Creating a Woodland Pond Ecosphere

In this video I created a woodland pond ecosphere. The footage isn't the best due to the water's clarity, but that should resolve in time. I will make future update videos of this ecosphere so that you can see how it's developed. If you don't want to miss that... I guess you should subscribe! ;)
I decided to use a Woodland pond that i found whilst walking my dog for my ecosphere. I was interested to see what I could find in there and if there would be anything I haven't seen before.
The plant within the woodland pond is Water Startwort (Callitriche palustris).
I have no idea how suitable it is for ecosphere life, but I suppose that's part of the fun of making an ecosphere in the first place.
Please like, subscribe or comment. This motivates me to make more videos for the future.

[@lavzzyy987]

Today I made my own ecosphere, I hate bugs and crawling creatures so I don't even know why I made it lol now I have to look at some creapy bugs in my room but its also kind of fascinating

[@Jartopia]

That's great to hear, i think the more you look at them the less creepy they may appear. Thanks for watching!

[@mccamokat]

What kind? I honestly want to know which ecosystem you've made into a small jar!

[@realmboy9086]

I can relate. I don't hate them but they can make me cringe and give me goosebumps sometimes. The green plants with the little lives looks so nice though.

[@-insertnamehere-5503]

Wait. There are actually people who NOT love bugs?

[@angelvalmojalupenario4996]

jartopia can u do a face reveal lol

[@Blubb5000]

There are people that just walk by the pond... and there are people that scoop it up and bring it home.

[@Disciple_of_God.]

I love this comment

[@Mikay3218]

And theirs my dog who drinks it

[@mingmingandmikki]

Your video really inspired me to go to a local pond in my university and put a handful of dirt and a cup of swamp water in a jar today. At first I was intimidated because I don’t know if I have the necessary knowledge to create and maintain one of these vivarium, you’ve shown me that I can always just put a bunch of stuff together and wait for it to reach equilibrium. Thank you.

[@Jartopia]

Yeah that is pretty much what ecospheres are all about! I started off very similar to you, my first ecosphere was from my college campus lake. I hope your ecosphere brings you as much joy as mine did!

[@Clumsy-vp3if]

My roommate and my at my college just did this because everyone else on our dorm hall had pet fish and we didn't want to have to pay or worry about feeding/cleaning lol. Now we have snails, leeches, and all sorts of aquatic beetles and unknown creatures.

[@frowner_and_co]

@@Clumsy-vp3if cool

[@catherder6552]

Me at start of vid: Ok... Thats a... Nice... Jar of muddy water... Me at end of vid: LOOK AT THE WEE LITTLE BEETLE FELLA!

[@ShrimpAtWork]

That's a great start! Looking forward to updates on this and your other jars.

[@Jartopia]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to uploading future updates of this. Can't wait to see what it turns out like.

[@jblack7054]

@@Jartopia hows it now?

[@Jartopia]

@@jblack7054 It's doing great. I uploaded a 1 month and 6 month update video to show it's progress.

[@AK-Drakoin]

These videos give me such a sense of wonder and enchantment And they also make me never want to touch dirt again.

[@avae4883]

perfectly said

[@jessh9988]

I dont like bugs much but am slowly falling in love with ecospheres, a lot of deep thought can come of it, and many emotions I didn't know I could have for this kind of thing. Already planning my first one

[@kamm6001]

I love enclosed ecosystems- I could go on all day about them, but I'll spare you I subbed since I cannot wait for an update, lol Youre doing great as a new channel, too

[@Jartopia]

Thank you very much, have a great day!

[@dakotajazzy409]

Hi I was asking if you could possibly give me tips for an enclosed ecosystem, I’ve really wanted to make one for a long time but I’m scared everything will die if I put in an invasive plant species or a wrong specimen for example. Sorry this is very abrupt I’ve just been trying to watch a lot of videos but they all kind of look the same.

