Whys Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) Jarquarium is a TM of ajmckay. Jarquarium Challenge Build a Self Sustaining Pico in a Jar [details] Goal: Use the linked jar above, or similar container, to create a sealed, self sustaining biotope, similar to an Ecosphere. Explanation: When we all use a similar jar and work together, we limit the unknowns, can control our variables, and replicate each other's results. It makes it possible to form control-groups and experimental-groups for identifying particular variables with a degree of certainty, and each jar added to the experiment expands the total research potential. Purpose: Fun, discovery, and bragging rights. Resources: Ecosphere Handbook Ecosphere (aquarium) -- Wiki petshrimp.com shrimpspot.com Opae ula (Hawaiian Red Shrimp) -- Reproduction Basics Micro-Lobster -- Reproduction Cycle Misc: Glass Globes *The first two posts will be updated as needed. Edited February 25, 2012 by Whys Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) Show Case:The intention of this showcase is to present factual results that can be duplicated or verified. Claims posted elsewhere in this thread are largely beyond my control. It is up to the individual to decide for themselves what they do and don't believe, but any claim without a showcase entry to support it, should be questioned and taken with extreme skepticism. *listed in order of first photo submitted.new-b-reefer : my reef in a bottle experimentApr 5, 2012 (4.75 months sealed) : amphipod, spionid worm, chaeto. AquaticEngineer : Video of the Sitka Shrimp and Tigriopus CalifornicusMar 15, 2012Whys : [details]Mar 19, 2012 (0 days sealed) ajmckay : 2 Qt. sealed pico experimentFeb 29, 2012herranton : Canned ShrimpOct 9, 2012 (7 months sealed): 1 Hawaiian Red Shrimp.new-b-reefer : my reef in a bottle X2 experiment (added another one)Mar 27, 2012 (7 days sealed)rb1685Jun 6, 2012AquaticEngineerDec 18, 2012 Edited January 2, 2013 by Whys Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) I've bought 2 jars and they should be here in a week. I like the idea of measuring pH and ammonia just before sealing it, then just after unsealing it, and then 1 hour after that. I'm concerned that upon unsealing it, even if ammonia doesn't spike, a CO2 swing could swing the pH. That could be a problem even if the jar was quickly opened and closed because the CO2 change will have occurred within the air pocket. ---------- Good science dictates that we would first attempt to recreate a working model. That would be the Ecosphere, and that is where I would personally like to start, but I need at least 1 other partner to take that same track with me. Anyone? Edited February 14, 2012 by Whys Quote Link to comment
mattidallama Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I think I might try this just need to get the pods and star and. And don't forget the jar Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 Here's some useful information on the Ecosphere. Ecosphere (aquarium) -- Wiki Ecosphere Handbook Quote Link to comment
TinyGiant Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 how to do you keep it warm? and are you only doing plants and small inverts? Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 (edited) There seems to be a lot of interest in creating this kind of biotope right now, so I created this thread in an attempt to get as many people on the same "page" as possible. I'm happy to contribute 2 jars to the team effort and manage this thread in a neutral manner, but what direction this research takes is up to the group. I would like to use my own 2 jars in an attempt to recreate an ecosphere because I think that's the most sensible place to begin. However, I have another thread I'm very involved in right now and so don't wish to be the lead on this, just a contributing partner. The ecosphere only contains some sand, filimentous green hair algae, a pocket of air, and the red shrimp. That's it. And the one NASA designed that I have in my home is over 15 years old. My own will probably petter out soon, but I really want to build one for my daughter as an acrylic window pane for our new house. It would be an interior window. Typically, ecospheres just need ambient heat and light. The magic is in never needing to feed or clean. Edited February 9, 2012 by Whys Quote Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) I'm sooooooo down for this. I think I already have everything except the jars. I literally just made 6 glass 1/2 gallon cylinders last night with coldwater tidepool animals. Edited February 10, 2012 by AquaticEngineer Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) If people would like a different jar, that's fine. I'm just trying to build consensus, and the jar seems a great place to start for that. It also makes it easier for people to draw comparisons based on nothing more than visual inspection of photos. That said, if there is a more appropriate jar, please suggest it. The one I've linked was suggested by mmcguffi. I've show cased it here because I find his reasoning for it selection to be impeccable. I'll give some live photos once mine arrive and test for visual distortion when filled with water. Then the group can decide if it wishes to select a different jar. It's all about consensus, because that's where all the real power is. Edited February 10, 2012 by Whys Quote Link to comment
pj86 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) Whys, interesting. I have had one going for 3 weeks now. Different jar though. Here is a progression, photo Edited February 10, 2012 by pj86 Quote Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I did mine with glass cylinder vases from the dollar store, but they dont have lids. I'll get some pics up of mine soon for you guys. Quote Link to comment
