What Happened to the Moss Ball Ecosphere?

What happened to the moss ball tree ecosphere? How is this doing today? Is this sustainable long-term? Will the snails live? I think you get the idea!
I've been getting questions about this ecosphere on every video since it was uploaded. I only pulled a small fraction for the beginning segment, but needless to say, it was time to address them. If there's something else you can think of that I left out of the video, be sure to let me know and I'll do my best to get back to you.
Also... I'm sorry I had to go and do that to you! ;) You should know by now that it's not my style at all.I have to keep you on your toes though... Don't hate me!
Here's some related content that you may interested in:
Moss Ball Tree Ecosphere Build: • Moss Ball Tree Ecosphere
Ecosphere Inside of a Terrarium: • Putting an Ecosphere I...
Terrarium Inside of an Aquarium: • World's First Closed T...
If you have any further questions, be sure to leave a comment and I'll do my best to get back to you! Also for additional content like this, photos of my terrariums, projects sneak peeks and more, follow me on Instagram @SerpaDesign. / serpadesign
#ecosphere #mossball #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

I'm sorry I had to go and do that to you! 😉 You should know by now that it's not my style at all.I have to keep you on your toes though... Don't hate me! 🙏

[@annethornton9938]

Thanks so much for the update! And so very useful to see in detail how you do your maintenance; sometimes we need a little handholding as we explore a new hobby and seek to do it right :)

[@atomicwinter31]

If you dont feed yer snails calcium, they will actually outgrow their shells and bascally bascally explode. I had that happen to an old snail i got years ago.

[@MDFishTanks]

Baiting those clicks 😂😂😂👍

[@DrOctagon]

You got me with the thumbnail mate! Great work as always!

[@TheMurlocKeeper]

We don't mind small updates! You have a life beyond KZbin. We understand

[@Shaden0040]

To add calcium and magnesium to the set up, add crushed egg shell. 2-3 eggs worth should do it.

[@TheMurlocKeeper]

How crushed are we talking? Like, small pieces for them to chew on...or powder? If the former, wondering if they'd enjoy a small cuttle shell? `(or a piece of a bought one from a pet shop if you can't find your own on a beach) I have some powdered eggshell from when I used to have chickens. I'd save the shells, wash and dry them, then dump them all in a blender until powdered. I'd add this to their feed occassionally. I'm gonna assume the former though...cos that just makes more sense. Was just asking to confirm this. :D

[@hashtastic3537]

@@TheMurlocKeeper The grain size of your egg shell can vary depending on how quickly you need them to be 'used' in their environment, Bigger pieces would get slower release, finer grains would release quicker. Cuttle shell would work but they seem to be quicker than egg shells.

[@fedoraemelianenko7845]

or crushed coral

[@thirsty1629]

TheMurlocKeeper I rinse eggshells to get rid of the protein layer inside it and then crush them with the end of a rolling pin to the size large gravel grains. Then I would place it in pantiehose and put it in the filter. If I were him I would float the pantyhose on top of the terrarium until the snails look normal again

[@OriginalRaveParty]

I wonder if the calmag from a hydroponics store would be better? It's already soluble in water and could be diluted to the right level.

[@QueAquatics]

I just started collecting small patches of moss!!

[@SerpaDesign]

That's awesome! Good luck with whatever you do with them.

[@tttITA10]

Best channel for moss positivity.

[@suitedzombie9846]

I have a tip for you! Each time you do a water change, add a small amount of Seachem Trace Elements into the dechlorinated water. It'll provide the Marimo Ball Tree as well as Snails with essential minerals to allow them to flourish long-term! I hope you can read my post and try it! :)

[@Orlopzi]

Thanks again Tanner! These vids help keep me motivated and excited about the hobby, seeing whats possible when you know your stuff and prepare right! Thank you!

[@dragon6irl]

Don’t play me like that with the thumbnail 😂

[@ryanmadaris6940]

Tanner's version of clickbait... Very informative, though!

[@CrystalHempstock]

Hahaha yeah, I was expecting it to be dead. 🤭

[@murrijuana2842]

Reporting for misleading.

[@wxlurker]

Really great to see this is doing well. I love that underwater bonsai look.

[@LittleBlueOctopus]

I think you could dissolve some calcium in the water or use liquid calcium for the snails. Interesting update!

[@SerpaDesign]

Various ways to go about it doing it for sure.

[@happyaccident105]

@@SerpaDesign have you given them any calcium yet? I feel bad that they aren't getting what they need to have healthy shells.

