worms in aquaponics?

[badflash]

You got a good cycle on the system? I don't totaly trust grow beds for nitrification. You might want to add a bio filter to the tank.

I've always had better luck with koi than goldies.

[JeffW]

Well I have 3 left and a filter is now in it for intake to tank. I need a test kit too
don't you think? I was told I need one for Nitrates and ammonia not just pH.

poor little fellas are not happy with me as aquafarmer

[badflash]

The only kit you need is for ammonia. Plants take care of the nitrates. Nitrites are another bad chemical, but if you have a cycle you need not worry about them. If you have ammonia, there is not an adequate cycle.

[badflash]

Back to worms.

One thing I just discovered is to get high production of worms, soak down the beds once a week. Get it sopping. Collect the worm tea and put it to good use. The worm eggs won't hatch unless they get drenched. If the beds are too dry the worms will try to escape as well.

Once you get a really good bed of worms, aggressively harvest them. If they get too dense they stop laying eggs and just eat. Play this by ear.

Keep some cheap food in reserve in case you run out of normal feed. I've found that cheap floating fish pellets (25 cents a pound) work well in a pinch. Coffee grounds mixed with brewers gain 50/50 is an excellent feed for them. My substrate is 50% shredded newspaper, 25% compost, and 25% coco coir (shredded coconut shell). The compost has some ground limestone it in.

[mommyhen42]

I have that problem if I buy them from Petco... They already look starved and many are dead before they even get out of the bag at home....
You really have to look at the tanks, to see if they look fat and healthy, if they look thin or emaciaiate something is wrong and you shouldnt buy them

I have a friend with a petstore about an hour and a half from here, I try to buy from him as he buys from a better supplier and I rarely loose any when I get them from him...

Hmm
Petco 2 min away and already dead in the bag by the time I get them home
My friends store... hour and a half away, and I usually dont get home for at least 3 or 4 hours after I bought them.. and they are all still alive....
Go Figure

[badflash]

Just mail order them and save gas. They go for about $20 a pound + shipping. Look for places close. Loads of on-line sellers. I bought from 2 sources and both sent great worms.

[wolfracer]

Just mail order them and save gas. They go for about $20 a pound + shipping. Look for places close. Loads of on-line sellers. I bought from 2 sources and both sent great worms.

Got any links?

[badflash]

I got mine from here:
http://www.unclejimswormfarm.com/

But I'll bet there are people closer to you. I got mine from people who were close to me so they wouldn't be so long in the mail.

[rfeiller]

the answer is oxygen in the water. they don't like anerobic conditions or acidic ones, which is usually the case with wet worm beds.

the worms have no problem in an aquarium where they would get into the sponge filters, plenty of food and oxygen.