@O:gweh
This is an experiment for me, I am no expert!
I am not doing the composting/vermicomposting, due to the design of my tower. I would need to install a cleanout of some kind at the bottom of the center tube, so when the compost is composted, you can get it out. Since I have the “tank” at the bottom, I didn’t want to mess with trying to waterproofing cleanout going through my tank.
There are a few YouTube videos about folks who have built these and went the compost/vermicompost route. I just wanted to try to see about both conserving water and whatever nutrients get leached out from watering.
No real reason the tank is the height it is, other than it “looked right” and that’s where the reinforcing band was molded into the drum, making it an easy line to follow when I cut! I am using soil from out garden mixed with a bag of Miracle Grow potting mix and a bag of Miracle Grow garden soil. My guess is there’s 8 cubic feet of soil in the barrel.
It is a little top heavy , but it seems to be OK as long as I am careful. I have only wheeled it 30’ or so, on a blacktop driveway, so maybe if I had to wheel it farther it would be more of a PITA.
One thing I will change/do differently on the next one: I will put bigger wheels on the platform, both for easier rolling and because it’s hard to get any kind of container under the spigot.