PROJECTS: BIOSPHERE
3c. Fill your jar halfway with NPFW,
and transfer all the ingredients to
the jar, except for calcium carbonate
powder, if used: shrimp, snails, hornwort, duckweed, amphipods, sludge,
ornaments, rocks, seashells. Use the
quantities listed. Do not put in extra
animals or sludge, or otherwise mimic
a traditional aquarium. What makes
this system work is its sparseness.
3d. Fill the remaining volume of the
canning jar with NPFW, leaving 1" or 2"
of airspace at the top. If you have calcium carbonate, add it last, and note
that it will cloud the water for hours.
3e. Say a little prayer as you tighten
the cap on the jar.
3f. Your biosphere is complete!
Place it in a spot with a fairly consistent temperature ( 70– 80°F) and
12– 16 daily hours of moderate light.
Standard room lighting is too dim,
and direct sun is too much. A bright
north window or a 50W bulb a few
feet away are both good, but watch
the temperature.
FINISH X
116 Make: Volume 10
makezine.com/10/biosphere
NOW GO USE IT »
