Time to add some worms

Red composting Worms are a great addition for any media based aquaponics system. Worms just dont survive in an aquaponics grow bed, they thrive. They help break down organic matter such as fish poop, dead roots and plant matter that accumulates in your grow bed. The worms will eat the organic matter and convert it into inorganic matter that will be available for your plant roots to absorb. Worms can eat up to half their body wight a day!
This worm poop is referred to as Vermicast. Vermicast is an amazing free fertilizer that your plants will love and it wont bother your fish one bit. You can buy red composting worms at most any hardware store, raise your own in a compost bin or just go dig in your backyard. Worms are also very prolific, as long as they have enough organic matter to chow down on, they will be happy and keep reproducing. Heres some pics from the worms I put in my grow bed recently.

 About 3 dozen worms!

 Just set them by the water inlet

 30 seconds later

 60 seconds after adding them

In a future post I will put instructions on building your own vermicompost bin out of a plastic storage tote.

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