A Three Year Old Closed Terrarium With LOTS Of Life!

This three year old closed eternal self-sustaining terrarium is still alive and very biodiverse. After being closed airtight for years this jar houses a healthy closed ecosystem, with plants in the form of creeping charlie, or ground ivy, and many animals including isopods, millipedes, springtails and nematodes. All the animals are producing carbon dioxide and nutrients for the plants to grow, while the plants provide the animals with food and oxygen, thereby recreating a food web in this ecosystem in a jar.
Enjoy!
Merch:
www.bonfire.com/lifeinjars
bit.ly/3v7Cu83​​​​​
Patreon:
bit.ly/3vHtZAd
Patrons: Claudia Watrin, Justin Duch, Connor Johnson, Lisa L. Altizer, Nikolas Morka

[@Ayahuasca98]

This is my house I live there

[@dubbel3088]

Do you happen to be a springtail on the internet?

[@Wario-The-Legend]

If he didn't call you out by your scientific name, I cast doubt.

[@RagmaticalRachel]

How's the rent

[@Ayahuasca98]

@@Wario-The-Legend I was busy

[@mutahmarriagecounselor2272]

I want to know how to kill springtails, not perpetuate them!

[@dulljumbo4321]

this is the only closed terrrarium channel that really gets to the point of why people get fascinated by these things. its not just an aesthetic appreciation, its the experiment nature of it.

[@lirachonyr]

yeah, every channel is either "the best looking terrarium ever" or "I MADE AN ECOSYSTEM AND IT EVOLVED IN 3 DAYS!!!!!!". we need more casual channels like this.

[@LifeinJars]

Thanks!

[@Dandontlie]

When approaching your hobby or work in an experimental way, it's a scientific investigation. Yes, he's a scientist

[@glassyGREEN_]

There is nothing better than the feeling of having successfully created a self-sustaining ecosystem

[@samfroggeh]

Because I keep seeing these comments and I'm not creative but also want to somewhat show support. I see Life in Jars, I click.

[@Thememermanwhoisafan]

makes sense

[@LifeinJars]

I appreciate it

[@NewChiqueChloe]

Woah I remember you first making this terrarium This feels like a cameo from a different era of my life popping in to say hello and that's kind of special

[@tamarrajames3590]

It is fascinating to see this closed system continuing with a stable population and no interference for three years and counting. It still has a varied array of species, with none appearing to grow out of proportion to the rest. It gives one pause to consider how it maintains this balance among its many inhabitants. I love these visits to old worlds you have created, thank you for sharing.🖤🇨🇦

[@LifeinJars]

Thank you for watching :)

[@phoenixpinkmyn5535]

Looking forward to the 30-year update :)

[@jakobraahauge7299]

Creeping Charlie can also spread by roots - so it can have offspring without being pollinated, setting seeds, and having to go through all these phases and stimuluses that many plants who must be pollinated and set seeds need - guess that helps it in these specific conditions And thanks for bringing the jar back! 😄 🎉

[@LifeinJars]

Yes that probably helps a ton

[@transtender161]

Such relaxing content, it's like a coffee shop for my brain

[@rickson50]

Hiya, have you considered testing the biome's air content over time? specificly oxygen, co2, nitrogen and maybe composition of nitrogen in the soil? I know it's closed now so you cant stick a sensor in it but maybe you can use Spectroscopy? In future projects you can add sensors inside when designing. Maybe cut in a hole for a wire, then seal the hole so air cant come in/out. People who work on windows on vans use a sealant that works on glass, you can get some of that. the sensors can be super simple and cheap, costing a few cents and easily controlled with an arduino.

