That would be fine. Just keep the bins aerated by
turning them every few weeks.

Or you could add vents, like this one hubby made for me. Top vent is 3", sides are 1".

IIRC red wigglers are usually stated as 800-1000 to the pound. There probably between 2 and 3 sq ft of surface area on those totes so nearly 1lb per sq ft. That is pretty dense but might actually help them when it gets real cold, I dont think 60* would be considered real cold though so its a bit of a toss up on dividing them.

If it were me I would probably split them up on the chance they may do so breeding even if it is slowed and not be inclined not because of crowding.

Ventilation is very important, worms need air. You dont need it to be as fancy as Marys though that looks very nice, what are those pieces holding the screen in there? If thats an off the shelf part that isnt terribly expensive I am sure many would like to know where to get them.

The one tote already had holes drilled in the lid and top sides. I didn't change any thing.
Marymcp, that is a nice looking bin. What are the vents made from? Thanks.

That tote IS a great looking bin.

My impression of it brings to my mind several points that have been discussed many times during my wormin' experience.

Sometimes wormers try creating an escape-proof stalag so the herd won't flee the place. The sooner that mindset goes away, the better it is for the wormer and worms.

One of our best indicators of the worm-worthiness of the home we maintain for them is their ability to communicate with us dissatisfation of it. They do it by hauling worm. If they can't, they are pretty much muted. (Climbing the walls is not a good indicator of serious probs in the bin)

If those babies are happy, they ain't going back out in the real world cause it's tough out there on worms.....especially those who've been living the life. (Just like a wild animal raised in a zoo released back into the wild....ain't gonna make it.)

chuckiebtoo

This is one of the 1st bins I made long ago thinking you gotta have LOTS of holes. As you gain personal experience you'll tweak the way you do some things. Now, my plastic totes have 2-half inch holes on one end of the bottom, and 1 same-sized hole on each end just under the lid handle. (none on the top) That's it.

This many-holed tote is NOT the best way to do aeration for those of you not reading and just looking at the pics. NOT the way.

Here's a pic

chuckie, I think this is a typo Climbing the walls is not??? a good indicator of serious probs in the bin) because it seems contrary to the paragraph - and what worm farmers know.....if the worms are trying to escape, look at what's wrong in the bin. Happy worms stay home.

You can get those vents at HD, in the air conditioning vent section. The screen is just plain ole screen. The vent can be held in place by its design, if you are really good at making the hole and it matches precisely. Kinda hard. Butch said he used basic caulking to 'seal' it in. I was worried about worms and the residue from the caulk or silicon (also can be used), but I let the finished, vented bin set out in the sun for a day or two. I've had no problems whatsoever with the bins nor worm retention.

In fact, I'm trying to get my local hydroponic store into worms [I GAVE them a bunch of worms to start their farm] and hope they will sell my bins - for $40. I forget exactly what we priced out the materials at but thinking $25 - $30. The bin of course being the highest item in the list.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. It's important when you are trying to market a product. ;-)

marymcp......you probably need to re-read my post. Worms climb the walls often without probs in the bin.

After 15+years of doing this, I have had zero escape attempts ever even though I never block potential routes of escape. Why? They don't want to leave.

Also, how you interpreted my post as an attempt to help you market a product has taken the number 1 spot on the most inane thing I've ever read on this site. (Replacing my own post years ago about blowing up a bin out of frustration) :-) :-(

cb2

If you ARE marketing a product, and NOT doing it discreetly, it needs to be reported, and I don't know how to do it!

This post was edited by chuckiebtoo on Sat, Jan 3, 15 at 20:35

I was at one of the big box stores earlier today and they had the large totes on sale. I bought a couple and i think i'll make a new bin tomorrow and transfer the worms from the 18gal.
At least they will have plenty of room to play, or what ever worms do. Thanks for the advice and help.
I'll post later on how things turn out.

Like Nexev said, split them up,but my reasoning is in case one bin goes bad you won't lose the lot of them. Plus like Nexev it is better to have a bit under stocked to give them room to multiply.

It's my understanding that worms are smarter than people in that they will cease breeding when conditions become crowded. That's what I learned in a vermi-composting class I took from a local worm supplier. So, splitting them out would be good methinks.

I forgot to answer the question about what the vents are made of: aluminum.

chuckie, I'm not really *marketing* in any big way, just trying to get my local hydroponics store to interest others in vermi-love and this bin is more affordable than the Worm Condo's that come pre-made with several mesh-like layers. I am sorry to have alarmed you but I do not believe I need to declare myself to GW as I'm not advertising it here, just showing a pic of what anyone could do themselves if they have the tools and are handy, like my hubby. I *did* marry well in that regard - very well actually. ;-)

Can you make yourself a worm factory with the totes using one for a feeding tray and placing all of the worms in that tray and placing the other on top with holes in the bottom when the first is filled? I have a worm factory with a drainage tray, a feeding tray, and two expansion trays. Placed damp shreeded newspaper and coconut choir in as bedding, a couple of cups of soil, some sand, some vegetable scraps as food, added worms and placed another layer of damp bedding on top.

I've seen that done Charlie but it seems that getting the bottom of the tote full of holes so the worms can migrate to the next level could be tiresome. So I just manually move all the castings etc to one side of the tote leaving about 4" empty and place a section of cardboard as a separator, leaving some 'crawl space' at the bottom of the cardboard. Then I entice the worms to the 'empty' space by adding fresh bedding and some favorite snacks for them, like watermelon rinds, corn cob remnants, banana peels, etc. Give them some time to migrate then just manually move any slackers still in the castings I want to harvest. The stack-able tray towers definitely make this task less burdensome.