Medium Round Ecosphere

Description

The ecosphere represents a simple version of Earth’s own ecosystem. Just like our planet, it is a beautiful ensemble that demonstrates the balance of a closed ecosystem.

Ecospheres are ecosystems composed of microorganisms, algae, and invertebrates.

Their initial purpose was to create a self-sustaining environment capable of producing food and oxygen for NASA aircraft crews, while keeping air and water clean and reusable. These investigations led to the creation of ecospheres.

The ecosphere technology was eventually shared by NASA to help people understand the importance of the life, water, and carbon cycles.

They are completely closed systems—miniature, self-sustaining ecosystems contained in a glass globe.

Inside filtered marine water live red shrimp, along with active microorganisms and algae. Because the ecosphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, no external food supply is needed.

You just need to provide indirect natural or artificial light to maintain the biological cycle inside the sphere.

As a closed and independent system, the living organisms in ecospheres function without polluting the environment, requiring no cleaning and only minimal care. The average lifespan of ecospheres is 2–5 years, although some shrimp have reached up to 20 years inside their ecosphere.

What’s inside my ecosphere?

The ecosystem is formed by shrimp, filtered seawater, algae, bacteria, a gorgonian skeleton, and natural gravel. This type of shrimp was chosen because they show no aggressive behavior toward one another. The gorgonian, gravel, and glass provide surface area for the ecosystem, allowing organisms to settle. Although gorgonians are living organisms in nature, in the ecosphere they are decorative, non-living material, individually hand-cut for each ecosphere.

The cycle: Light, along with the carbon dioxide in the water, enables algae to produce oxygen. Shrimp breathe this oxygen and feed on algae and bacteria. The bacteria convert animal waste into nutrients for the algae. Shrimp and bacteria also produce carbon dioxide, which is then used by the algae to generate oxygen.

Temperature also affects the health of the ecosphere. Keeping the temperature constant improves viability.

Shrimp eat algae and bacteria. If observed closely, shrimp can be seen feeding by picking algae and bacteria off the inner walls of the ecosphere. Even if green algae are not visible, there are plenty of other algae and bacteria present. Shrimp also eat their own molted exoskeletons. These pale, translucent remnants are not dead shrimp but their old shells. After molting, a new exoskeleton expands and hardens.

Do I need to clean my ecosphere?

No. It’s a closed system and opening it would break the established balance.

Temperature

Optimal range is 15–30°C. Above 35°C or below 10°C is dangerous.

Sudden changes (e.g., 25°C to 10°C in minutes) are lethal.

Light

Contrary to popular belief, ecospheres need very little light. Direct sunlight or strong lamp light can overheat the water. Less light is better than too much.

Can I go on vacation?

Yes! That’s the advantage of an ecosphere. You can be away for a month and it will be fine when you return. Just ensure it’s kept in an appropriate location.

Larger ecospheres cope better with environmental changes due to greater thermal inertia.

My shrimp has died

If you see a pale shrimp-like figure, it’s likely a molted exoskeleton—not a dead shrimp. Shrimp are crustaceans with external skeletons they must shed to grow.

Condensation inside the ecosphere

This occurs for the same reason as condensation on a cold drink. The inside is warmer than the glass surface, causing condensation to form on the interior walls.