Bottle Biosphere Guide -

Pour 1 inch of pebbles into the bottom. This creates a reservoir for excess water, preventing root rot.

They are hyper-euryhaline (tolerate brackish water), require almost no food (they eat biofilm), and produce negligible waste. Bottle Biosphere Guide

| Symptom | Diagnosis | Cure (if any) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Anaerobic bacteria (no oxygen) | Open immediately. Remove dead matter. Add more springtails. Leave open for 48hrs. | | Yellow/rotting plant leaves | Too much water / nutrient burn | Open lid, trim dead leaves with long scissors. Leave open for 12hrs to evaporate. | | Cloudy glass condensation | Bacterial bloom | Wipe glass with a magnet cleaner if possible. Add activated carbon if you can drop it in. | | No animal movement | Suffocation or starvation | If Opae Ula: add a single grain of spirulina powder. If springtails: they are probably just hidden. | Pour 1 inch of pebbles into the bottom

: Use a clear glass jar or plastic soda bottle with a tight-sealing lid. : Small aquarium rocks, pebbles, or gravel. Filtration | Symptom | Diagnosis | Cure (if any)

Creating a bottle biosphere is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started:

Sprinkle a 1/2-inch layer of activated charcoal over the pebbles. Charcoal absorbs toxins and prevents the "rotten swamp" smell. It also gives the glass that beautiful black contrast.

Have a specific question about algae blooms or animal stocking rates? Leave a comment below or check out our advanced "Bottle Biosphere Calculator" tool.