Homemade BioPod - BSF (Black Soldier Fly Larvae)

[Brian Gallimore]

Anyone try to make their own biopod?  I can't justify spending $180 to buy one to save on fish food, that doesn't make sense to me.  Seems like I could make one out of a 5 gallon bucket, turned on its side to give the 35 degree angle.  The idea is great, but the ROI on the product is not so good.  (like almost all the other 'green' products on the market!)

Here is a good video of the design details of the old biopod model:
http://blog.aquaponicssystems.com/2009/07/biopod-black-soldier-fly-larvae.html (watch the video)

the manufacture's site:
http://thebiopod.com/

I'm going to get my aquaponics systems setup next, then maybe I'll experiment with making a biopod.  My 'compost bin' last year was a BSF haven.  It is a 30 gallon trashcan with 1" holes drilled all over the place.  I never turned the compost like I was supposed to, and it was full of BSF larvae this fall.  I want something smaller and self-harvesting though.... hope to mount it right over the fish tank and let gravity to the job of feeding my fish automatically.

If anyone has any ideas, sketches, or PICTURES, please post them up!

[Johnny-Max]

I have pics from one I made from stuff around the house posted here some place I will see if I can find it and post the link

[Johnny-Max]

Found it 

http://sshomestead.com/forum/index.php?topic=4.0

[texasmufflerman]

My 'compost bin' last year was a BSF haven.

KB5WON, do you remember my first "compost bin?"  5-gallon bucket with a bunch of old potatoes?  AFter I neglected for a few months, I had 2.5 gallons of maggots.  It was so disgusting, I tossed it in the trash and let the city haul it away.  Oh, the days of my past stupidity.

[Johnny-Max]

Here is the simplest way to build one.

1) take a rubber made tube with a lid.
2) cut a 2" dia hole in the bottom at one of the corners.
3) prop up one end of the tub (the end with the hole)
4) Prop it up at a 35 degree angle (angle is important)
5) Put a can or bucket under the hole
6) Put the lid on, but prop up one end 3/4"

Here is how it works. You put your waste in the bottom.
The Black Soldier Flies will fly in through the 3/4" gap and lay eggs in the food waste.
When the larve mature, they crawl away looking for a dry place to pupate.
They can crawl up to a hudred feet, they will climb up and all around annd eventually find the hole and fall in the can.
That is all there is to it and I just saved you same major bucks.

[Brian Gallimore]

Perfect, thanks for finding it.  I was searching for biopod and came up with nuthin'

[Brian Gallimore]

[KB5WON, do you remember my first "compost bin?"  5-gallon bucket with a bunch of old potatoes?  AFter I neglected for a few months, I had 2.5 gallons of maggots.  It was so disgusting, I tossed it in the trash and let the city haul it away.  Oh, the days of my past stupidity.

I remember you telling me about it and how gross it was.  Think of all that protein you let go to waste!  ahahaha

[Johnny-Max]

The real key is having the bottom at 35 degrees, it is too steep for fly larva, but as long as it is under 45 degrees the BSF larva will climb out and fall in the bucket. I learned that from reading the patent for the Bio Pod

[Brian Gallimore]

A co-worker forwarded this link to me.  A whole blog dedictated to BSF and DIY BSF bins.

http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/

which lead me to this one too

http://raisesoldierflies.com/

[Brian Gallimore]

fancy and big design:
http://gardenpool.org/?p=704

not sure how the BSF larvae are funneled into the gutter yet

[Cheeta68]

I found one on youtube that was made from a 5 gallon bucket and would be great to hang over a fish pond or tank. If you remove the collection container it would be a self feeder for the fish.

[Cheeta68]

I guess it would help to have a link.

DIY black soldier fly bucket composter - part 2

[Ggirl]

Thanks for the link.  They just got in my compost bin last year.  They killed every worm in there too!  I need to buid one... and cover my bin to keep them out!

[Johnny-Max]

Yep, they ate all the worms I bought too