Report prepared as a comprehensive guide for educators, hobbyists, and students interested in closed ecological systems.
| Component | Why you need it | Best source | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Clear, airtight seal (rubber gasket or cork is best) | Thrift store, IKEA, old pickle jar | | Drainage Layer | Prevents root rot (water reservoir) | Small pebbles, LECA balls, perlite | | Separation Layer | Keeps soil from sinking into gravel | Window screen mesh, activated carbon mat, cheesecloth | | Activated Carbon | Filters toxins, prevents mold | Aquarium store, pet store | | Substrate (Soil) | Nutrient base, low in fertilizer | Potting mix + sand + sphagnum moss | | Plants | Hardy, humidity-loving, slow-growing | Mosses, ferns, Fittonia, Pilea, Liverworts | | Cleanup Crew | Eats mold and decay | Springtails (essential); Isopods (optional) | | Water | Distilled or reverse-osmosis only | Grocery store (Tap water kills biospheres) | | Light Source | Energy input | LED grow light or bright indirect sun | Bottle Biosphere Guide
: Moisture-loving plants and "cleanup crew" animals like springtails or to break down decaying matter. 2. Best Plants for a Closed System Report prepared as a comprehensive guide for educators,