Earthworm in aquaponics

We found this earthworm in our aquaponics system. We didn't put in any worms ourself. This is the first earthworm that we found after the system was cycled.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• aquaponic
• aquaponics
• earthworm
• hydroton
• clay
• balls

[Abnormalized]

You said you didn't add the worm... how did it get in? Is your setup near the ground?

[xzorby]

Actually no - the growbed is about a meter off the ground. I've seen a worm in the fish tank (which is dug into the ground) though, when we were building the system.

[muffdriver69]

but what do they feed on in the grow beds?

[xzorby]

The worms feed on all sorts of biomatter. For instance fish poo that is pumped up from the fish tank, leaves that fall onto the growbed and dead roots. They are an important step in converting all the unwanted solids into dissolved nutrients and other stuff the plants can use. They keep the growbed from clogging up!

[Leibensborn]

won't they drown when the bed gets flooded?

[xzorby]

No, in fact, they can live in water if it's well-oxygenated. Before I had fish I found a live earthworm in my tank too, living off the leaves in the water.

The flood and drain process provides plenty of oxygen for the worms (as well as the plant roots). Earthworms have been found to thrive in many different aquaponics systems, even though most of the time the owner has no idea how they got there!

[kyleain]

Earthworms have the ability to transport using a system known as the Tesla Interspacial Aether Transportation Method, also known as A.S.S. or Fishheads. For more information go into your bathroom and stare at the floor.

[VanSneiwder]

from what i heard earthworms are great in aquaponic system because they eat all the debris

[FreedomRebel]

I will name him JIM !

[ParadiseSurplus]

I had worms in my aquaponics bed and realized that they kept the tomato roots very clean by eating the organic matter around them. I can't wait to put some more in.

[NOSMOJEFF]

your video inspired me to setup a bin on top with pea gravel then use red wigglers in that, it drains into another bin below with "fish" and the timer pumps the fish water up to the top now and then. Worms eat the fish waste, plants are growing in the pea gravel so water is oxygenated and cleaned up a bit by worms before returning to fish below.

So far peas and wheat grass are taking off like rockets so it is working. Thanks for the video it was a key element for me :)

[elvieken]

Being that worm castings are some of the best fertilizer also I would imagine that as a benefit. Do they repoduce as well as in other environments? If your using flood and drain system, how does that affect them? This is very interesting.

[mozaks80]

Ive always thought a little worm farm would be a great companion to an aquaponics setup, plant wants goes in, worms come out :P kinda makes a 2 way eco system into a 3 way

[LorynToo]

I am sure Earthworms will eventually make the trip to Mars whether they are on the roster or not. Very useful critters.