I tried posting yesterday, but see no evidence of it.

I recently purchased some worms, but the person I was dealing with is definitely a salesman so I'm here to ask folks who only have pride on the line. Will the zinc on the hardware cloth I'm using on my bins cause grief for my worms? Will it do much to my soil?

Also, I didn't feel like paying $! for "worm conditioner" when dirt will do. I would like to know if charcoal fines and dust (remnants from another hobby) will harm the worms. Will it suffice as grit? Will this post this time?