Bioponics

[badflash]

All I do is soak down the beds once a week just before I feed them. What comes out the bottom is worm tea and is ready to go. I don't know how much to use. We probably need to measure the nitrate and phosphate levels in the system and adjust accordingly. Once the systems are up and running I'm sure we'll develop a feel for it without testing.

[JeffW]

I keep checking around and I got another reply yesterday. Some say this is OK and
some say not good idea....that right there is enough reason to keep plucking away
at this concept. I was think it would be interesting to take a barrel or PVC grow bed
container that is setup just like an aquaponic system but instead you have a slow
but constant drip coming from the worms tea tray. This can be mixed into water
before it is drained into the beds using a wick or maybe a timer, just tossing ideas
in my head.

The tea would ofcoarse be drained out as it leaves the beds and not reused. This
is only an idea IF a recycling tea does not work well for some reason. Or just another
concept of how someone can grow food.

Anyway here is latest email from Rutgers EcoComplex

Hi Jeff,
I don't see any issue with you using a terracycle product for your hydroponic system..
Just keep 2 things in mind, 1. It's fine as long as you don't need to know the exact
amount of nutrients you are adding. 2. Make sure the terracycle product has both
macro and micro nutrients..A good way to make sure is to cross reference the list
of nutrients on the "nutrient solution" bottle with that of the terracycle bottle.

Cheers,
Manisha

Manisha V. Patel
Laboratory Manager
NJAES Water Testing Laboratory
Rutgers EcoComplex
1200 Florence-Columbus Rd.
Bordentown, NJ

[badflash]

I plan to re-use the water. Worms put it in, plants take it out.

[JeffW]

I will reuse mine too this was just another idea in case it becomes a problem.

Today we dug up a load of compost red worms out on farm from sheep pen.
Now I will have 2 bins with earth worms in one and red worms in another.

not sure if I should mix them or not into one bin.

[badflash]

Keep them separate. The species compete. Only one will win.

[JeffW]

I went back and read this entire thread this morning. My interest in worms being fed garbage
and plants feeding off of the worms is such a powerful concept. After reading and refreshing
what I knew already I spent 2 days last week in garden probing around just for self interest.

The red worms (ones with the stripe bands) found ONLY in compost bin next to garden.
I toss all garden scraps there end of season. As for earth worms\night crawlers only found
in garden soil which is right next to compost bin..not a discovery I know that but what is interesting is the compost is next to garden and if I moved 1 foot out away from compost
bin and tried to find a red worm it was not going to happen. Each time I dug I would find a regular earth worm then go back 1 foot in the bin and find red worm.

Like having 2 types of cattle in a field but each group has particular interest of what it
it see's as a food source.

Red worms in compost (old decaying plants\garbage)
Earth worms in soil (organic matter and dirt)

[badflash]

Night crawlers are tough to breed in captivity. They only do well when it is cool. Red worms do fine when it is warm, which is why most people grow these. There is another variety called the european night crawler that seems to do as well as red worms.

[JeffW]

Red worms are all I am going to use you are right. The reds are so much more active
and aggresive I can see why they can eat that food so fast now.

3 pounds of worms eat 1 pound of scraps per week you say?
That is all I needed to hear

Now I am going to decide on the bin and sump area and how I want that to work.
I am thinking why not let the draining worm bin go simply drip into the sump tank below
and have the pump in the sump on a timer.....good idea?

[badflash]

Show us a sketch.

[JeffW]

[attachment=0:2eoyyf0r]grow bed.JPG[/attachment:2eoyyf0r]