[@catus-cactus]

You do it and make videos ❤️

[@ladmad9196]

how reliable are those cheap sensors, cause those i work with start in the hundreds of €

[@rickson50]

@@ladmad9196 can probably get some good enough ones. o2, co2 sensors tend to be very cheap. They dont have to be very accurate. accurate enough to show change thinking about it, you can also add a moisture sensor like the ones that comes with Arduino starter kits to see if the soil moisture stays constant or rises and falls even within the system(I know overall h20 content stays the same, but it may move between soil: air: lifeforms). may show a pattern. Afterall plants perspire in the morning, and the amount of moisture that air holds is temp dependent

[@rickson50]

@@catus-cactus no, this isn't my hobby. But it is the OP's. I'm a biologist but live in nyc, no way can fit a closed terrarium in my tiny apartment

[@LifeinJars]

Yes I have

[@watermelon5521]

It's crazy that I've started watching you that long ago. I'm glad you continue doing these videos, and seeing the jar collection grow along with your channel is a great experience.

[@elateride]

Maybe you could put a cloth/sponge on a magnet inside and have a magnet on the outside so you can clean a little on the glass?

[@trashbagmeatlocker1035]

you are by far the best sealed terrarium/aquarium channel on youtube! ive been watching your videos since the creation of the big spring jar 6 years ago (back when i was doing similar experiments) and i still look forward to every new video!

[@tsykin]

It's amazing to see that this jar survived 3 years!

[@LifeinJars]

It is!

[@jt5604]

How neat is nature?

[@LifeinJars]

Very

[@adamanti]

17:59 look a this myriad of feet. 🙄😄 thank you for filming and narrating another 3 years of preserved life.❤

[@TheSeptemberRose]

YEAH! I loved seeing all those feet too!

[@petrkonecny3286]

I love these types of videos, in one way you learn something new and on the other way its just something that not anyone posts on youtube.. so keep it up!

[@LifeinJars]

Thanks!

[@bluebebop5865]

Love when life in jars uploads

[@CoqueiroLendario]

Hey, potatoer here Your channel makes me want to have a big paludarium at my home fed by basically stuff naturally found in nature, as i live literally in the amazon rainforest, there's a bunch of stuff to be found.

[@lmc689]

There is a channel (Ants Canada) currently doing a series on a ginormous rainforest paladarium. I dislike their presentation style but it's decent information and could be inspiration for what to do or not to do with your own project should you pursue it.

[@CoqueiroLendario]

@@lmc689 Oh yeah i know them, also dislike their style of making things too personal by giving the creatures voicelines and pretending to know what they are thinking

[@omargonzalez-gy1rw]

@@CoqueiroLendarioI also hate it but I learn a few things Lmaooo

[@Wheelman1966]

I love this channel. I've always been fascinated by creating ecosystems. I'm currently experimenting with citrus trees and having great success. I sprouted lemon seeds and planted them in jars with fresh soil and a bit of water. Sealed them. They are all now going on two years old and thriving. What's interesting is that they only seem to grow a couple of inches tall. I'm guessing their roots bottom out on the bottom of the jar. They just seem to live like that. I've noticed nematodes and spring tails in each of the jars. No doubt playing their part in keeping the system healthy.

[@LifeinJars]

Cool!

[@ransomxvi]

Loved that intro and the music. Great work! Thanks for sharing your projects :)

[@LifeinJars]

Thanks for watching :)

[@TreeHopper-yz3sj]

thank you for putting captions on your videos!!! it helps me and probably many others with bad audio processing a lot

[@shontellepetersen4445]

I'm so glad you are making videos again, been here since you started this channel :) hi from nz

[@LifeinJars]

me too :)

[@derskydingus7018]

Keep doing this forever please.

[@tobytomlinson814]

I JUST watched the terrarium creation video earlier this week. This video dropped at the perfect timing! Thanks for the content!

[@that_one_doggo8391]

Armadilidum vulgare tends to burrow so there's a decent chance they're in the soil. Although, in my experience they are more arid so the high humidity could be what got them

[@barbhelle5481]

Thank you for keeping us updated and you are very entertaining.

[@l3176l]

Of course the plants grew tremendously, you slapped a creeping charlie in there. They and their look-a-likes are some tough plants.

[@theotay4715]

Nice to finally get an update on this tererrium. Your videos are amazing! The first video of this terrarium inspired me to someday try to make a similar one, but with my own native flora and fauna instead of just Aquatic closed ecosystems.