[@kamm6001]

@@dakotajazzy409 ...why are you asking me

[@ArtistaOscura]

This is really cool! But now I’m thinking back to all the times my cousins and I swam and played in random ponds when we were kids and I’m a little freaked out that there are so many little critters in that water! 😬

[@brody2k]

I wouldn't start down that road of thought, lmao. Hell, tap water in some places (New York city for example) has so much life in it it's not considered kosher. Yep. Meaty bug water.

[@Kxy2x]

@@brody2k yup theres even little microbes crawling on our faces right now 😂

[@Hakuonu]

Very cool. going to try this i live in the Northeast NA looks like this

[@BUMWRECK3R]

I love these videos, I just found you the other day and already watched a lot. They are entertaining but at the same time.. I was at the lake earlier today and started thinking of all the things in the water touching me...

[@archaldfn7007]

I’ve been inspired! I did my first jar terrarium thing today and now I wanna do a pond one!

[@MasterBlade360]

I love in the greater Vancouver area. In Canada. I hope to try this soon!

[@thenightcorewitch5788]

Wow looks so cool so many new life forms it’s so interesting

[@marki.r7040]

Can we all talk about how he gets some dirt and there are 30 different species there? I'm scared now, so many bugs

[@Prof_D_Nerdice]

I never thought I would be so excited seeing Ecosphere Time

[@willieschick7315]

These videos helped me decide what I want to study in college (for others university) , I think I want to study some sort of biology.

[@platych9701]

I like your videos. I push good and subbed your channel just now.

[@Jartopia]

Thank you! Update video of this ecosphere coming soon!

[@platych9701]

I stay tune✨

[@jaripearson1775]

Good job with the video, keep it up!

[@BlercNet]

Nice! Can't wait for an update.

[@kamm6001]

same here!

[@Jartopia]

Thanks guys, you can count on me to bring updates in the future :)

[@noinformationavailable4114]

Sweet! Really cool to see that much life in there

[@Jartopia]

Ikr, I bet more stuff will pop up in there in time too

[@noinformationavailable4114]

@@Jartopia definitley! As hibernating microbes and organisms become warmer or adjust to their new home, you'll see spintaneous life of new colonies along the next year! The most I've seen from one of mine is a new species popping up after being dormant for almost 2 years!

[@isaac6857]

this is so cool I want to do one now

[@RicoHarding]

Amazing

[@justeb6612]

I need to pick up a hobby like this😯

[@iliketoast7804]

I GOTTA MAKE A ECOSPHERE SOMETIME💚

[@Vika-005]

It’s so cool how there are so many different creatures in there. I scooped mine up from a local pond, and I only see two different types of very tiny organisms. I wish mine had more crustaceans in there

[@jenniferlynn7185]

What is your light source? We have a new pond and I'd love to try this in the spring. Thank you for sharing

[@siriasarvepalli324]

Hey there....I love your videos....can you tell us what you use to observe the minuscule lifeforms?

[@keyhan3273]

This makes me never want to swim in a lake knowing so much life is under ur toes

[@gromidas]

One man one jar 😌

[@FindingFishes]

how on earth do you know about the names of all the micro organism and live things inside the jar ???

[@gameplayinternet3317]

Finding Fishes Bet he is an scientist or he studied micro organism prob

[@fourletterwords1826]

Big Brain

[@2beeornot2bee13]

Google

[@goldmamba2468]

@Ms. Tal Except it does. Just search for aquatic creatures and organisms native to your area and voila.

[@goldmamba2468]

Ms. Tal ??? Isn’t the purpose of Google to find sites with info related to what your searching for? It is known that facts or info straight from Google isn’t always accurate. But it is great at listing sites with correct information. Don’t know what you’re referring to by promoted posts.

[@azrail_winters]

Nice

[@Mobeku]

What do you use to get a close up on the organisms when you’re not recording? A magnifying glass? What do you recommend?

