Creating a Lake Ecosphere │ An ECOSYSTEM within a SEALED glass JAR!

In this video I visit a lake to create a new ecosphere.
This ecosphere is very interesting as it contains aquatic isopods. As far as I can tell these isopods are the main prey species within the ecosphere. They can often be seen exploring their new habitat, however they're quick to spook and even filming them caused some to flee.
The ecosystem also contains 2 different species of planaria. The first planaria are smaller, brownish grey and hunt worms and protozoans. The second species of planaria is known as the Milk-white Planaria (Dendrocoelum lacteum). I am very familiar with the Milk-white planaria as it is my favourite species of flatworm. They are much larger than other planarians. Instead of hunting worms or protozoans this species hunts invertebrates and aquatic insects. I was very happy to be able to film this species hunting for my subscribers to watch. I'm uncertain if the isopod population will be able to coexist with such a large predator, but I am hopeful for the future.
The ecosphere also hosts leeches, which usually spend their time near the surface and exploring the glass. I don't like leeches and haven't had much luck with them in ecospheres before. I doubt they'll breed within this ecosphere.
I look forward to watching this ecosphere develop over time and I hope to film many update videos of it in the foreseeable future.

[@Jartopia]

Hi guys. Hope you all enjoy the video!

[@Kaquix]

We will enjoy

[@HeatmanMKIII]

Of course! btw what type of light do you use? and you keet it on 24/7?

[@DatOneCat]

I most definitely do. They're always very relaxing to watch.

[@1peekabl]

Isn't there not enough air space in your ecosphere ? (too much water) Great video anyway, keep it up !!

[@paulotitojunior]

Watching from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil!

[@OkayContent]

No joke, your channel is like an oasis in the internet, so chill, so informative, so fascinating, and such high quality 🔥

[@kairam5142]

There's a fire on quality 🚒

[@daviddoyonjr5774]

Shut up 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@klaytonshell5654]

Hi

[@superidoldexiaorongdominid3395]

@@kairam5142I farted in my moms mouth

[@Mistrudels]

I dont know if anyone will read this. But i want to say a few things to you. I just rewatched most of your videos. I cant tell you how much theyve helped me. Ive never had anxiety or depression but recently work has put me in a tough spot mentally. I come back to the comments to see if anyone has heard from you or provided any wellness update on you and didnt find anything of note outside of someone claiming you died with no proof. In any event, you are appreciated and loved and if you are out there Jartopia. I sincerely hope you are happy and healthy. Thank you for providing most of us with a fascination we didnt know we had. All the best to you

[@arfur5696]

3:35 Daphnia in the top left corner!!!!

[@megan00b8]

I know there's many comments like this, but they're right, it's truly fascinating how such a small scoop of random soil at a random lake houses an entire ecosystem like that. Seeing the countless creatures that live in the ecosphere feels like watching a documentary, but then I always remember that this is all a single jar worth of lake that houses all of this marvel!

[@moonstrifflimestone5493]

Honestly, native terrariums like this do a way better job of convincing me to wash my hands after messing around outdoors than adults ever could. Great terrarium dude, aquatic ones are my favourite! Your insight into the creatures here in both the video and the description is very interesting and informative :).

[@cozzie4ra]

Fresh water has loads of dangerous "bugs" in it. There is that one that eats your brain 🧠 Naegleria fowleri

[@Jeansoverslacks]

All I can think of is all the times I used to swim in the lake as a kid…never again

[@JimbletonJames]

Hey Jartopia, love your vids. I do however have a request. Can you give us a setup video? Like how you have your lamps setup, what stand your ecospheres are on? How much lighting/darkness you give them and where? It would be so helpful for people like me who keep making ecospheres only to have them die in like a week. Thanks

[@ZakJJ1]

Thank you brother. Was just accepted to live in a veteran colony. I have land in the woods and surrounded by nature. Life can be absolute terror at times but the simple act of being one with nature cures it for me. Thank you

[@danielschmidtke9213]

I semi-accidentally did this. Ended up with a stable ecosphere with some algae and hydrilla for plants, 2 or 3 species of tiny crustaceans, some sort of tiny round worms, 2 baby snails and hydra. They all seemed to hit a cycle and it was real relaxing to watch. Way cooler than sea monkeys and self sustained in a 1 pint jar.

[@mr.hightower8839]

Man I love these ecosphere videos, incredibly therapeutic for me honestly. My first ecosphere I made failed in about a week, I believe it was due to the temperature it got to while I was away (upwards of 90 F, give or take) However I decided to try my luck at a terrarium instead about 2 weeks ago & it's thriving, I've started seeing very small spring tales walking around the glass recently which is really nice! Watching this video has inspired me to have another shot at an ecosphere now that I have a more proper setup!

