Creating a self-sustaining ecosystem is a fun and educational activity. You can create an aquatic ecosystem in an aquarium or a terrestrial ecosystem in a terrarium, where you can put the plants of your choice. The procedure itself is simple, but ensuring a balance between the different species can be tricky. By dint of trial, error, commitment with tenacity and dedication, you too can manage to develop a self-sufficient ecosystem.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating an Aquatic Ecosystem
Step 1. Choose the size of your ecosystem
If you are a beginner, you may want to start with something simple. The smaller the tub, the more complicated maintenance becomes. Wider tanks allow you to introduce multiple and different species and offer more space for growth. The surface must be transparent to allow the passage of light.
- A small glass bowl is easy to set up and doesn't take up too much space. For a beginner it is ideal, because it allows you to experiment and identify the most suitable solutions. On the other hand, maintenance is more difficult due to the space that is too small to allow the development of real biodiversity.
- A medium-sized aquarium (40-120 liters) offers more space, but costs more. However, it is still too small in size to allow a full development of the species;
- A large aquarium (250-800 liters) offers the ideal space for the development of real biodiversity. Unfortunately it is very expensive and it is not easy to find the right space in the house.
Step 2. Expose the aquarium to a fluorescent light source
It is an important factor for plant growth. For a freshwater aquarium it is recommended to provide 2-5 watts of light for every 4 liters of water.
Incandescent lamps are of no help to plant growth
Step 3. Prepare the ecosystem substrate
This is the bottom of the aquarium, which allows plants to take root and grow. It is essential to prepare it before doing anything else, in order to create the conditions for an environment conducive to the growth of organisms and the recycling of nutrients.
- If you use a glass bowl, start with a 2.5 cm thick sand bed and overlap a layer of gravel just over 1 cm thick;
- For a medium or large aquarium, start with a 5cm thick bed of sand and overlap a 4-5cm layer of gravel;
- For sand and gravel you can go to a pet shop, or you can go and get them directly from the lake if you have one nearby.
Step 4. Fill the tub with water
It is a fundamental element because it represents the primary food source for fish and other organisms (algae and plankton). You can start with distilled or bottled water, filtered tap water (without chlorine), or taken from a previous aquarium.
- If you use distilled or bottled water, or filtered tap water, add a pinch of fish feed: they will grow faster;
- Using water from another aquarium promotes the growth of organisms, as it already contains essential nutrients.
Step 5. Buy a variety of different plants
During the selection phase, consider the following factors: the speed of growth (how often it will be necessary to prune them), the size, if they are edible for fish and snails and the place of rooting and growth inside the aquarium (if they grow on the seabed or surface and if they branch). To set up an ecosystem based on biodiversity, opt for the following species:
- Plants that grow on the seabed: Eleocharis acicularis, Vallisneria, Rotala rotundifolia;
- Plants that grow on the surface: Duckweed, lotus;
- Branching plants: Riccia fluitans, Java moss, Vesicularia montagnei (or Christmas Moss), Fissidens fontanus (or Phoenix Moss).
- Before introducing fish or snails into the ecosystem, make sure the plants are well established and can take root and thrive.
Step 6. Breed aquatic microorganisms
The next step to organize the ecosystem food chain is to introduce microorganisms such as pond snails, water fleas and micro-planarians. They will be the sustenance of all fish that do not feed on plants or algae. Old aquarium filters are ideal for setting up the environment. You can get them at a pet or fish store.
Many of these microorganisms are invisible to the naked eye, but it is best to wait for them to grow for at least a couple of weeks before putting the fish in the tank
Step 7. Introduce fish or shrimp into the ecosystem
Once the plants and microorganisms have grown, you can start introducing actual fish. It's best to start with smaller ones, like the Guppy, the Dwarf Guppy (or Endler's Poecilia) or the Neocaridine Red Cherry freshwater shrimp. Only put one or two at a time. These fish species reproduce quickly and make excellent food for larger fish.
