As promised, I have put together a video outlining how to make a smaller version of the “Bait-O-Matic 6000“. I actually created the “Mini” system long before the BOM-6000 was even a goofy daydream in my brain – about a year and a half ago, to be specific. As I explain in the video, I decided to make it so I could sell it to local worm customers. I didn’t have any sort of “worm bin” for sale at the time, and people often wanted to get started with some sort of “kit” – rather than having to figure out how to create their own system etc.
I did eventually stop offering these bins in favor of helping people make their own systems (via videos like this one) – when it comes down to it, I would just rather spend my time playing with worms and writing about it on the site, rather than building worm bins!
Like the BOM-6000, the key feature of the “Mini” is the air vent system. These little plastic vents are a great way to increase air flow in a worm bin (as compared to drill holes), and if I do say so myself, they certainly make the bin look a bit sharper as well.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Jeff “The Friendly Worm Guy” for originally telling me where to buy these vents. As I discovered, they are NOT the easiest things in the world to track down!
Anyway – I hope people enjoy the video. As mentioned in my recent newsletter, there will be a number of new videos on the way over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!
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I have a newbie-type question: Is it safe to use an aluminum vent over the plastic vent shown in the videos? Will an aluminum vent cause an adverse reaction in the bin or with the worms? I can get the aluminum version of the vents locally.
That’s a great question, Granni Jane!
I’m no chemist, but my understanding is that aluminum is a pretty stable metal that won’t oxidize very readily (if at all) so I think you would be totally fine using the aluminum vents.
Some say that plastic leaches out chemicals over time anyway, so it’s not like that’s a flawless method either.
🙂
Thanks, Bentley. I want my future worm herd to be as comfortable as possible. 🙂
Very helpful video! I recently made a similar one for my office, but with 2 tubs nested; there are drill holes in the bottom of the top one, which drains into the one on bottom (you can see the pictures on my blog).
Do you have any criticisms for this approach?
Hey Dave – sorry for the delay. (Things are a little nutty at the moment)
Your system looks pretty cool, based on what I could see of it. I used to be much more of a fan of the nested tubs, but have ended up switching back to more of a K.I.S.S. take on things. I just find the stacking bins to be messy, and the worms always seem to want to head down into the reservoir bin.
They DO have their advantages of course – namely the ability to get rid of excess liquid, which is certainly important!
Ah, interesting. The bottom drill holes are definitely big enough for the baby worms to fit through. I will keep on eye out for that; thanks for the advice!
I just built my first vermicomposter and used this model for inspiration.
You can see my worm bin here.
Thanks for the instructions, the video was helpful.
Looks awesome, Shaun! Let us know how it works for you!
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Hi Bentley,
This is an older article, but I found it useful. My husband helped me with our current worm bin. My first attempt was fine…a rubbermaid bin and I ended up with a bagillion worms and then suddenly *poof* , they were all gone. Died. 🙁 So I think they were crowded, wet, and not enough O2. So, I plan to add the vents. My question: will the worms tend to crawl out of the vents?
Secondly, on this current bin…to reduce moisture, my husband drilled several small holes (size of a pencil) all over the bottom of the bin. Then, he layered a piece of screen. We filled with worms, etc. and then placed this bin in ANOTHER bin that serves as collection of the liquids. Plus, I add shredded newspaper, bits of paper towels and bits of cardboard.
thanks for sharing, cindy
Hello,
I found those vents on Amazon.com, and I bought a hole saw set at Harbor Freight, they cut a perfect size hole for the vents and they fit very tight.