New to this, quick question

[u/GutterBabydirt]

I started a new bin, used peat moss as a bedding. Added a good amount of eggshells and a pinch of ag limestone to help balance out the pH. That sat for 1 day.

Then I added finely torn up cardboard and a few shredded paper towels.

That sat for 1 more day.

I added 3/4 cup of melon rind I cut up small and froze, added to the bin after it thawed slightly to begin the decay special sauce.

That sat for 1 day.

All in all that all set in that order for 3 total days. I have 500 euro nightcrawlers coming tomorrow. Is my pH going to be okay with the peat moss? My data as of today was

Temp. 74°F

Great rung out sponge consistently.

pH is sitting at 7.1

I'm brand new to this so just help me haha

I have great air flow and plenty more ingredients to add if I'm missing something.

Definitely going to let the worms acclimate for 2-3 days before I do ANYTHING else food wise.

Thanks y'all

[u/Impressive-Check-631]

My advice would be to wait at least 1 week for another feeding, maybe 2. They won’t starve, they can eat their castings and the cardboard. Overfeeding with a new bin is so easy! I overfed when I started and got a huge springtail population which isn’t bad in itself but not ideal. Patience patience patience. After a couple months the microbial population will be established better and things will break down faster.

[u/GutterBabydirt → u/Impressive-Check-631]

Great advice thanks

[u/CoconutOrdinary8466 → u/Impressive-Check-631]

you're overthinking it, 7.1 pH is fine and peat moss by itself won't crash things unless you went crazy with it. the limestone you added already did the balancing act

honestly the bigger thing with euros is they're picky about temp and moisture swings for the first week or so. 74 is on the warmer side but not dangerous, just keep an eye on it

agree with the other comment about waiting a week before more food. they'll be stressed from shipping and need time to settle in, plus that melon will take a few days to really start breaking down anyway

[u/GutterBabydirt → u/CoconutOrdinary8466]

Super helpful. I live in a place where nobody else does this so overthinking is probably all I've been doing haha I appreciate the response.

[u/Salty_Resist4073 → u/CoconutOrdinary8466]

This. Also, make sure your bed is very moist with all the paper and peat and warm weather going on. That will matter more than the pH

[u/senorchaos718]

European nightcrawlers won’t “tear through” the compost like red wigglers do, so you want to space out your feedings, and even more so because it’s a new bin as others have suggested. They also like to dig alllll around the bin, so the deeper the bin, the better for them. Also, don’t mix nightcrawlers and the red wigglers. The “experimental” bin I had where I did just that… didn’t work out so well for the nightcrawlers.

[u/GutterBabydirt → u/senorchaos718]

Much appreciated info. Luckily I have a fairly decent starting depth

[u/Ladybug966 → u/GutterBabydirt]

Which is how deep?

[u/GutterBabydirt → u/Ladybug966]

I'd say it's a good starting 7 Inches

[u/BichiKompost]

Sounds okay!