[@Tinnerito]

*Suggestion for future video:* you should make a paludarium!

[@dik56]

ive been thinking of doing that for a long time

[@Tinnerito]

@@dik56 same

[@masonhightower4426]

It’s called a paludarium

[@goose5718]

I think that would be hard to do in a jar

[@kevinisbell1867]

​@@goose5718 what if you poo in the jar then the poo could be like a little island.

[@godandfishing3345]

Years and still going strong, thank you friend and keep up the good work

[@drunkenmonkey31]

It’s amazing what you can get from a few scoops of soil, I was surprised to find 3 leaches in mine.

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Flamethrower or shotgun time :0

[@countbooga6997]

Im pretty sure this is staged and he does a lot behind the scenes to curate these terrariums, but adding that to the vids would lose him viewers.

[@drunkenmonkey31]

@@countbooga6997 you have never tried this yourself then have you? Give it a go and you will be surprised

[@driftingeyeball2675]

@@countbooga6997 i know this is a surprising fact, but the animals dont do a happy dance to get your attention while being scooped up to indicate that they are infact in the soil, not being put in afterwards

[@BookofMourne]

@@countbooga6997 Nope, I just put silt in mine and got so many things

[@2424Lars]

Your videos are so amazing and relaxing, I can't get enough of them!

[@redallowed_a_typo]

I’m fascinated by how many different species of organisms are present eventually! It would be cool to know if the soil containing the eggs of these creatures were found in a special location? I just never expected that from that small scoop of dirt, the biodiversity it contained would turn out to be so dense and vast.

[@nikobellic3540]

I think being on the side of the lake the wind is blowing toward helps the waves and current from the wind probably blow some extra to that side

[@jvcobbb8374]

Jokes aside, your videos are like a aquatic sanctuary on the internet. So calm, so much information, so mesmerizing, and beautiful quality

[@Sleepyjew]

Dude awesome! Thanks for another video. I'm headed out today for rock hounding and new spring ecospheres!

[@gwynyvyr]

Love seeing you've posted another video! I am almost up to making an ecosphere myself...just going to re-watch your videos a few more times and then maybe I'll feel more confident!

[@xserienchiller86]

suceed?

[@spingebill8551]

It’s odd to think those flatworms and even the isopods aren’t that different than what you would see in the Cambrian period oceans

[@PTB_BE]

I looked yesterday if there was a new video and BAM: today there is a new one

[@CosmoSimpDragon]

Just came across your channel was watching the last vid when boom another upload

[@ppm5960]

Nice video

[@bosine9431]

Hey ive always wondered how you identify species so easily. How do you do it?

[@fmnrbmbg9736]

Maybe he uses a book and goes through every photo until he finds one that looks similar to the one he wants to know,or maybe he takes a picture of these animals and puts them through Google lens,who knows...

[@samilipirate2962]

There are a few ways to id microbiota, like larvae you would check the amount of prongs on their tail, but I’m sure it’s mostly done with id guides that are available. They are often used to identify water quality based on the amount of biodiversity

[@uhuhuhv5407]

This is not his first time doing this. He probably has years of experience and gained alot knowledge along the way.

[@jamesp9516]

Dichotomous key

[@Battleray]

Or a plant and animal I identifier or insect identifier 😊

[@tarunyadav6808]

He's back!!

[@haydenrfroehlich7081]

Your cinematography is always excellent! What camera and lenses do you use?

[@mrrast4602]

I am curious too!

[@christianriddler5063]

You're thanking me for watching? Well, let me thank you for making these videos, thank you!

[@robinkling9290]

this channel is like an oasis in the desert of the internet

[@IlseMulAuthor]

This is a lovely eco system you created! It's certainly an inspiration to create one myself one day to make an example of what the world of my books (Tergaenae) might look like. Did all these critters come out of that mud you put into the jar? Incredible!

[@potatofartsquad]

"There seems to only be one individual" Starts cutting itself in half to multiply-

[@teknocowboy7180]

Just found this channel and am completely mesmerized. ZS said this is an oasis, and that is exactly what it feels like. Can’t wait to keep up with the channel from here on out.

[@Kolyamatic]

This is one of the projects I plan on finishing this spring!!

[@gabrielleon5279]

All that life in just a few scoops of dirt absolutely amazing

[@Rifrex]

YES BEEN WAITING FOR YOUR UPLOADS 👍👍👍

[@bilimsanatduzen2074]

so informative, so fascinating, and such high quality i jizzz literally

[@Submarine_2010]

Very cool

[@zackdissolves]

Honey wake up, Jartopia uploaded

[@joaoscaldini105]

Great video!