[@JustSomeGuywithEpicGrasses]

I guess you can use the camera video preview.

[@realmboy9086]

I started out with this today. Two jars with content from a smaller stream and one from a fairly dirty pond. My question is: how much light do they require? Also, by the stream there was snails. I put them in the water filled jars but they were sort of floating around. Not sure if that species was fully adapted to underwater living so I put them back (they dwelled on the surface of the stream; rocks, plants, small branches). I was afraid that they would drown in my jars. Truly inspired! Thanks!

[@hamzanasab1713]

You just have to leave it close to a window, no direct sunlight tho as it can kill the ecosystem if the jar gets too hot.

[@seanfager8063]

Good on you for looking after the snails like that. It looks like your post is about three months old now : How did/is your experiment go(ing)?

[@joshsimmons8178]

I want those plants lol

[@ajcinstalls]

I'm so interested in doing this! What type of light do you use?

[@joladouille2400]

Hey, great video. But, what about solar exposition ? That must get direct solar ? Shadow ? Thx

[@sandro5535]

I find ecosphere very interesting. Only wish I could see much larger scale. Possible even with fish. Wouldn't that be awesome?

[@daquan9244]

I wanna see how a crossed eco so where would do where you combined to different eco spheres that would be kinda cool

[@ruan11221]

I am going to make a ecosphere your videos inspired me. I was wondering do you use some kind of small grow light? I was also wondering how to find out what kind of organisims will be in there. I mean how do i find out what they are?

[@REAL6]

Just found your channel. Great stuff. I'm gonna have to try to build my first one in a few days. One quick question. After you make it, do you have to always leave it under a light source or just in the beginning,?

[@Jartopia]

This is something i get asked all the time, but tbh the lamp is just used for filming. All my systems get natural sunlight.

[@djbogz1921]

@@Jartopia I just asked that question 🤣

[@alexanderpaul3939]

I have just started my own in a large carbuoy after watching videos like yours. Unsure if i have gathered enough plants. It's currently settling at the moment. How many plants would you suggest I need before I seal it? Thanks.

[@djbogz1921]

I love your videos and have a quick question. Do I need some special light or anything to make these?

[@christopherp.8485]

I feel I want to do this too

[@randolphmullinofsky4761]

Great video! Did I miss the instructions concerning the light bulb as far as how many hours a day and what wattage? I assume that depends on the size of the jar.

[@catclark9488]

He said the light is just for filming. They just need natural light

[@antoniogabriel4089]

MORE PLS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@krzysztofchosta4196]

Hay Jartopia ! I am have got 2 question - Can I make that in 5 litter plastik bottle ? - how can I plant some plants If my hand could not go thru bottle neck ? Thanks for responding

[@Jartopia]

Hi. You definitely can make one from a plastic bottle. If you're using substrate from a wild source you may not have to plant plants as they could be hiding in the substrate. In the event there isn't and you want to plant something you could try tying the plant to a rock and dropping it in. The rock will sink and the plant can root into the soil on it's own. That's at least how I'd go about doing it.

[@kaylinnance7098]

So I made an ecosystem in a large pickle jar with moss several months ago, and I have just kept it under a plant light along with a few of my potted plants. Is this an okay method if I were to do other ecosystems like the aquatic ones you have done?

[@Enceladus_edits]

I’m not a marine biologist, but I can tell you that there are things inside this ecosystem

[@TrollofNorway]

I'm definitely trying this when the ice is gone. What kind of light (light bulbs) are you using?

[@jentzi23]

I kinda want to make one, I love watching waterlife, but do I need a special lightsource like a sunlamp or should I use a normal one?

[@catclark9488]

He said he just uses the light for filming, otherwise they just get normal sunlight, but not direct sun if it's really hot i would think.

[@doge1490]

life can literally evolve anywhere but somedays they'll last

[@maywalker997]

I wonder what would happen if one took water from a brackish environment like the Thames; do brackish critters need more water flow than freshwater ones to survive?

