Ecospheres I always recommend to pick up a submerged rotten leaf or stick when starting an ecosphere. Just ONE! Since most critters snack on detritus, as in rotten stuff, the nastier the leaf the better. Many call it polluted. I’ll post a picture of the entire jar with the leaf in the comments. November 11, 2025
Ecospheres Another re-post of my 2nd fav video of the past 5 yrs. This is NOT sped up, it’s normal speed. Watch the immense strength of the “immortal” hydra taking on prey bigger than itself. November 11, 2025
Ecospheres This is a re-post of one of the best videos I manage to take over the past 5 yrs, the one that made me go WHOA and WTF for quite some time lol. Descriptions are in the video. The beginning is sped up, then normal speed. I’m using a handheld USB microscope cam. Link in description. November 11, 2025
Ecospheres Green hydra in micro-ecosystem, various views (crossposting to r/Ecosphere since it’s a closed ecosystem) November 10, 2025
Ecospheres Look at that bladder snail skimming the surface and gorging herself on biofilm. That flow is something! What an amazing little cleaner! Whoever calls them pests needs to do more research. It’s a myth. Pests do damage, these guys do only good. November 10, 2025
Ecospheres The bladder of the bladder snail is clearly visible here. It holds the air it breathes until it can get back up to the surface for more since they have lungs. November 10, 2025
Ecospheres Close up of 2 different species of non-biting midge larvae: Chironomid polypedilum (yellow) and Chironomus plumosus (red bloodworm) November 10, 2025
Ecospheres Close up of the diving beetle I just found again, a snail and a water boatman (love those eyes!) November 9, 2025
