Ecospheres - Self Contained Ecosystems!
Ranked #756 in Pets & Animals, #20,474 overall | Donates to Acumen Fund, KIVA, ASPCA
The perfect gift for animal lovers who can't look after a pet!
Ecospheres are amazing - entirely self contained little ecosystems, these biospheres come with live species inside (Hawaiian Red Shrimp), are completely closed, and never need feeding or watering or anything. Just don't break one!
If you wanted to keep sea monkeys, but couldn't keep them alive, love aquariums but can't afford them, and want something decorative and charming on your desk, then an Ecosphere is ideal. They come as a simple and elegant handblown glass globe or teardrop, complete with plants, algae, micro-organisms and shrimp. They last 2-3 years, and only need a light source and a comfortable room temperature.
If you wanted to keep sea monkeys, but couldn't keep them alive, love aquariums but can't afford them, and want something decorative and charming on your desk, then an Ecosphere is ideal. They come as a simple and elegant handblown glass globe or teardrop, complete with plants, algae, micro-organisms and shrimp. They last 2-3 years, and only need a light source and a comfortable room temperature.
How Do They Survive? How Long Do They Last?
It's a self contained circle of life!
It's basically a tiny version of what happens in the wider world - the shrimp eat the algae, which grows in the light, and uses the nutrients provided by the micro-organisms. The micro-organisms feed on any leftovers and shrimp waste.
A larger sphere would support a larger population, and if there are too many shrimp, some will die. And if there are plenty of nutrients and lots of space, they may breed, instead!
And that's it. Round and around. If your sphere finally runs out of shrimp, and you want to, you can get more. Otherwise, you still have an interesting ornament!
Small Ecospheres (Less than $100)
Pod, globe or teardrop? Smaller sized Ecospheres
Watch the algae grow, the shrimp dart about, and the light reflect off the water! A marvellous, living ornament and a perfectly safe, easy aquarium! At about 4 inches across, the small versions of each of these charming biospheres makes a nifty little paperweight, shelf ornament or desk decoration.
Extra Large Ecospheres!
Fantastic coffee table aquariums!
Ecosphere Videos
See what they really look like - complete with little swimming shrimp!
curated content from YouTube
Brine Shrimp on eBay
Brine shrimp are easy to raise - and cheap to buy!
Slightly More Maintenance: More Self Contained Ecosystems
So you don't like shrimp...?
These lovely little aquatic ecosystems, ant farms and terrariums are a little more hands on - you set them up, and provide water and enough light, but are still very low maintenance. In some cases, you need to get hold of the species separately.
Terrariums on eBay
Grow your own little plant world!
Would You Like An EcoSphere?
Or would you rather have a 'real' aquarium?
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crstnblue
May 12, 2012 @ 7:20 pm | delete
- Very interesting lens - made me recall the years spent in school and being fascinated with biology, genetics and lots of creative projects...
Ecospheres could be awesome challenging mini life boosting labs (if used in a positive/ constructive way)
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aesta1
Jan 15, 2012 @ 12:17 am | delete
- This is really interesting. I want to have one.
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hntrssthmpsn
Dec 29, 2011 @ 5:29 pm | delete
- Awesome!! I have a nephew who recently (and heartbreakingly) failed the "goldfish test"... his birthday is in February, and I'm thinkin' an ecosphere might be the perfect starter "pet" for him!
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cffutah
Dec 15, 2011 @ 9:23 pm | delete
- enjoyed my visit on your lens tonight, thank you!
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waterlily78
Dec 8, 2011 @ 1:04 pm | delete
- These are really quite interesting!
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jptanabe
Dec 8, 2011 @ 7:43 am | delete
- Oh yes, these ecospheres look really cool. The shrimp might be a bit too tempting for my cats though!
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lilymom24
Dec 8, 2011 @ 7:04 am | delete
- I'm not sure if I would want an ecosphere but I'm certain my boys would love it and find it extremely interesting.
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Vladi
Dec 8, 2011 @ 1:29 am | delete
- A little ecosphere with shrimp would suit me!
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susannaduffy
Dec 8, 2011 @ 1:27 am | delete
- Oh yes, I'd really like an EcoSphere!, The little pets wouldn't talk back to me
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by Flynn_the_Cat
I'm a Marine Biology post-graduate student, digital artist, traditional artist and photographer, obsessive reader, librarian and internet addict.
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EcoSphere Closed Aquatic Ecosystem, Extra Large Sphere
Amazon Price: $395.00 (as of 05/31/2012)
Terrarium Craft: Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds
Amazon Price: $10.76 (as of 05/31/2012)
Air Swimmer Remote Control Inflatable Flying Shark
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
Don't think you (or whoever you're buying for) can keep even a few shrimp alive? Buy them a flying shark instead!
Also comes in Clownfish form