[@shuckle5013]

Where do you get *dissolvable calcium*

[@LiyanaDIY]

Watching! I remember seeing you put this beauty together.

[@emilybarker2685]

thnaks for your videos i made a terrarium nov 2 2018 from my own backyard and added some ferns from a local park and its still going strong with minimal maintenance :) you are inspiring

[@jarrodblankenship7546]

It is so hard to accept your genius bro. You are so incredibly informal, and the way you present the info is clear and entertaining. Your set ups are all so amazing. Thank you for sharing your special talents with the world of KZbin! You rock!

[@wannesbogers4296]

My first ecosphere was underwater i made it last year it balanced out perfect with the help of the plants the shrimp and the snails i love your videos i always learn something new each time one comes out Respect man

[@riekekelm9276]

I love the new way you make your videos look. I hope it's a great fun for you to make them!

[@SerpaDesign]

Thank you! It's A LOT less work which means I can spend more time on the projects. Making a script takes about an extra 4-5 hours, which is only worth it for certain videos.

[@warmwater79]

So creative! Thanks for sharing and showing how it’s done!

[@sylevemk]

Nice update- Short, sweet and clear. Good to see the 🐌 doing their thing. 💪😎💚

[@illbebe]

I really enjoy your videos, very calming, creative & inspiring. Keep up the great work!

[@christinecarignan9758]

Absolutely love it you actually inspired me to do something similar only it’s a bonsi tree piece of driftwood an I’m gonna use moss balls for the top...!!! Thank you for the inspiration

[@websvox]

I don't say english very well, but I pay so much attention about what you do because I love to have plants for small places and its small animals in it. I see your videos and get relax after a long day of hard working in a school. I'm learning with you and perhaps one day I will try to send you photos of my small plants. I'm Maribug from Brasil and thank you

[@Gregorio621]

You should put them up on KZbin! I need more terrarium/plants stuff haha

[@mariawarda4385]

Nice work as always, thanks for showing us the progress 😊😉

[@haithamyassen9715]

You should work for a zoo creating paludariums/terrariums for the amphibian and reptile area.

[@jonahbrown4985]

How about he makes his own business and work for himself!

[@superdol18]

God knows they need them..they always just throw in a piece of wood, couple of rocks, a fish, water then wallaa AN AQUARIUM

[@gringo77345]

he has a zoo at home

[@hrpdrp97]

@@superdol18 you must be going to some sad shitty zoos. Ive seen some amazing and beautiful natural looking tanks from many different zoos and sanctuaries.

[@terrymiller111]

@@jonahbrown4985 "He did."--KZbin

[@lukeclarke1068]

I love how simple this set up is

[@socalstr]

Absolutely loved this follow up to the original! So well done! Don't change a thing.

[@spookz4469]

This guy is literally the Dr. Seuss of plants.

[@thecyclopticsquid5474]

Or the Bob Ross

[@cockmaster314]

@@thecyclopticsquid5474 or the Gary Harmon

[@Paravetje]

I'm working on getting the supplies to make something like this, so I'm happy with this update video, thanks! :D

[@Tally13]

LOVE it! I plan to make a 'tree' like this for the inside of my betta tank. Brilliant idea.

[@wdk7621]

I love your channel my friend I remember when you hit the hundred subscribers you so deserve it! You make things that look impossible possible.

[@carmelcapricorn7701]

Yes, I am here 4 the update. Turbo has a family now. 😎.🌳🐚🚘🏡

[@missyrabbit5250]

for the calcium issue, could you use finely crushed eggshells? we wash our eggshells, put them in oven for about 10-15 minutes (to prevent any disease), them crush them with roller. they are great for our chickens. maybe you could mix some in with the sand.

[@jen_217_]

Someone probably mentioned this but if you get cuttle bone (like birds use for their beaks) & stick small pieces into the sand it will assist the snails with the calcium they need to keep their shells in great shape! At least that’s one idea & I don’t wanna go through comments but wanted to mention that.. I have a ton of Marimo moss balls & would love to attempt this project if I found the right container.. the tree kind of reminds me of a bonsai... love it.. I love the pink rams horn shells with the red body & think they would make a cool color addition to your project! They are also some other colors including a beautiful light blue & of course they would not grow too big for the container..... gotta get on your IG! Love what you do.. jen

[@FBskater88]

This is your year Tanner! Way to go man love the content

[@madeline7288]

ayyy, just finished maintenance on 2 of my terrariums, thanks for the vid tanner, can't wait to see the new projects

[@IAmGeeSnap]

giggles at the term "extra crispy" :@) love it. i am going to steal that one. thank you for the update on it.

