Ecosystem in a bank: methods of creation, timing of reproduction and reviews with photos

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Today it is fashionable to create decorative elements with your own hands. One of the decorations of the room, which is easy to make with your own hands, is an ecosystem in a jar - a florarium, which will not only add zest to the interior, but will also become a vivid visual aid about plant life for children and adults.

What is a florarium?

This is a closed ecosystem created under artificial conditions (in a jar, aquarium, bottle or other transparent glass container). A self-made florarium does not require any special care or outside intervention to ensure its full functioning. The ecosystem in the bank is often used as an original decoration for a house, apartment.

Many people think that special skills are needed to create a florarium. In fact, all you need is imagination and creativity. It is not difficult and inexpensive to make an ecosystem in a bank that resembles a piece of a garden, desert, rainforest or underwater world. On sale you can find ready-made florariums that look like works of art. Their pricemany cannot afford. In this article, we will look at ways to make a closed ecosystem in a bank with your own hands so that the object is in no way inferior to ready-made commercial counterparts.

How is it different from a plant terrarium?

Both the florarium and the plant terrarium are one and the same. They are water and are somewhat reminiscent of ordinary aquariums in which fish live, and waterless. For the first time, a closed ecosystem in a bank was created by the English scientist Nathaniel Ward. He conducted his experiments about three hundred years ago. Then he placed in a closed space exotic plants that did not grow in Ward's area. By limiting the sphere, he provided more favorable conditions for the growth of tropical flora.

Thanks to the ecosystem in the bank and Ward's research work, it became possible to transport southern plants unaccustomed to cold climates to different parts of the planet. They are grown in specially equipped winter gardens, greenhouses, greenhouse pavilions.

In those days, not everyone could equip a personal greenhouse, so mini-gardens - florariums became widespread. Today, they grow small or dwarf houseplants that are easy to care for.

Which containers are commonly used

A closed ecosystem in a bank implies the proper arrangement of the microclimate inside it. To make a plant terrarium from living plants in a limited space, you need to pay attention to the study of the structure of the ecosystem and choose the rightcapacity.

The shape of the florarium is usually chosen based on the characteristics of the interior of the room. Today, aquarium-type ecosystems are very popular, where plant compositions are created in ordinary aquariums. Such containers are considered the most convenient for the formation of an internal ecosystem due to the presence of a removable lid and the ability to install lighting.

In the absence of an aquarium, you can use a glass jar. Ecosystems are placed in vases, various glasses, spheres, containers of the original configuration. Transparent tanks, which can surprise you, are sold on the Internet, and you do not have to buy expensive items. Some even use beautiful glass bottles (for example, from collectible wine drinks). Such a creation looks impressive, but at the same time, it is very difficult to make such an ecosystem and take care of it through a narrow neck.

Florists who create ecosystems in a closed vessel recommend choosing a container not by size or design, but by practicality and convenience in further use. In a classic square aquarium or a half-liter jar, you can create a real masterpiece. Florariums located in unusual places look spectacular. They can be mounted on the wall, put on the floor, decorate the window sill, hang from the ceiling.

You can also improvise with the internal filling of the florarium. It can be completely different, while for joint cultivation it is desirable to make a choice in favor of plants that need the same conditions. Thus, within the walls of the cityapartments, you can create miniature fragments of real natural areas, from mountain landscapes and desert floristry to a piece of tropical dense forests.

Plant terrarium in a jar: scientific research at home

A closed ecosystem in a bank that can support its own life is a great object to study. Many schoolchildren and students who are fond of biology have the opportunity to observe the course of the natural laws of nature, to study the various processes of interaction between representatives of the flora. To conduct experiments from a test tube, a closed ecosystem is formed, as a rule, in a spacious aquarium in order to have constant access to various organisms and maintain a balance between them. To create a florarium at home, you will have to be patient. You can’t expect a quick result right away, because a self-sustaining ecosystem is a complex organism that lives according to its own laws and rules.

Plant water terrarium: tank size and lighting

To create an aquatic ecosystem, first of all, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of capacity. The size of the florarium is of great importance. Beginners are better off starting with small ecosystems. A 3 liter jar is ideal. However, if such a container seems too small or not beautiful enough, you can take an aquarium. In a small aquarium, jar or bottle, it is easiest to create basic conditions. At the same time, there is not enough space in such containers, which will backfire with a lot of difficulties in care andecosystem maintenance.

The smaller the glass tank used, the harder it will be to maintain a comfortable living environment in it. It is much easier to contain a variety of organisms in large vessels. In addition, they have the opportunity to grow. The walls of the tank must let light through, so the cleanliness of the aquarium is a paramount task. It will take more time to maintain regular cleanliness in a large aquarium.