[@Turbo187KillerB]

Ooh! Life in Jars!

[@ThieflyChap]

Great to see this guy again. He's looking well.

[@ghoul3y]

how the time flies!! i remember watching the first video when it came out. seems like i was just watching it yesterday

[@gafrers]

Great to see an update on this project

[@emmawilkins2873]

It’s interesting to think that if the jar was well protected somewhere, it could evolve its own life/contain specimens of them extinct plants in a couple centuries. I guess sunlight affects it, and the material of the jar, but I’m thinking about the multiple millennia old sealed containers that have been discovered in places like Egypt. Like that, but echo system.

[@obieobrien5883]

It’s always good to see another video from you!

[@bigsarge2085]

Incredible!

[@angojones3713]

Fascinating video! I've wanted to make some terrariums and ecospheres since I first saw this channel a few years ago, but I don't have any suitable windows in my apartment, or any spare space for lamps and such. I'm hoping to move soon, so maybe I'll finally get to try my hand at it. I'm also considering going back to school for ecology in the future, though I'm slightly worried I'm going to pronounce all my Latin with a dutch accent because of this channel.

[@LifeinJars]

I see that as an absolute win!

[@alexiselwood2111]

Always a good day for LIJ ❤

[@Leto85]

05:55 Ah, a fellow Dutchman I see. No wonder those microbiomes and balcony environment looked so familiar. Do you ever go to another country and make a jar with what you find there?

[@yusufalfyfer9415]

Another educational experience thanks bro ❤❤

[@drakehennig6239]

Fantastic video! I would love to see how/if you ceremoniously repurpose an old enclosure.

[@niko1even]

your channel has become my new binge content. great videos.

[@Sclasspsycho]

I really love learning about your little ecosystems! I would love to try it myself someday!

[@LifeinJars]

Do it, it's fun!

[@francissebastiansamson8561]

17:53 You sure showed them sir! TOTAL OWNAGE! 👍

[@LifeinJars]

YEAH

[@Jacob-em8mn]

love your content man and as far as I'm concerned you're a living legend after drinking that ecosphere

[@LifeinJars]

haha thanks

[@bhutwheyttherismor86]

P. Scaber are great breeders. And P. Muscorum are my personal favorite species.

[@toddberkely6791]

man somekind of atmospheric sensor would have been fascinating.

[@PeopleAreFish]

These videos are surprising engaging. I suddenly have the craving to buy a big jar...

[@NickHermans]

Thank you for your video.

[@opercula]

Fantastic update !! What more can you say.

[@loriehabel477]

Good to see you 😁

[@0hellow797]

Could you try an eco system with an alternate energy source? Or maybe a stir bar? Love the new videos thank you :)))

[@Crystalspets]

I sure enjoyed watching

[@LifeinJars]

good

[@suahim2557]

I LOVE YOU LIFE IN JARS !

[@justablokepostingfunvids7137]

Luv these

[@courtneyevrrlyn9644]

You r gonna go far kid… these vids r awesome btw.

[@claire5244]

woah this is sooo cool!! i want to replicate one myself when i get to do so :0

[@ianhawkins4979]

Großartig.

[@prebuilttarget7191]

I would love to see you take a bunch of your small terrariums and combine them in a large container to see if the new recorses will cause huge boom of life and see if it can come together

[@fighters410]

Love it

[@JoniusGnome]

Closed ecosystems are good for my I am God complex. After many failed attempts I have 2 thriving ecosystems at 4 years old.

[@AnglophobiaIsevil7]

I want to get a glass torch and properly seal some terrariums ampule style. I figure you could start with a boiling flask then stretch the top far enough away then pack it using tweezers. Then torch and twist it to truly seal it up.

[@TalsBadKidney]

oh the glorious content

[@bambulkomccloud3983]

I would love to know how the O2/CO2 ratio is changing in the jar over time. But I guess that would be very difficult to implement.

[@RitoReyes2033]

Finally more videos... 🙌 😌 🙏

[@Broken_robot1986]

You should put the aquarium magnet cleaner and wipe off a lil viewing window for the jars!! Or not, either way.