jbowser Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I'm in! With another jar but in nontheless Its a 1.75 L (.46g) plastic jar with a purple transparant lid. It has some fresh water, some water from my tank and regular coral sand in it for now. The jar is lit by a single 4W GU10 bulb with 30 degree optics resting on the lid. I will start a thread soon. Jb Quote Link to comment
mmcguffi Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Whys, interesting. I have had one going for 3 weeks now. Different jar though. Here is a progression, photo woah pj definitely need to share some details that's not sealed is it? and you definitely have some kind of supplemental lighting, yea? Quote Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I did mine with glass cylinder vases from the dollar store, but they dont have lids. I'll get some pics up of mine soon for you guys. As promised Quote Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 For tanks inhabitants I am using multiple color variants of Sitka shrimp native to the pacific coast of Oregon, trying out several kinds of algae, keeping tigriopus calicornicus in there as an additional food source for the shrimp, and I just started playing with using individual mussels as a filter after my larger biotope had a phytoplankton bloom. Cleared up the water overnight without any water changes Everything I am keeping is found in the upper tidal or splash zones, so temperature fluctuations are normal to them as well as low oxygen concentrations. I might try some small limpets or chitons as well. Quote Link to comment
Jacob042426 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Can this be a contest to win a prize like the Walmart pico contest? If it is, ill do it. Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) Can this be a contest to win a prize like the Walmart pico contest? If it is, ill do it. Feel free to put up a prize. Edited February 10, 2012 by Whys Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) woah pj definitely need to share some details I'm not sure that's his intention. Impressive work, as always Pj. When do intend to unseal it and what tests do you intend to run when you do? Edited February 10, 2012 by Whys Quote Link to comment
mmcguffi Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) I'm not sure that's his intention. really? that would be really lame to withhold info from the community--this place is about learning not being a braggart I cant see that as pj has kept a very detailed account of his 3 gal, breeding, and has won totm and whatnot Edited February 10, 2012 by mmcguffi Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) Alright, everybody seems to privately feel that the jar itself is an unimportant matter. Behold my powers of intuition. I gently disagree and have given my reasoning. I will continue to promote mmcguffi's jar selection and jar replication in general, while acknowledging that the group has deemed it irrelevant. Given the above, I will likely purchase more of my own jars, the very same jars, for purposes of exact replication. Does anyone know if the filamentous algae in the ecosphere is anything special or hard obtain? Is it just long green hair algae? Could I just pull some from my overflow? really? that would be really lame to withhold info from the community--this place is about learning not being a braggart I cant see that as pj has kept a very detailed account of his 3 gal, breeding, and has won totm and whatnot Pj is not a braggart. He has genuine cred. There's a real difference. Frankly, I welcome his enthusiasm for success and have no doubt he will share all necessary information, as circumstance dictates. Sorry if that wasn't obvious. Edited February 10, 2012 by Whys Quote Link to comment
mmcguffi Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) lol I wouldnt say it's my jar selection--I just posted that cuz I thought about using it as a tank a couple of times. and to be honest I was going to drill it for pumps and wire in LEDs and stuff personally I think any seal-able jar--or even open to the air jars--would more than suffice. youll prolly get more people involved that way. lots of people have jars on hand, but not many have an acrylic cylindrical cigar humidor Edited February 10, 2012 by mmcguffi Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 I'm in! I will start a thread soon. Jb Give the word and I'll link it. If anyone else has a thread they want listed at the top, let me know. Quote Link to comment
Whys Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 As promised Great start! What algae are you using? Is that Chaeto? Quote Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Great start! What algae are you using? Is that Chaeto? Using 4 different kinds that I collected. All are temperate species of algae, I'll pull out my reference books tonight and ID them. Quote Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) The four types of algae I am using are: Tiny Tube Sea Lettuce (Blidingia spp.) Green Excelsior (Chaetomorpha spp.) Sea Moss (Cladophora spp) Sea Lettuce (Ulva spp) In my larger vase I have 3 kinds of algae currently and I just added several more shrimp. (total of about 8 now) The smaller cylinders all have a single type of algae in each one and 2 shrimp. All of them have been seeded with established tank water from my main systems, as well as tigriopus californicus as a reproducing food source for the shrimp as well as a way to dispose of decaying algae. Edited February 11, 2012 by AquaticEngineer 1 Quote Link to comment
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