A terrarium in a jar with a closed ecosystem is the most budget option, while purchasing an aquarium with a volume of more than 20 liters will require significant financial investments. In addition, a large tank requires more free space in the room. It will not be able to be fixed on the wall or hung from the ceiling.

When choosing a container for an ecosystem, you must always remember the need to provide it with a source of fluorescent lighting. Such light is needed for the full growth of plants and the maintenance of their vital functions. For a freshwater aquarium, it is recommended to install lamps with a power of 2 to 5 watts for every 4 liters of water. Incandescent lamps are not used for florariums.

Soil and water

Having decided on a reservoir for a closed ecosystem, you should take care of high-quality soil. A base is laid at the bottom of the aquarium in which the plants can hold on and take root. Mineral-rich soil will provide a normal environment for growth and nutrient metabolism.

When using a small aquarium or a small jar, you need to lay a layer of sand up to 2.5 cm thick on the bottom, anddistribute small pebbles of gravel on top. If a larger vessel is used as a container for the florarium, sand is laid in a layer of 4 cm, and a layer of gravel should be at least 2 cm. You can buy these materials at any pet store or collect from the nearest pond.

After the soil is ready, the vessel is filled with water. You can use both bottled water and tap water, but then you have to take care of its dechlorination. Water is the primary source of food not only for fish, crayfish, turtles and other living inhabitants of the aquarium, but also for algae and various bacteria. You can also collect water from the pond in a jar - it will help create a more natural habitat for plants. If bottled (distilled) liquid is used, plant growth will be slower.

Plants are the next link in the ecosystem

After that, you can start planting plants. For an aquatic ecosystem, algae are usually chosen. It should be borne in mind that these plants grow very quickly and need periodic pruning. You need to choose plants based on what kind of closed ecosystem you plan to do with your own hands. If it is a vegetable florarium, the algae does not have to be edible. If you plan to create an autonomous ecosystem in a jar that looks like a miniature aquarium, you should look for species that are edible for shellfish and fish. It is also necessary to take into account that some varieties are located on the surface, while others are located at the bottom. For creatingdiverse habitat in a large tank (at least 3L), the following plant species are recommended:

• algae that grow at the bottom (calamus, rotala green, vallisneria);
• superficial duckweed, water lilies;
• aquarium moss, which is attached to the branches of other representatives of the flora.

Packing fish

If it is planned to include all the main links in an aquatic closed ecosystem, one cannot do without fish and shellfish. But before placing representatives of freshwater fauna here, it is important to make sure that all plants have taken root, taken root and are actively growing. In addition, it is necessary to work on the creation of microbial flora. Bacteria are the next element in the food chain of an autonomous aquatic ecosystem. Before adding fish, you need to place small crustaceans and various microorganisms, including pond snails, daphnia, and microplanaria, into the aquarium. Some of them are food for fish that do not feed on algae and other plants. To this end, it is recommended to add infused water or water from an aquarium in a pet store.

Most of these small microorganisms remain invisible in the water. Usually 10-14 days are enough for the reproduction of small living creatures to such an amount that will be quite enough to place fish and shrimps in the aquarium. First, guppies and shrimps are placed in a jar with an ecosystem. You don’t need to release several dozen at once: it is advisable to repeat the procedure several times during the day, planting inaquarium 1-2 individuals at a time. These fish breed quickly and eventually become food for larger fish.

Many kinds of fish in a small jar is not the best idea. If you want to populate the aquarium with a variety of animals for the sake of balancing the ecosystem, you will have to be patient and have a large tank. It will take time to create species diversity: you need to make sure that each species takes root normally, so they add different fish in turn.

Aquarium Care Rules

No matter how complete the ecosystem chain is, you need to periodically change the water in the bank. Only in clean water the inhabitants of the aquarium will be able to live and breed for a long time. The container must be looked after at least once every two weeks. Every 10-14 days it is recommended to change a fifth of the aquarium water. When using tap water, you must first let it stand in a sealed container. One day is enough for the chlorine to leave the water.

In no case should tap water containing heavy metals be added to the aquatic ecosystem. It is better to pass it through a special filter, otherwise all living organisms may die.

It is also important to control the growth and reproduction of algae. To do this, use a special, so-called aquarium vacuum cleaner. During water changes, the gravel pad should be vacuumed to remove unwanted sprouts, food debris, and feces.

A special filter cloth is sold for cleaning the walls of a glass vessel. Alsoyou can use a magnetic scraper that removes algae from the glass. By the way, daphnia and mollusks feed on small algae, so it is advisable to introduce these microorganisms into the aquarium, which will control plant growth.

