The big one had only few copepods and two snails. But one snail died and I had to rethink. Seems like a layer of dead organic matter and snail shit was building up on the bottom.
The small one had lots of different animals and plants and a little twig ect.
I also added some potting soil. I think the key to success is a constant source of organic matter to be decomposted along sediment species digging the wasted into the bottom layer and rooted plants building new structures.
by Woodenspoonie
1 Comment
Good start!
The way this works with decaying matter, incl snail poop and dead critters, that they break down and if the substrate is right, will turn into fertilizer for the plant roots and establish an anaerobic layer on the very bottom. That’s where the necessary bacteria will thrive that will help balance everything along with the other key elements.
If there is however too much decay, the wrong substrate (like just gravel for example) or the substrate itself i s made of decaying matter, then you will probably overload the entire jar.
Check out Father Fish on YouTube. Even tho he does mostly fish tanks, his method and the way he explains it in just about every video, is what ecospheres are made of.
Here’s a good video to start with: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A2HAj2t7OQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A2HAj2t7OQ)
One question: what kind of light is the jar getting?