Substrate (bottom to top): dirt, red clay, lake sand
Fauna: Elodea, lake grass (locally sourced, unidentified), hornwart, undentified plant from local pond (thin green “stick” in picture)
Critters: 2 species of scuds (gammarus pulex + hylea azteca), daphnia, moina, copepods, ostracods, bladder snails, some unknown red variety of tubifex worms, and a single random ramshorn snail that popped up
Illumination: 32w grow light set on a 7am-9pm timer with a 1 hour “nap” at 12-1
In the past I had also added some algae tablets, spirulina powder, and even a small clump of hair algae to attempt injecting some microfauna into the system. None appear to be present any longer. I also artificially introduced a little nitrifying bacteria to try to ensure ammonia levels are balanced.
Ecosystem seems to be thriving. Any thoughts on longevity, or anything that I can further do to/for it?
by KnobbyBoy
1 Comment
I think it looks great! I can’t see how much airspace u got there but judging by the “hood”, it’s enough?
I suggest some indirect sunlight instead of artificial light. Just avoid the direct sunrays, that will cause algae.
If you want more critters, go to the lake or pond or whatever and grab a submerged leaf. That’s how I start my microfauna cultures for fish food. Get the leaves and add a little bit of yeast. Then this happens:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/bizzariums/comments/1ap3hvd/update_on_lake_jar_from_a_few_days_ago_which_i_am/](https://www.reddit.com/r/bizzariums/comments/1ap3hvd/update_on_lake_jar_from_a_few_days_ago_which_i_am/)