Do I want to use a predigester?

[dandelionwine]

Howdy all.

I got my worms (2lbs). I got my bedding (shredded newspaper). I got my worm bin (3x3x1). Now all I need is to know what I'm doing!

On another thread, someone mentions that a predigester cuts the volume roughly in half and takes care of any heat generated.

Questions.

Since I only have 2lbs of worms and a family of four, do I want to do this until my bin hits worm capacity?

Do I want to limit myself to X lbs per week? If so for how long?

Using a pre-digester, the other thread said about keeping the lid closed and draining off the fluid. Isn't there gas built up (methane?) with a closed system? Do I pour the fluid down the drain? In my garden? In my neighbor's yard?

Currently I don't have a lid. The black pastic sheet is ok. Where do I find this? Will a black plastic garbage bag be ok?

THANKS!

[tt]

hi
I would use a pre-digestor. It shrinks your food waste. Therefore you are feeding more. plus it gets the bacteria going that the worms like. A garbage bag is fine or an old piece of rug soaked in water shaken out will also work

[Jay Blair]

dandelionwine,

I use a two liter bottle of water and two lengths of aquarium line to make a pressure releasing airlock to prevent digester blow outs. If you don't like the idea of building a soda bottle thumper lock, a wine makers plastic airlock glues to the bucket lid with a vent line to vent the methane/cO2 gases to the outside is sufficient.

Airlocks can be found at www.eckraus.com or a local hobbyist wine making supply store.

[dandelionwine]

I have some airlocks from making wine - so that's not a problem.

So if I took a 5 gallon bucket, I'd just throw food in it every so often? Once a week? When I open the lid, I take it it'd stink pretty bad. But then I just pour off the liquid (into garden? ditch? toilet?) and put what's left into the worm bin? How often do I put it into the worm bin?

Also Jay, you mention putting the lees into the worm bin. Once you rack your primary, do you just pour off any extra liquid on the bottom and just do the particles?