If you have a larger aquarium, you can introduce different fish in larger numbers. Ensuring the balance of the fish ecosystem is complicated and time-consuming. Make sure each species has time to acclimate before introducing a new one
Part 2 of 3: Maintenance of an Aquatic Ecosystem
Step 1. Change the water
An aquarium requires some maintenance to ensure the survival and good health of all species. Every two weeks or so, replace 10-15% of the tub water with fresh water. If you use tap water, place it in an open basin and let it settle for 24 hours to evaporate the chlorine.
- Check that the water coming from the municipal aqueducts does not have a high content of heavy metals;
- If you are not convinced of the quality of tap water, filter it.
Step 2. Monitor algae growth
The siphon vacuum cleaner is a useful tool that serves to keep under control any proliferation of algae in your aquarium. When you change the water, operate the waste siphon at the same time to remove algae and food scraps that have accumulated on the bottom.
- Clean the aquarium walls with a filter or magnetic sponge to prevent algae from accumulating;
- Introduce plants, snails or water fleas to limit the proliferation of algae.
Step 3. Remove dead fish immediately
At least once a week do a count of your fish to find out any deaths. The small ones decompose quickly, releasing quantities of nitrites, ammonia and nitrates in high concentrations, which can be toxic to other fish. If you see a dead fish, remove it as soon as possible.
Use a diagnostic kit to determine pH and ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. If they are too high, change the water
Part 3 of 3: Creating a Terrestrial Ecosystem
Step 1. Get a glass bowl or case with a stopper
Any size will do for the terrarium. If the opening is wide, it will be easier to work inside it. Make sure it closes well.
- As an alternative, you can use a cookie box with a heavy lid, a pastry container or a glass jar.
- Wash the container well to remove any residue before preparing the terrarium.
Step 2. Fill the bottom with pebbles
The layer of pebbles will cause the water to collect at the bottom, without flooding the plants. The thickness should be about 4-5 cm.
The type of pebbles or pebbles is indifferent. To spice things up, you can also use the colorful pebbles you buy at pet stores
Step 3. Cover the pebbles with a layer of activated charcoal
It is a useful material for filtering the impurities present in the water. It helps to keep the ecosystem healthy and clean, reducing the bacterial and fungal load. The charcoal layer does not have to be particularly thick: it just needs to cover the pebble layer.
Activated charcoal can also be purchased at a pet store
Step 4. Add a generous 1cm of peat moss
On top of the charcoal lay a layer of peat moss. It is a nutrient-rich material that helps maintain hydration and the elements necessary for good plant growth.
Peat moss is bought in nurseries
Step 5. Over the peat moss lay a layer of potting soil
Spread a final layer of potting soil before burying the plants, which will then be able to take root, receiving the necessary water and nutrients from the series of layers below.
- Place enough potting soil for the plants to take root and have enough room to grow and expand. A slightly deeper depth than the earth in the original pot should suffice.
- The different types of potting soil on the market should all be fine. Succulents and cacti, on the other hand, need a specific type.
Step 6. Introduce seedlings
All plants are fine, but small ones are particularly good. Prepare the plants by removing them from the pot and crumbling the hard earth surrounding the roots. Prune excessively long roots. With a spoon, dig a small hole and bury the roots of the plant. Add some potting soil to the base of the stem and press it all the way around.
- Repeat the procedure with all the plants you want to plant, taking care to position them away from the edges of the container.
- Try, as far as possible, to prevent the leaves from touching the surface of the case;
- Some ideal plants to start with: Pilea involucrata, Fittonia, Aloe variegata, Pilea glauca, Acorus gramineus (small calamus), Saxifraga stolonifera, ferns and mosses.
Step 7. Take care of the maintenance of the terrarium
If the cap is tightly closed, the terrarium does not need much maintenance. If it feels too dry, open it up and water the plants a little. If on the other hand it feels too wet, remove the cap for 1-2 days and let it dry a bit.
- In the earth or on the plant there may be insect eggs. If you notice something moving inside, take it out and close the ecosystem;
- Place it in a spot with good indirect light. Close to a window is ideal.
Step 8. Prune the plants if necessary
With adequate amounts of natural light and water, your plants will thrive. If they get too big for the terrarium, you need to prune them. Keep them the size you want and make sure they don't get too lush, so as not to overcrowd the environment.
- Eliminate dead plants that have fallen to the bottom;
- Remove any seaweed or fungus.
