Hello aquaponics hobbyists
Last weekend i was lucky enough to see a BSF composer in action and this weekend i started to build one (and finished the first version).
I hope to produce some food supplements for my barramundi and chickens and get a better use out of my kitchen scraps as well as a better recycling method for fish and chicken carcasses and inerts. I know the bsf larvae can break down bones but i hope the pick everything clean at least and the not usable part goes than in the bin because i can't bury them in the yard because of my dogs.
I started construction with a 250l plastic tub which i bought from the big b (5 for $20 a piece, lucky pricing mistake) a year or so ago and its intent use was for the aquaponics system.
First i heated one corner of the tub with a heat gun to create a sump and drainage point for the bsf tea. The used fitting is a leftover from a water pump which i used in the fish pond, the sump is covered with some stainless steel filter cut out of a gutter cover (also big b, the had a clearance on gutter covers for $3). On the outside is some 19mm clear hose and a tap, so you can see whether it is worth to harvest the tea.
Next i fitted two harvesting ramps for the adult larvae out of 25mm electrical conduit. The elbows are not glued so i can adjust the entry height depending on the compost level. On the exit side is a bucket to collect the larvae.
The whole tub is covered with core flute and has an entry point for bsf in the center of the lid which also acts as handle to open the composter. Around the entry on the inside are three pieces of rolled cardboard to provide a space for egg deposit.
The bottom layer in the composter is coir mulch to retain some moisture in the system during the start. I baited the system with some kitchen scraps and a bowl of mashed dry dog food.
Cheers
Oliver
| Attachments: |
|
tmp_4970-14292528876520-1135913530.jpg [ 120.2 KiB | Viewed 4887 times ] |
|
tmp_4970-14292529447341-1684713983.jpg [ 74.75 KiB | Viewed 4887 times ] |
|
tmp_4970-142925296302721683781131.jpg [ 148.3 KiB | Viewed 4887 times ] |
.
. Your pod/bin/box (whatever) looks like it hits all the marks and is so much simpler and neater than a lot I saw. Seriously considering having a go down here, but I might do a small trial first to see if there are any around here 
. If I go ahead, I will have an even bigger dilemma of who gets what scraps - currently the Labrador has to vet everything I take out to the chickens, fish, yabbies and worms!! 
I must remember to tell my O/H that they are highly nutritious grubs, not maggots 
