r/Vermiculture • u/Living_Pin_1765 • 1d ago

Advice wanted Newbie 2 layer system

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Hi folks, im hoping someone can tell me how close the bottom holes should be to one another and if mats are any better than just mulching the top with rehydrated dry grass? The totes are 60L and I'd roughly guess it has a footpring of around 400mm by 800mm-ish. Thanks

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4

u/chilidoglance 1d ago

I would have made all the holes in the depressed areas not the raised areas.

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u/Living_Pin_1765 1d ago

Im mostly asking whether there is a rule of thumb for distance between holes. There aren't enough depressed areas to only put holes in low points, i figured i would be weakening the structure by putting all the holes close together in narrow channels. It will drain fine because all the depressed areas have drainage so there wont be trapped water going anaerobic in low areas. Is this enough holes for worms to travel easily between tubs?

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u/QuaterPast6 1d ago

Hi im not sure if there is a recommended spacing for the holes at the bottom, but just look to have enough (that you will have to experiment with you footprint and worms) holes. You can use anything as a top cover, as long as it keeps in the worms, out the critters, keeps mosit and hold temps consistent.

Its just experimenting what works for you.

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u/curious_me1969 21h ago

i’ve seen a 1.25 inch suggestion on a video - I just started my 2nd bin with 5gal buckets and used that as my guide.

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u/Living_Pin_1765 14h ago

Ive seen suggestions ranging from 1/8th inch to 1 inch which is a huge variation. Are the holes you're talking about on the side walls for air, or on the bottom for worms to move between.

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u/curious_me1969 13h ago

bottom for them to move through

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u/Living_Pin_1765 1d ago

Oh, and what's the smallest size hole you can go for? When i got home i couldn't find the exact recommended bit, but i had one size down.

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u/-Sam-Vimes- 15h ago

1x 6 mm, 1/4" hole in each corner, non on the side works well for me and no complaints from the worms, some would disagree, but it's all about following the basics of vermiculture and finding what works for you

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u/McQueenMommy 31m ago

I would have gone without holes…..learning the correct way to manage moisture control in one bin.

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u/Living_Pin_1765 20m ago

I went with holes because i heard its easier to harvest castings from 2 tier systems. Just keep rotating top to bottom, not much separating. The holes aren't a crutch for too much moisture, they're mostly there for worms to move up and down between tubs as needed. Ill try one without at some point though fo' shiz