It is also important to remove dead fish in a timely manner. You need to count individuals at least once a week. Small animals quickly decompose in the water, which leads to an increase in the level of ammonia and nitrates in the water. Noticing that one of the fish has died, you need to get it out of the tank. Periodically, water should be examined for the content of harmful substances and an assessment of the pH level. This can be done with the help of special kits for monitoring the quality of aquarium water, which are sold at any pet store. If the concentration of chemical elements exceeds the norm, the water must be changed immediately.

How to make an ecosystem in a jar without water

To create a florarium, you need to find a resealable glass jar. Suitable as a bottle, and a small aquarium with a lid. The vessel should have a spacious neck so that you can easily get close to the plants. It is necessary to make a closed terrarium. The ecosystem will need to be tightly sealed to keep air out but still allow daylight to enter.

Before laying the soil on the bottom, the jar must be thoroughly washed. Pebbles should be laid out as the first layer - it will retain dampness and provide air exchange to the root system. Depending on the size of the tank, the bottomcover 2-3 cm of small sea pebbles. You can also use large-caliber, decorative pebbles, which will serve as an excellent decoration. Any variety will do.

The next layer is activated carbon. It is used as a natural filter for water purification. Thanks to activated charcoal, it is possible to ensure the cleanliness of the ecosystem and prevent the overgrowth of microorganisms. This substance is sold in any pharmacy or pet store, it is very cheap. For the florarium, it is necessary to cover the surface of the pebbles with activated carbon.

After the carbon filter, a layer of peat moss is laid out no more than one and a half centimeters thick. Peat moss is a kind of nutrient cushion for the entire ecosystem, which contains a lot of nutrients and valuable substances for plants. Moss retains moisture in the soil and ensures stable plant growth. Moss is sold in greenhouses, winter gardens, plant nurseries or specialized pet stores. Moss is sprinkled on top with soil for indoor plants. The surface of the soil is covered with earth for potted flower crops. There should be enough soil in the jar so that the plants can take root, gain a foothold in it and receive nutrients from the lower layers of the soil.

In principle, you can use any kind of soil to create a closed ecosystem in a bank with your own hands. And the thicker it is, the better. Care should be taken when choosing soil for succulents and cacti - such plants need special soil.

Planting plants

Plant small plants first. All experienced floristsIt is recommended to start with small species. Before planting, the roots of the plant must be carefully shaken off the old earth. If the rhizomes are too long, they should be cut back. The sprout itself is placed in a depression, a small hole in the soil, then the roots are sprinkled with earth and lightly pressed down.

All other types of plants are transplanted in the same way. It is important to ensure that all of them are not located right next to the walls of the glass vessel. Mosses and ferns are excellent for creating a home closed ecosystem, as well as indoor species such as pilea, begonias, Japanese aucuba, aquamarine, fittonia, etc.

The plant terrarium is best left in indirect sunlight. After planting, the plants should be covered and placed in a safe place. If you determine the place for the florarium in direct sunlight, the soil will dry out quickly, but you should not place the jar in the shade either. The ideal place for the container is on the table, not far from the window.

How to care for a plant terrarium

Recommendations for the care of the florarium are quite simple. Plants should be watered when really needed. If you keep the ecosystem under cover, you will often not have to take care of it. As soon as the soil seems dry, you can add a little water. If, on the contrary, there is too much moisture in the soil, it is advisable to leave the container open for a couple of days so that the excess water evaporates and the soil dries slightly.

When insects are found, there is no doubt - they must be removed. Parasites lay their eggs in the soil or on plants. Midges, ants, worms must be eliminated manually, and then cover the jar again with a lid.

When the plants start to grow larger than the glass container, they can be shortened slightly. Plants that get enough light and water can grow very quickly. Many deliberately remove the jar from the light so that the plants grow more slowly, but this is wrong. It is better to cut the branches sometimes so that they are not crowded in the bank than to deprive them of lighting.

Dead plants must be removed, the container should be cleaned of algae and mold. To make it convenient to monitor the state of the ecosystem, it is necessary to periodically clean the glass walls with cotton wool or a special cloth that can be used to wipe the vessel without streaks.

Reviews

Most of the users who follow all the rules of growing the ecosystem are satisfied with the result. People note that at first there are no problems with plant compositions. At first they look fresh, he althy, but after a while the plants begin to hurt. The reason for this lies in the wrong care.

Sunlight plays an important role in a closed ecosystem. At the same time, most users call finding a comfortable place for the tank the biggest problem. It is especially difficult to combine different types of plants in one ecosystem: those that receive more sun develop more actively, but some species, on the contrary, die faster under direct rays. In general, users recommend to everyonetry to create your own florarium and get a lot of positive emotions.