VERMAPONICS! Is this the Holy Grail of aquaponics?

This is one of my favorite experiments. There is absolutely no reason why we cannot add worms to aquaponic ebb and flow beds. They improve soil-less medium by loosening up compacted areas and add all sorts of elements that improve root and plant growth. This is the missing link to growing heaving feeding plants. May even eliminate need for filtration.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• vermiculture
• vermicomposting
• hydroponics
• aquaponics
• worms
• composting
• vermaponics
• vermiponics
• tilapia
• rhizosphere
• fungi
• beneficial bacteria
• phosphate
• organic fertilizer
• tomatoes

[Asefs2]

clever to think outside the box. will worms thrive in the soil-less medium?

[esidrdave]

@Asefs2 they love it. tend to find root balls and spend their time there grooming to make it healthy, adding fungi and growth factors.

[hutch8614]

The 3/4 gravel mariolothario1 mentions has a simple and profound purpose.

It gives your worms enough space to work the root zone. Compaction of small diameter gravel reduces the mobility of the adult worms.

3/4 slate or limestone but make sure to keep the smaller sizes out because multigrade gravel tends to "lock up" and compact almost like concrete without the cohesion factor, it's like Tetris pieces fitting together.

Great Stuff otherwise!

[esidrdave]

@hutch8614 . ideally a neutral or slightly acid forming stone would be nice. 3/4" is good or mixed with smaller.

[pranachimana]

5:30 to 5:34 that butterfly's timing was perfect. As soon as he said "holy grail" there it was

[AOZXRAY]

In addition to worms, may I suggest you look up "mycorrhizae" on youtube. another important addition.

[cjgreene1981]

I've been raising red wigglers in my aquaponic set up for awhile now... they are helping a lot, more than I thought they would, plus they serve as food for my perch too!

[Aniter1000]

@initialsareAK47 Not exactly. The concern would be the particulate size which can compact and create anaerobic pockets. The particulate matter is fine enough that with gravel, it can make this rather cement like situation. For fish.. not comfortable as it effects ph and oxygen levels. Plants however like the nitrate. As long as build up is kept in check.. methane pockets are not too much of an issue.

[Aniter1000]

@brendahodgins Red wigglers is a generic term much like "red car." Most earthworms consume the same amount daily (in proportion to body size.) Epigeic earthworm are preferred for composting as they do not live in burrows (like nightcrawlers create burrows as an example.) Vegetarian derived manures does not mean burn free. That has to deal with nitrogen levels.

[Aniter1000]

@AquaticCastle They actually eat the microbes decomposing materials. 

[Aniter1000]

@blastermaster728 Yes, most will. The worms can survive in well oxygenated water for quite awhile as they breathe through their skin. 2 days is the longest I've seen one survive in an aquarium.. then the Oscar ate it.

[blastermaster728]

@Aniter1000 Do you think the fish would like to eat the adventurous worms? That could also make for some very plump fish as a worm overflow technique...

[AquaticCastle]

@marciogarcia79 worms can eat fish waste

[marciogarcia79]

What the worms going to eat?

[brendahodgins]

@initialsareAK47 earth worm castings always enrich the soil. Also the worms if kept separate can take vegetarian animals poop and turn it into burn free fertilizer very quickly. Red wigglers are the fastest and most commonly used for this purpose. I have seen many videos right here on utube but have known about this since 1963 the man who introduced my dad to this was using rabbits. He made his living using this cycle. My dad's system did not work so well, he kept freezing the worms.xoxo