[@TheRosewin]

Looks great. Always love seeing what you are up to no matter what the length of the video. While watching this I noticed some other tiny creatures swimming around. What are they/could they be?

[@jpproductions7771]

Good job buddy. I've always thought how you tubes maintain their ecospheres fresh and clean

[@HarleyQuinnJokr]

I cant wait to make one! I love bringing the outdoors in! Another great video!

[@knightforlorn6731]

Thank you. I always look forward to these videos.

[@biglwrab9634]

Hello, I liked, subscribed and you have convinced me to make a terrarium Oh wow thanks Serpa.

[@Brantov]

Very good and beautiful aquascape.

[@theinvertebratelab]

I Scaped A Little Terrarium Quite A While Ago And It Turned Out Really Well. I Think That Watching Ur Vids Might Have Given Me A Pretty Good Idea Of What I Was Going 2 Do! Thanks For Posting, And Keep Up The Great Work! 😁

[@lutzchouwee9664]

Nice aquascape ! Great job !

[@thethrifteddragon8157]

I really like this update. Thanks!!

[@toddbigeasy]

I like the comment about semantics about "true ecosystem", do what you gotta do to keep it beautiful! I've been doing reef tanks for so long and I hear so many weird comments, like " let the reef feed the fish", whatever. haha. Your moss tree is beautiful btw. enjoyed the video, I may try something similar someday soon. thanks! Todd

[@jg148jg]

Great video, I enjoyed seeing what you do. Keep up the great work.

[@katzpyjamas]

short and sweet,got all the info i needed from it so hey, thank you.

[@shwolverine2300]

Use some crushed coral for adding calcium I think cherry shrimps would work on this project too

[@oren8699]

I think this will be too small for Cherry shrimp

[@alexgfishing3264]

You reminder me of my buddy i used to goto the Arlington reptile expo.(really good guy) I always wanted him to stay a channel but hey you’re even more awesome!!

[@TheMurlocKeeper]

You are such an inspiration with your amazing yet simple ideas! I am yet to make this, but it will remain on my "to do" list in the back of my head, lol! Just like many ideas I have, it all takes effort and money to get all the bits of. One day maybe.... :D

[@haydencomber6624]

love your work !

[@lyrieth8833]

I am getting ready to set up a new aquarium and I totally want to make one of these moss ball trees so cool!

[@nancygrossman1029]

Love your videos! I’ve been making terrariums forever. I use them to propagate my sinningia pusillas, great to add flowers to your terrarium. Keep it going, great job.

[@willarn1]

Great vid, nice update.... and enjoyed the short update video.

[@chrisatkins7596]

Wow definitely be giving this a try soon. Thank you 🙂

[@nikkiguina609]

...so relax to watch this video 👍🏾👍🏾...i love it...refi from Philippines...God bless you more..

[@oscarlopez7991]

Very cool underwater tree.🌳

[@superdol18]

Oh just fyi..the reason the snails are lacking calcium may be due to the moss balls..they require high level of calcium to thrive, so they kind of been feeding on your snail shells for awhile i think😅 So yeah additional calcium in the sphere would be nice at this point

[@nickbricks]

Thank you for these videos!! Ive started breeding icopods and growing moss!

[@vampgaia]

I really like this ecosphere. It's simple enough that I believe I could do it. I'm thinking of making one for my Mom.

[@millersaur]

Where did you get those snails from and what species are they? Great vid man I had to subscribe

[@drapoorv]

You make everything look So simple ...but it is NOT....thanks for being So motivating for beginners like me.

[@miniquii]

i got to say... that looks amazing! I kind of want to give this a try.... i sure do have plenty of moss balls

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Good to see a follow-up. Glad it worked. The worse thing would be a snail death that wasn't noticed pronto.

[@robertcontreras2209]

Have you ever done a succulent terrarium, if so what do you recommend, and if you haven’t, you should! I’d find it so interesting. I just got an agave plant for free and I can’t decide on whether to pot it or put it in a terrarium. Anyway, your content it great, I’m a new sub but have been watching your videos on and off for a while. Keep up the quality!

[@rorypoole5582]

Keep up the great work!

[@itisworthitifithelps]

You really keep it up! Great project!

[@jamesarcher5060]

Beautiful...the moss is pretty too.

[@TuckerSP2011]

Nice! You answered every question! It looks extra crispy!

[@SerpaDesign]

Glad to hear! :)

[@carminepetracca7518]

good going tanner. it reminded me that i have to take care of mine right now. cp.

