My tiny DIY closed jar terrarium

[Mark2002]

I made this tiny closed terrarium with a wine bottle. The grass in it is called Echinodorus Tenellus and I hope this terrarium can do well. As they have survived and stayed green for 14 days.

 

[ADFbreeder]

I love it! It kinda looks like my aquarium with a carpeting plant (I forget the name). Very neat!

 

[PlantedCommunityTank132]

Thats super cool

 

[Mark2002]

One month and the plants (Echinodorus tennellus/Helanthium tenellum) inside it has grown a lot. I added more water as they are taller, and to cover their lower part (Echinodorus Tennellus must either grow submerged or emersed). Although the soil is constantly covered in water, it seems there is no mold or something. And the plants so far are still very healthy and vigorous.

To make the soil aerated, I often swing the bottle lightly or laying the bottle horizontally when I have time (Which also remove the fog/condensation in the surface). And I also open the bottle periodically to replenish O2 or CO2 for the plants.

1 Month


14 days/ 2 weeks

 

[JuiceKong]

Cool project! Love terrariums.

 

[Mark2002]

Today I also filled the terrarium with water. Although once they are submerged, the plants are no longer be able to be access to unlimited CO2. And the soil will forever submerge in water. But these plants have already grown emersed for a month. Echinodorus tennellus in wild inhabits in wetland that often be flooded by water, so they should do well.

On the other hand, I would add in some planktons or snails to make the terrarium more vital. They would help me to provide CO2 for the ecosystem and decompose the decaying plants. If the plants can't do well I can remove the water anyway.

 

[JuiceKong]

What’s the jar’s diameter?

 

[Mark2002]

What’s the jar’s diameter?

8 cm.

Now the grass in the terrarium are keeping producing oxygen bubbles. I am pretty sure they are very healthy, maybe because I treated them like the dry start method in planted aquarium.

 

[Mark2002]

I found that adding water to the half of the bottle would be a good choice. This allows me to put some floating plant and little creatures (Snail and planktons) in the bottle. There will also be enough space for the oxygen gas bubbles that the plants produce. Other than this, this balances the light in the bottle (With deeper the water, the light would be dimmer and distributed less equally on the plants).

Not that necessary, but I guess this can be an advice for people who want a similar project...