I started out with a shallow under bed storage bins that was only 7" deep. That worked great for me for almost 2 years. So good that I doubled to 2 bins. Because of the labor of separating/ harvesting, I recently went to a flow through 55 gal barrel.

If you have a deeper bin you don't have to fill it all the way up. You could always add more layers to it over time.

I think what is important is that you decide on a bin and go for it. You'll develop different ideas as you go and may decide to try something new later on.

Hi Karen,
I think most people use the Rubbermaid style of bin, just because they're so easily available, and hold a large quanitity of worms.
(I have 4 in my apartment). Depending on how much room you've got could determine what type of bin.
If you're keeping it in the basement, it's not an issue. If you have no room for a largish bin, or don't want it out in the open, where guests could see it, a shallow bin you could slide under the bed would certainly work.

Sherry

Thanks. My question may not be totally clear. The shallow boxes are not dark. If I keep that in the basement, will I need to cover it? I'd like to do whatever is going to be the easiest, so it sounds like I should you the slightly deeper rubbermaid bins.

Yes, the worms like it dark. Your best bet for starting out is definitely an opaque bin of a size which is cheap and readily available.
These are usually about 16" high and hold about 18 gallons.
You are probably all set with the 16" bin you already have, although that is NOT going to be the ten-gallon rubbermaid. I just went and measured one of those in my basement and it is only 8 1/2 inches high.
You probably won't be able to take care of all your family's food waste at first--not with one rubbermaid bin. But don't worry; the worms will multiply and your ability to keep them happy will develop, especially if you keep hanging out at this forum!
Good luck; I know you will love having worms eat your garbage!
mbetts

I started w/ one lb of reds, I have an 18 gal sterilite bin. $4.50 at walmart. It's got holes and a screen in the bottom for drainage and sits inside another bin. I've got two hot compost piles to take care of my families food waste. The worms just can't keep up w/ it and it stinks if I give them too much. I'm going to add a lb of ENC's soon and just want the castings for next years garden. Eventually they'll be able to handle my families food waste, just not yet.

My bins were clear and they were alright but I kept them out of direct sunlight; they were just in the corner of my apartment somewhere. If they were in the sun I would have put a cover over them to keep them shaded.

I also started with a 18 gallon starilite bin. The same setup that rj_hythloday has.
My idea was to make a "tower" with them. I found one bin got VERY heavy. While I'm not a codger quit yet i found that moving one was work and would never have been able to move two stacked bins without dismantling it.

So i bought a bunch of 5 gallon bins and stack those. Wanted 10 gal bins but for some reason they were not opaque. Where they sit opaque is a must.

I found with the very small 5 gallon bins compost seems to finish faster. There is a smaller amount each time thou. The 18 gallon bin now holds my finished compost.

I am also thinking that to start a new stack of bins all i have to do is divide the tower into two stacks and put new bins on top.

On my wish list, for when the garage is finished being insulated is a flow through. Sometime next spring.

Hi karenfz; I think your best bet is the 10 Gal Rubbermaid at a Loew's they are around $5.00 and have plenty depth, width and length. They are similar to a 18 Gal except the depth. They can also be made into a stackable system. Google OSCAR jr and sites will come up th show you how to make a very good inexpensive stacking system $20.00 vs $99.00 for a COW or Worm Ranch. Heres a link

Here is a link that might be useful: oscr jr

I use nested 5-gallon buckets. The worm's home bucket has small holes drilled in it for drainage to the bucket below. This solution cost me $0 and works fabulously. It is compact and easy to manage. I have two of these setups now. You can expect about half a quart of castings after 6 months from throwing in banana peels & apple cores 4 times a week along with the occasional potato peels and anything else you might add. It is only me and my wife and we don't generate a great deal of organic waste, so my worms primarily thrive on the peels and cores. I just harvested from the 6-month bin that started with maybe 3/4 cup of reg wigglers in June 2008.