[@erbigimbi9903]

You are such a great talker. Love it.

[@alabasterkros]

Great surprise! This was another of your creations was hoping to see an update. Thanks ✌😆

[@mayorhardsalmon]

Watching these always makes me so happy! I used to rescue reptiles, and I've had an interest in bioactive vivariums and small terrariums for a long time. I'm not in a place where I can keep a lot of plants or critters right now, so it's nice to live vicariously through these videos. I live in Alaska, where we have little to no sunlight for about six months of the year, so I've been researching plants I might be able to successfully keep over winter. I love succulents, but the lack of proper sun gives them a really difficult time. It might be a challenge, but you're really inspiring me to get creative with it! Thank you for sharing your builds with the world~

[@jesuscontreras-ke2fu]

Thank! For your videos and your voice! Are like therapy to me! And i learning and working to do my own terrarium! I love it! Thank again! Are you doing that for a living?

[@bananapeaches6370]

I love this I truly do. I have a “thing” for mosses :) . Looks so lovely! G’day from Australia 🇦🇺 👋🏻

[@pay1370]

It looks like a cute little bonsai!

[@everfreebrumby8385]

Beautiful

[@SlapShotRegatta22]

Really great build here. I think the minimalist design goes a long way. Complete newbie question here but, in general what kind of water do you use in your projects? Distilled? I heard you mention de-chlorinated water. Do you filter this yourself?

[@MsOceanRiver]

Tanner, I've been wondering, do you run your tap water through a declorination filter or do you just use Declor solution?

[@RavenVargas27]

Wow looks good grew nicely

[@GrowingInterest]

Good to see the mossballs are healthy an growing :D

[@DixieGirl9876]

Looks great! I've also notice my moss balls that are not in aquariums are greener.

[@BeauM27]

I love this ecosphere thanks.

[@LifeInABoxorigin]

For cleaning small amount of water, I use a turkey baster. :) It doesn't work on everything but it helps.

[@Lastman737]

Very nice!🌿✌

[@mswhitetopaz]

just made this beautiful Aquascape. I was wondering why my water has the lightest green hue to it? Is it normal for the marimo ball to leach a little bit of color out? Your's seems to be clear. Thank you and great video!

[@christabellmiranda5480]

Interesting.What patience!!!

[@MS-qr7ns]

I love this. What is the product you are using to spray the water?

[@btdarterschannel112]

Nice! No problem about the shorter video. Looks like you had some copepods living in there before the water change. Awesome! 😃🌿💦👍

[@kennethyoung1980]

That is amazing. Ty

[@dominoot2652]

Can I ask a question? Do you have to cycle a jar like this like how you would cycle a tank? It doesn't seem so, and in that case, why not? Are the snails just hardy enough to survive the cycling process, or is that only a thing in open systems?

[@shallakhan8621]

Love your videos.

[@killham1337]

Don't feel bad about making short videos, this is perfect for an update video

[@XIGuyIX]

Love the content Tanner. Has anyone told you, that you look like a young Klaus Kinski?

[@allosaaldrich]

I am so proud to see those snails are alive and multiplied

[@mitchl5220]

Could you make a truly sealed ecosphere with no maintenance? I have a few of my own and they're pretty old now and I love them

[@SonOfFurzehatt]

How old are yours and what did you put in them? I intend to have a go one day, and I want to cut out the guesswork as much as possible.

[@donks7300]

They still look beautiful

[@kegluwen]

I really want to make one of these trees or maybe two for my next aquarium build

[@bjornkok2061]

You mention the balancing act of balancing critters and plants, could you do a series of video's where you make a small 10/20 liter aquascape with shrimp and balance it over time? Im curious what a balance would look like.

[@ownsacat]

that is such a cute little ecosphere

[@halocemagnum8351]

You should make an ecosphere using volcano shrimp, they’re like spring tails for your ecosphere, except way more fun to watch swim around :)

[@annethornton9938]

Um, assuming you don't mean the spicy fried shrimp appetizer, but Halocaridina rubra also known as Volcano Shrimp, that's a saltwater shrimp from what I can tell...

[@rp101aquatics6]

Hawaiin red shrimp live 15 years or more

[@halocemagnum8351]

Anne Thornton yeah it would have to be a saltwater ecosphere I suppose if you used those shrimps.... Hmmmm... I think there are freshwater shrimps of a similar size, but I’m not sure how they’d do in an ecosphere. Well! It would be quite the adventure for him to make a saltwater ecosphere :)

[@BethRazz]

I was going to buy one of those on Amazon the other day!