn’t be much point in harvesting the castings from this system (since getting soaked, and a lot of value being removed by plants), removing worms has been something I’ve given some thought to. Part of my motivation for creating the feed tube (with removable insert) was to see if I could also remove concentrations of worms. Once the plants start to grow up it will be next to impossible to remove worms in
any other manner (without seriously disturbing the bed). Initially, the main goal will simply be to see how well plants grow in the system.

I’m not stocking a specific quantity of worms. All I did was add a bunch of material that contained worms. I prefer to let the population grow from there.

Let me know how your own experiment works out for you!
8)

By: Jeff Kurtz

Jeff Kurtz — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:53:57 +0000

Bentley,,, Will there be any way to harvest castings or worms from this system? or are you just going to let the population adjust to the volume and maintain the plants growing there.

How many worms are you thinking? 1# to start?

I’m going to clone what you did and try it soon.

Have a great week!

Jeff. (snowed in in PA)