[@somethingsafoot]

🚨JARTOPIA UPLOAD ALERT 🚨

[@wiwwy]

YEAA

[@tobwrld]

OBSESSED WITH THIS. i’ve literally showed all my friends omg

[@robstevens9667]

Fantastic 👍 Sorry if this is a daft question, were they aquatic plants you dropped in?

[@WirTrivedi]

Awesome

[@stevebrown1473]

Knypersley looking great 👍🏻

[@henrystp]

Beautiful content. Thank you.

[@KSL042]

Love the information in these videos and now knowing this information I probably won’t be getting ina lake anytime soon

[@xavierjones6852]

That’s so cool. I live next to lake Lavon in Texas and I want one now

[@mrmissalot8311]

Yo what camera do you use for your close up shots?

[@5mnz7fg]

Great! A question: How do you manage that the glas surface remains relatively free of algea?

[@diogochiovetto8284]

We have the same question. The glass is so clean, it is amazing

[@bleddynwolf8463]

someone will correct me if im wrong, but i think creatures in the jar just eat the algae before it builds up, adding stuff to the jar would kinda defeat the purpose

[@Naglfarlindar]

@@bleddynwolf8463 Yes they do, but it depends on the balance inside. I've had a jar go almost completely green which is now slowly getting 'cleaned' it seems. Presumably because some species (amphipods, snails, isopods, there's all kinds) are thriving.

[@Reir0o]

As algae quantity rises, the herbivores population grows too and eats the algae, then The carnivores population increases as they eat the herbivores, so the algae can grow again. Its a cycle, it wont always be Green and wont always be clean. If it is, that means it isnt balanced as it should.

[@mapleman8499]

Lovely

[@MrPielars]

yay the jar season has begun!

[@hayley_]

My favorite channel

[@Glitchmouse2]

Every creatures in this echosystem: what a nice day, i sure hope they don’t forget about our home…(gets forgotten in the garage)

[@einloggen1000]

Do you just place them next to a window for light or do you use a lamp?

[@izaiahfg]

beautiful and brilliant

[@cameronstokes4059]

AMAZING JOB I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!

[@trippyhippy2110]

Pro tip, if you use something like a spoon or some bubble wrap to stop the water from hitting the substrate than it'll be much more clear right off the bat. Dope project though, love natural systems!

[@katelynnleann1049]

Did you leave enough space at the top before closing the jar? Also, you don’t open this jar up at all? Not even once?

[@kungfuchimp5788]

Man I'm always excited when these pop up on my notifications (when they actually do). So relaxing.

[@ukrainiansturgeon8561]

This is WAY better than she hulk attorney at law. 10/10 would jar again

[@maxcap60]

How often do you turn the light on? Is it LED or one with heat?

[@HelenaMikas]

Wonderful and so fascinating .Do you need jar in sun / shade or ?.. Like another planet .Great work.Liked and subscribed .

[@mrmissalot8311]

Yes please

[@PewYew]

Lovely video. Just started one myself actually. Just a quick question, for the water to clear up did you leave it near the window ?

[@goskaterightnow]

So amazing and also very soothing

[@mraquaticnews5676]

Well present video ✌

[@maxlebow7373]

I like your background music.

[@ThemissingJem_09]

Woah! Cool 👍

[@kairam5142]

I used to use bed sheets for this exact moment. 🐆

[@simon-orlandosinghai]

Amazing how such a small space contains an entire eco system

[@NOyaLzuMu]

I always love your videos

[@davidjeanmichel8358]

finaly a new video

[@kingkunta3294]

Amazing stuff, but I'm never going swimming in a lake again

[@nightmarelinus3634]

Soil from the lake means from the lake-water (next to you, seeing unter the moving water) or from the Lake-land (youre standing at)

[@agnostigo]

Hey man I'm a great fan. It's incredible how simple you create theese jars and the ecosystem survives for years. I want to try this myself, just wondering do i have to use a constant light above the jar for plants or just daylight is enough ?

[@gazb3979]

Might nip and get a jar of knype pool myself! 😁👍

[@hardmusiclover1996]

Dear Jartopia (or someone else), I' ve a question about lighting. What kind of light do you use? And do you protect the ecospheres from direct sunlight? I made a couple of ecospheres (based on an older video of you) but it didn't work out as good as it grew full with duckweed and a lot of algae. I guess it happened because they were standing directly next to the window, catching a lot of sunlight.