[@one7decimal2eight]

What kind of light bulb do you use? What wattage? Is it for heat or just for simulated sunlight?

[@glunchblast2871]

Awesome video, I recently made a similar sized ecosphere like thus but it had some minnows in it. Will the minnows eat all other organisms?

[@Clumsy-vp3if]

Dude I accidentally got four tiny minnows while scooping water yesterday, didn't notice until the sediments settled, and it would be very difficult and destructive to get them out... Im not optimistic, but they have been living off algae and not noticeably eating animals. What happened in your case.

[@glunchblast2871]

Clumsy0015 the minnows eventually died and a huge surge of life happened after it

[@Kxy2x]

@@glunchblast2871 if that happened then ur minnows were def going on crusades lol

[@thereeds0612]

What type of light are you using. Do you turn it on/off like daytime and nighttime?

[@markankaro1850]

How do you record?

[@banka990]

What is your room's temperature where you keep all your ecospheres? Is it constant?

[@BitByteTechs]

SPEAK DAMN YOU SPEAK!

[@siusiuris3225]

Do you keep the jar closed all the time ? And what temperature and light should this be

[@Jartopia]

This is an ecosphere so it is always kept closed. I keep them in both full sun, partial shade, and full shade. This one in particular is kept in partial shade. Temp isn't important if you're using native species unless the water gets too hot, which can happen in certain climates if it's hot enough.

[@loh.22]

How did you already have oxygen bubbles after one day?! I had my first one for a week and didn’t even get one.

[@savannahlevy97]

Algae produces a ton of oxygen, and so does moss. Also, putting it near a source of light guarantees bubbles within a day or two!

[@miseee007]

What camera or lense are you using to get these shots ?

[@wimpytheory8053]

I'm gonna try to make an ecosphere. I'm gonna use my creek, any tips?

[@arecksONE]

Yeah, watch the video!

[@Kxy2x]

@@arecksONE lol

[@Kxy2x]

Same this weekend

[@Scientistofthedeep]

Could you please tell me if its possible to create a ecosphere where it doesnt require sunlight? Im new to this

[@broccoligirl9019]

Probably not one that has to do with water but I had one that needed little to no sun

[@calebbanker3159]

How can I create a pond ecosphere like from a marsh and what can I find within a pond or a lake. I think hydras are cool

[@imdumbbut1681]

Hey Jartopia, is it okay to let my ecosystem in natural sunlinght? Just leave it at my window all the time. Or do the city night lights bother them?

[@hamzanasab1713]

DON'T leave it in direct sunlight if the jar gets too hot most of it will die

[@imdumbbut1681]

HM Games Ok. Were should I live it then?

[@hamzanasab1713]

@@imdumbbut1681 close to a window where it can get sunlight but its not in direct contact with it

[@imdumbbut1681]

HM Games Ok. I will do that. Thanks!

[@thecore8605]

This is really amazing! Anyone can do this? Like, can i go to a river, get some stones, soil and water in a jar and have this results?

[@ngreen9305]

Yes, for freshwater ecospheres it is that easy. But it is best if you do some research and add plants and animals that will work well together.

[@jeremymueller2848]

What kind of light do you use ???? Grow light ???

[@rolandnew4676]

When is the best time of year to begin one of these aquatic ecospheres?

[@KindaStupid.]

Whenever maybe since they are under water ? Idk

[@catclark9488]

I think you need to put in subtitles on the video that you don't keep a light on it, the light globe is just used for filming and that they need natural light, but not direct sun if it is too hot.

[@ehjones]

Is there a better time of year to create these?

[@cookietronpoop8147]

the natural light in my room isnt the best will that still be ok for a terrarium?

[@juliananderson357]

what is the light ? and is the ecosphere in a darkroom with light on it?

