DIY Worm Farm!

How have I not made a DIY tag for this blog yet? This week's project was a worm farm! Rufus, the larger oscar fish is getting bigger and he's been a bit picky about his pellets. Plus those fish food pellets are expensive! So my idea is to breed Red Wigglers to keep his belly full. I still have to go find worms. So far I'm thinking that Ebay is the cheapest place to acquire these.



First I found an old plastic aquarium that we had laying in the attic. It had a crack in it so was going to be used to hold any water in the near future. I drilled holes in the bottom for drainage and all sides for air holes. Aparently the more air and drainage holes you have the more less likely this thing will smell icky. 


Next I rummaged up a bin to place the work farm into. We don't want it draining onto the floor! I used some old aquarium stones to line the bottom with. Hopefully the moisture will drain right through the holes and filter down through the stones, then evaporate. 

Doesn't look half bad.

Next you are supposed to shred up and soak newspaper for the worm bedding. I chopped and wet down the shreds.

I squeezed all the water out of the newspaper and fluffed it into the worm bin. I was only supposed to fill 3-4 inches with it, but I got a little carried away with my cutting. Maybe the worms will like the extra cushy bedding?

Now the worm bin is supposed to be dark and not see through. Lucky we forgot to put the trash out last week, so I was able to dumpster dive in our recycling container. Hopefully this will make it dark enough for the little guys.

They are supposed to have a little dirt for their digestion, so I tossed a couple handfuls on top.

Then I crushed up some stale veggie chips and will use that as some food. I also tossed some used tea bags in there later in the evening, but didn't take another picture.
I put the farm in the downstairs bathroom. it's the coolest part of the house and stays the darkest. Sorry to all my houseguest. Yes you now have to share the bathroom with worms! LOL