[@Reir0o]

I grow some regular plants and common fluorescent house lighting seems to work... I think its about the same. If you have an overgrowth problem, that means your herbivores population have some problem... probably theyre getting harassed too Hard by predators. Try putting in some stuff like dirt, Stone, pieces of branch... places where they can hide from going extinct...

[@kellywilson8400]

I’ve also had this problem last year when trying my first few ecospheres. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, I’m going off of memory, but as far as I remember both sunlight or LED bulbs are safe for the ecosphere, but they should only be in light for around 5-8 hours a day

[@michaelmcandrews9474]

Sounds like it got too much light. Having it under a grow light with a timer would probably be a good way to keep that in check.

[@skorpionmk9390]

I have one that gets like 2 hour of intense direct sunlight, and isn't a problem, try using less water

[@spencerdavis507]

I hate ASMR videos but I need to occasionally play visually stimulating stuff with a calming aidio effect. Combined with my Asperger's brain and love for science..... I'm looking forward to seeing more. (This only video I've seen so far)

[@martins3993]

I want to go to a little lake nearby and make my own now. Did all these animals follow with the water and soil or did you add them specifically?

[@molrat]

5 months late, but im pretty sure they just came from the soil. Did u end up making it and if so, is it still alive?

[@dimpsthealien333]

Fascinating and relaxing. Thank you!

[@andyhsong]

Wow!!!!!!!!

[@KozmicFilms]

New to the channel, do you keep these ecospheres indefinitely or dump them out at some point?

[@freeyourmind7324]

U have amazing footage, can u maybe tell me what camera you are using? Thank you

[@MadMax-ut2id]

Quei interesante !!! Es alucinante, Gracias y Saludos desde México

[@jonrousemusician]

Maybe Earth is just an alien kid's jar.

[@gumbilitous2804]

Do you use a specific kind of lightbulb

[@lukediehl1210]

My boys and I just cleaned out our failed ecosphere last week. Need to give it a good wash and try again. Trying to decide if we'll do aquatic or terrestrial.

[@gogolemon888]

How long do you leave it before deciding it’s failed, I’m asking cause I’m gonna make my first soon

[@lukediehl1210]

@@gogolemon888 I was pretty sure it was done at 5 months. There was no animal activity, and mold was taking over the whole thing. I let it go another 3 months to see if there would be a resurgence, but nothing happened. I'm pretty sure the whole thing was too wet. I had a deep drainage layer, but I collected all the samples on a rainy day, so the soil and plants were all pretty waterlogged. Lesson learned.

[@adamcenteno6155]

I think this would make great food for your fishes if you add some of it to your tank.

[@fitzwaren]

Did life grow that much in only 4 days ?

[@anonymerdackel8513]

It already was in dirt and water

[@AnyfinGoes]

This is so simple, but there's so much complexity inside! I love this!

[@steffenc77]

Hello, and thanks for this informative video. My son and I tried this out a couple of days ago. The dust hasn’t settled, but we can see some interesting things. First off, we went to a small freshwater lake in Norway. We filled a couple of jars with sediments from under a tree (a lot of biowaiste) and picked up a few different types of vegetation. We placed them in two jars, 1L and 4L (0.25 gal and 1 gal), and both seem to thrive. In the big jar, there's a 1-inch water nymph and not much else crawling around. In the second jar, there’s no water nymph, but there are a whole lot of different small creatures. My question is, does this water nymph eat everything and all? How long will this nymph survive since we have sealed the jar? Isn’t it supposed to grow up to be a dragonfly?

[@unspeakablecheese3106]

Mmmmmm, yummy soup

[@WilliamKalagayan]

wow

[@elijahbeth8141]

I like the water rolliepollies

[@madaotee]

I always wonder he put these animals in the jar or they attached to the things he put in the jar

[@OfficialMuffiin]

They're attached.

[@superweetodded4534]

Sheesh. Great content 👌. But if you grabbed that many worms in those few scoops, I pitty the fool that accidentally took a drink of that water

[@jiniaferdousjui]

Did you add anything in the jar to make the ecosystem alive?

[@justatogepienjoyingchocolate]

The forbidden chocolate milk

[@johnsteinat5213]

Everything in that jar requires so few calories that the energy for the ecosystem can be provided by a lightbulb

[@123abcIVX]

These aquatic isopod look like the machines from The Matrix and the flat worm looks like his moving above speed average like the agents and neo.

[@rachelmackenzie1792]

I’m pretty sure he cures the water to see more but other than that I think it’s pretty real

[@doloritax65]

Loved the video as usual. I've often tried my own ecosphere but never succeded on rooting the plants