[@maynasta9617]

pretty sure that's just for filming purposes, you can just give them indirect sunlight

[@johncaiwa]

Do you need a big light on it always? Or is that for filming?

[@JustSomeGuywithEpicGrasses]

Yeah. Probably. I'm guessing it's a UV light, because of the plants, but aside from that, I don't have a clue.

[@Kxy2x]

You can use windows

[@animekiller1523]

Is I have to open or keep it alone ?🤔

[@sgfan5000]

What kind of light are you using ?

[@woodgreen8982]

You always keep it closed ?

[@austinlowry4927]

The flat worm behind the leaf may be a planarian

[@exoscience5157]

Which camera do you use

[@matthiasmitchell4801]

I just started watching your videos, and I gotta say that I'm totally hooked. Do you research the plants, animals, and other lifeforms to discover their names before you create your videos, or do you already know about these species?

[@kylehormann5233]

Awesome video, what are you using to get these closeup shots?

[@deheerdreetje558]

𝖨sn’t it bad to keep fly nimfs under water?

[@kirstywright5228]

He releases them once they reach maturity.

[@Pierweijer]

Might I ask why did you put the lamp in top of it?

[@catclark9488]

For filming.

[@Pierweijer]

@@catclark9488 ah here I was thinking about some biological solution but simply filming haha never even crossed my mind :P

[@catclark9488]

@@Pierweijer :)

[@brickstudios844]

How many eco spheres are the now

[@louisbluemeanie3]

What happens to all the larvae when they Hatch into ground-living insects ?

[@KindaStupid.]

Drown or live their days in that little aid pocket

[@KindaStupid.]

AIR

[@jdssurf]

Do you ever have to add water, if so, what kind of water

[@forg2355]

Yes you do, and I'd recommend adding water right from the ecosystem you make the ecosphere from!

[@jdssurf]

@@forg2355 if not then what kind of water, RO water or distilled

[@DudeBronkster]

You do not need to add water after the fact, which is what I assume you were asking. Once you close the lid, you just keep it closed forever. No need to add anything.

[@kitkat_vantass8044]

the floaty worm looks like the nematodes from spongebob

[@robertosuareztolosa1659]

👍😁🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔👍

[@Cam8178]

What kind of bulb is that? Is it necessary?

[@Jartopia]

It's just a regular light bulb. I use the lamp when filming.

[@milicoA]

hey very nice, small correction tho, that first creature is a chironomid larvae (likely from sub family chironominae) not a caddisfly larvae.

[@purplehaze2358]

1:32 Gotta love how the mud looks like diarrhea...

[@dacasman]

Teeming* The pond is *teeming* with life. :P Sorry. I couldn't help myself, haha. Good video though!

[@rincewindtwoflower3989]

February 2nd... he has no idea... but he will

[@ixekun]

I keep thinking that you're adding mineral water (bottle) or tap water because you never show where the water is coming from, lmao

[@chumaggotscaesar]

mmmmmm

[@x0emzz0x]

The first critter (2:56) looks more like a chironomid than a caddisfly

[@earnmoney4741]

Me: gets inspired Me: gets water dirt and rocks, and put it in jar *Looks to jar* Me: *sees jar with dirty mud water* ALSO ME: *thinks i did it wrong and pours the water out*

[@branislav990]

That first larva was not Trichoptera but Chironomidae (Diptera).

[@caseypalmateer4515]

What is "whilst walking" ? Does that mean like whisteling while you walk, or is it some jar keeper term? I wish people would just speek reglar english.

[@Jartopia]

I think you'll find with a quick google search that whilst is a "regular" English word. It means to do something when doing something else.

[@boballen7127]

you told us you dont have a dog

[@tominosik1]

You are not the greatest living cameraman... But the videos are interesting even with the shaky camera job.

[@Jartopia]

i have arthritis lmao

[@tominosik1]

@@Jartopia OK. As I said, the videos are nice. Stay strong