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dragon eye
05-01-2010, 08:16 PM
I was reading some posts this week about using earth worms in the raising
of all varieties of goldfish. I wanted to stop right then and try to help those who are looking for a source of worms, but you know how it is with us retired guys, we don't have time to stop as most of the time we are on a dead run to work on a project. But now I'll share.
What follows is a method to get worms with NO work but is extremely dangerous and should only be employed by those who are comfortable with the method.
Some 55 years my father showed this process to me and I have used it ever since, without a hitch. When we were going fishing, we would just go out in the back yord and pick up the worms off the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now THE HOW IT'S DONE PART.

You will need a 1/4" or 5/16" steel rod, and a 6ft. extension cord, and a cheap volt/ohm meter ($7.00 item at WALMART and every home should have one) as you need to establish the HOT side of your plug receptacle from the ground side. Once you know HOT from GROUND, ANSI CODE dictates that it is the right side, mark your plug so that when you plug your extension cord in the same prong of the plug goes to the HOT every time. Next, cut off the female end of the extension cord and skin back about 3" of the insulation from that end. Turn you meter to OHMS SCALE x10, hold one meter lead to the plug you have marked as HOT, and the other end to one of the bare wire ends. The wire that reads as "0" to the HOT marked prong is the one that we will use. Separate the two wires by pulling them apart, and then pull the OTHER wire away from the HOT and tape with electrical tape. The HOT wire is now to be wrapped around one end of the steel rod and taped with the same tape. FINISHED

Now for HOW TO USE THIS GIZZMO: I go out in the grass a few feet from the house to make it easy, I push the rod into the ground, and connect the plug end to a 20' ft. extension. I'am fortunate to have a receptacle right inside my basement door, and into this I plug the extension cord. Within 2min.
the worms will be coming to the surface. This works really good on bare ground. Pull the extension cord out of the resceptacle, (I HOLD IT IN MY HAND) go out and pick up your worms. REPEAT until you have all you need for the moment. I only bring up what I can use because the electricity dazes the worms
This GIZZMO can made in about 15min. but, I state again that extreme caution should be used when working with this tool. I can pick up 40 or so worms 10min. time and I have never had a problem. MY large RANCHUS and RYUNKINS love the whole worms.


DON

Corrie
05-01-2010, 08:46 PM
I use a 12g over/under with bird shot...........

I'M KIDDING:badidea:

Don, I've actually heard of doing that. No one has ever taken the time to explain it well to me before......

.......Thank you!

small_ranchu
05-02-2010, 01:22 AM
how about culturing then? Any easy way? Thanks.

marlin08
05-02-2010, 03:03 PM
Check out this thread, one suggestion is to google "redworm culture"...
or I guess you could google "earthworm culture" also...
http://www.goldfishkeepers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1519&highlight=worm

TheDragonslayer
05-02-2010, 11:40 PM
The best way to culture earthworms is by having a compost heap. I can harvest 2 to 4 cups of earthworms at least twice a week from my heap and I just give them to my chickens as a treat and vice versa I add chicken manure to my heap for the worms.

RogerP
08-18-2010, 01:30 PM
Following a good bout of rain on a warm evening head out to any large grassed part of your garden with a torch, glove and bucket. Alternatively leave a hose with sprinkler attachment on in your garden for half an hour if its been dry. For best results head to a local playing field and avoid being arrested for mysterious night time behaviour.

VeiltailGuy
08-20-2010, 01:34 PM
culturing redworms is easy! once u get them breeding, u will be hard pressed to make a dent in the population

Fishman43
08-20-2010, 01:39 PM
I agree with VTguy, I have one of those "Can-O-Worms" contraptions now, but used to just culture the red worms in two rubbermade tubs (one on top for the worms with holes to drain the juice into the bottom tub). I feed them the kitchen vegi scraps we don't eat and they grow and reproduce like crazy. Endless supply of fresh redworms, easy as can be!

jesster2
08-20-2010, 09:28 PM
What's the difference between red worms and earthworms? How often do you give them to your fish? Are they treats or staples? Thanks!

Jesse

VeiltailGuy
08-20-2010, 11:04 PM
Earthworms are not nearly as prolific...redworms are just a different variety of worm, that breed alot more. You can buy them online or some bait shops carry them....u can give anytime u want or as often as u want...just keep a eye on water quality when feeding such rich food:exact:

Fishman43
08-23-2010, 12:33 PM
Red worms also tolerate higher temps. so are better for above ground culture in the home and tend to be smaller making them easier for the fish to eat and less chopping from me.

kendal
08-23-2010, 09:39 PM
i often feed live worms. there are at least 4 species i find in the yard. my fish prefer the red wigglers and eat them first and rarely spit them out, which they often do with night crawlers and whatever the yellowish ones are called.

don't know if it is the color, the movement or taste, but they zero in on the reds first it seems.

go red.

William Tricker Inc.
08-24-2010, 12:46 AM
I also have similar finding Kendal, I have tried different varieties of worms like you, redworms go first followed by common earthworms, then followed by night crawlers, which I often have to chop though for smaller fish

kendal
08-24-2010, 01:20 AM
go red! whahoo!!