Hi Everyone,

Very interesting discussion. Congratulations on the users at David's site being so enthusiastic.

I would like to fine-tune Christian's suggestions of using interchangeable containers to overcome the space limitations of this 2-chambered UDDT:

// I suggest using woven polypropylene sacks (as commonly used to transport grains, flour, sugar, fertilizer, etc.) This allows for water to evaporate out and for oxygen to filter in. These sacks are also extremely available and inexpensive. Earthworms may also find their way in.

// These sacks can be placed in baskets or plasic bins (with holes for ventilation cut into them). I recommend containers of about 40 liter capacity, as the sacks fit snugly into them, with the edge flapped over the rim. This holds the sack open and allows it to be accurately placed in the fecal "line of fire".

// Another option is to have a chute (for example, made from an up-side-down bucket with its bottom cut out) that the sack can be tied around.

// After the temperature is stably within the acceptable range from earthworms, these sacks can then be emptied into a chamber for vermicomposting.

The use of interchangeable containers also allows for much more control of smell and flies. Yes, this involves more frequent Operation&Maintenance, but it is not at all disgusting or terrible to change the sacks. People have to realize that things do not disappear by magic, so we have to deal with them (as opposed to out-of-sight-out-of-mind dumping of sewage into rivers). More info in my paper on simple UDDTs in Issue 6 of Sustainable Sanitation Practice on Toilets (www.ecosan.at/ssp).

Best wishes,
Chris Canaday in the Amazon

Hi,
remains only to add:
Compost animals, such as Red Worms (Eisenia foetida), need for their digestion and the production of clay-humus compounds periodic additions of minerals such as rock and basalt powder. Further the pH is very important and can be raised by addition of natural lime, also called calcium carbonate or carbonate of acidic (slaked) lime, or marine algae, if the pH should develop below the neutral range of 7. To lower the pH, marc and wood ash from untreated wood are suitable. Quicklime (calcium oxide) is harmful for compost animals.

Best regards
Wolfgang

Hi Chris,

do not forget that eisenia foetida worms are not "digging" worms. So I think that you have to prefer large baskets with a low height than the opposite.

Wolfgang,
I did the experience in my composting toilet not to put additionnal componants like minerals and see how the worms react. After 3 years of experience, there is still few worms but not as the first year. So vermicomposting can be done without adding worms nuttriments but not for many years.

Regards

Emmanuel Morin
Ecodomeo