[@TOMMYLIVSEY-in1du]

I started a jar life experiment in 2020 and all these years later it is still chugging along

[@LifeinJars]

Cool!

[@larch2329]

Very cool

[@GustafUNL]

3 years? Whelp, sounds like about when I last checked up on your channel. Happy to stop by again. Pretty sure I saw the video where you made this one.

[@albori732]

so cool

[@zisaletter4602]

god i love this channel

[@davidbowman5105]

another great video

[@louiesumrall358]

Life in Jars? been popping off recently

[@LifeinJars]

;)

[@Gamerallday2012]

I enjoy'd this content.

[@TheRealTburt]

Creeping Charlie is a relative of the mint plant. Mint is hard to kill. No more explanation needed.

[@zerofaith]

My favorite alien ❤

[@kevinpowell7948]

This jar's future is so bright, I gotta wear shades 😎

[@speadskater]

You should do a collaboration with plants in jars

[@EeeEeEe883]

VERY VERY COOL...

[@EeeEeEe883]

Cool

[@EeeEeEe883]

Btw when next vid

[@normoloid]

Can regular screw lid jars be used or do they have to be further sealed?

[@tracybowling1156]

Darn it! I've seen all of your videos, and I plum forgot about your terrarium. It was a good idea, I guess. But you'd already thought of it. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Anyway, it's fun to get an update. I always love those. If I have any more fantastic ideas, you'll hear them 1st. 😂

[@mlentner80]

RIP Snail 😢

[@yellowflowerorangeflower5706]

Cool😊

[@Tayturs]

This was super entertaining and informative, thank you! I was thinking I’d enjoy a movie about the later generations of bugs getting released into the wild… or a sci fi movie with humans in a similar scenario…. Then I realized that’s kinda like the Barbie movie????

[@zt2ean]

Looked it up on iNaturalist, not sure how accurate it is for total numbers of each species but by far the most frequently observed isopod in the Netherlands is indeed Porcellio scaber, or common rough woodlouse.

[@Phiteros]

When you close one of these jars permanently, do you use some kind of sealant?

[@user-om2vj3cz3e]

do you leave them in the sun all the time. It must get really hot inside if you do. I am trying with mine and I keep it semi light and dark. We have very long winters with no sun. so a little artificial light but very little and I still get a lot of algi.

[@LifeinJars]

nope it gets about 30-60 mins of sun in the morning (if the sun shines) and that's about it

[@joyit6062]

Bro how do u keep them alive so long? All the bugs in mine died after a couple months and then all the plants succumed to mould a few months after that :(

[@fedor4655]

Epic

[@thomasdzubin]

This could be my fridge

[@LifeinJars]

hmmm

[@laurenashley7]

I wonder if the little inhabitants get bored being in the same area for a long time.

[@billbillson3129]

Yay!!!

[@robynvanreenen7477]

Hi. I really enjoy your videos and love small critters. I am curious however, what camera/ device you use for the closeup shots when you show the animals in the jars? I really love springtails and they are abundant here and I struggle to get nice shots of them. I do not own a camera and still use my iPhone 6. So, not the best for something that requires macro.

[@LifeinJars]

you can get a clip-on macro lens

[@mythoughtsonfaith1031]

so i have seen you make sealed systems on accident, but can you design one on purpose? pick the plants and bugs that recycle to sustain

[@chumbucketjones9761]

This is what happened to my jar when i tried to make kimchee.

[@Binkyzinky]

Where do you get your jars?

[@knoppie1988]

Ik volg je kanaal al een tijdje en denk dat ik ook zo een pot ga maken om te zien wat er gebeurd💪🏻

[@knoppie1988]

En het is dat je creepin charlie naar nederlands vertaalde anders wist ik niet dat je nederlands ben😂

[@dbeaumontresident847]

Welcome back.

[@LifeinJars]

thanks

[@mecertified]

Cool filmpje. Misschien kun je een bloedzuigerpot/tank maken in een van je komende video's.

[@BulkierEmu050]

Life is jars