Frequently Asked Questions

miniBIOTA is a small-scale, interconnected biosphere created to explore how life sustains itself through cycles of energy, water, and nutrients. It is a living model of Earth's ecosystems, built to help people observe, understand, and engage with natural processes.

Each biome within miniBIOTA, including lakes, shorelines, grasslands, and more, works together as part of a larger system where organisms, climate, and terrain interact. The purpose is to make complex ecological relationships visible and accessible. By watching these environments evolve, adapt, and respond to change, miniBIOTA encourages deeper questions: What does life need to thrive? How do small shifts affect an entire system? What can we learn about the ecosystems we depend on?

The project is designed to inspire curiosity, teach systems thinking, and support hands-on science education through real, observable living systems.

miniBIOTA is a closed ecosystem with no pumps or filters inside the habitats. Life within depends entirely on natural cycles and the interactions between organisms. Plants, animals, and microbes form a food web that recycles nutrients and maintains balance without outside interference.

External systems positioned outside the biosphere such as chillers and lights, introduce energy into the system and drive natural processes like evaporation and rainfall. The interconnected biomes allow water, air, and energy to move freely, making miniBIOTA a self-sustaining model of how real ecosystems function.

miniBIOTA is designed to function as a fully closed ecosystem, where all life depends on internal nutrient cycling, water movement, and energy flow without external exchange of air or water. While the core system operates this way most of the time, it is occasionally opened to introduce new species for study or to improve biodiversity.

At present, the system is venting to the surrounding room during the development of a new chilling and heat exchange system. Once that is complete, the biosphere will be fully sealed again, returning to a true closed-system state as originally intended.

Our planet’s biosphere is deeply interconnected, but its vast scale and long timescales make it hard to fully grasp how changes in one part affect the whole. miniBIOTA brings those complex systems down to a human scale, allowing us to observe real ecological interactions in a way that is immediate and accessible.

By creating a closed, self-sustaining environment, miniBIOTA makes visible the cycles of energy, water, and nutrients that support life. It serves as both a scientific tool and an educational experience, helping people see how ecosystems function, adapt, and depend on balance.

At the moment, miniBIOTA is housed in a private home studio and is not open for public tours. While I’m not able to host general visitors, visits may be possible in specific cases such as media features or collaborations. The best way to experience the project for now is through the videos, updates, and behind-the-scenes content shared online.

Yes, miniBIOTA is inspired by a lifelong fascination with nature and a desire to understand the delicate web of life that connects our planet. As a child, I was drawn to the idea of capturing a small piece of nature, from ocean to land, and observing how everything works together. The project that influenced me the most was Biosphere 2, a real scientific experiment in building a self-contained ecosystem. Even the movie Bio-Dome sparked my imagination back in the day and helped shape the early vision for what would eventually become miniBIOTA.

miniBIOTA includes a variety of interconnected ecosystems that reflect both aquatic and terrestrial environments. These include a freshwater lake biome, a lakeshore transition zone, a grassland biome, a mangrove forest, a coastal beach area, and a shallow seagrass meadow. Each biome is designed to simulate the conditions and species interactions found in its natural counterpart. Together, they allow water, air, and nutrients to move through the system, creating a continuous cycle of life that mirrors the structure of real-world ecosystems.

The biomes in miniBIOTA are interconnected through underground soil pathways, terrestrial or surface water, and linked atmospheres. Each tank is physically linked to the others, allowing water, air, nutrients, and organisms to move freely throughout the system. This setup supports continuous exchange between biomes, where evaporation, rainfall, runoff, and nutrient transfer connect aquatic and terrestrial zones. Organisms interact across boundaries through shared food webs and nutrient cycles. A change in one biome can affect the others, allowing the entire system to behave as a unified, living network, much like a real-world ecosystem.

miniBIOTA is home to a diverse range of organisms that reflect the structure and function of real ecosystems. Its biomes support plants such as algae, aquatic vegetation, grasses, and small flowering species. A wide variety of invertebrates live throughout the system, including snails, limpets, amphipods, clams, ants, crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, beetles, spiders, and multiple species of crabs.

In the aquatic zones, fish, crayfish, oysters, and a wide variety of benthic organisms contribute to the system’s food webs and nutrient cycling. Microorganisms like bacteria and protozoa play a critical role in decomposition and help maintain stable soil and water conditions. Every species in miniBIOTA contributes to natural processes such as waste breakdown, oxygen production, and population control, allowing the system to behave as a self-regulating, living ecosystem.

Food webs and trophic levels in miniBIOTA are managed by carefully selecting species that fulfill specific ecological roles. Producers like algae and plants form the base of the system, capturing energy from light. Herbivores such as snails, amphipods, and some insects feed on plant matter and algae. These are in turn consumed by predators like spiders, beetles, fish, and crabs.

Decomposers and detritivores, including microbes and scavenging invertebrates, break down waste and dead material, returning nutrients to the system. Each organism is chosen for its ability to support the stability and function of the ecosystem, keeping energy flowing and nutrient cycles intact. Because the system is closed, the balance between these trophic levels is constantly observed and adjusted if needed to avoid collapse or overgrowth in any one part of the web.

Overpopulation and extinction are managed by carefully observing population trends and maintaining a balanced food web. Organisms are selected not only for their ecological roles but also for how their life cycles, reproduction rates, and behaviors interact within the closed system.

Predators help keep herbivore populations in check, while limited space and resources naturally regulate growth. In some cases, manual intervention may be necessary to remove excess individuals or reintroduce a species if its numbers drop too low. Because the system is always evolving, it requires ongoing observation and adjustments to keep the balance intact. Rather than aiming for a fixed state, miniBIOTA is managed as a dynamic environment that mirrors the natural rise and fall of populations found in the wild.

Nutrient cycling is maintained through the interactions of plants, animals, decomposers, and the physical movement of water and air. Plants absorb nutrients from soil and water, then pass them through the food web as herbivores and predators consume organic matter. When organisms produce waste or die, decomposers like bacteria, fungi, and scavenging invertebrates break down that material, releasing nutrients back into the environment for plants to reuse.

Because the system is closed, no new nutrients are added from outside. This makes internal recycling essential. Rainfall and runoff help move nutrients between biomes, while sediment, detritus, and root activity keep the soil and water rich in usable material. Every organism plays a role in keeping this cycle going, creating a continuous loop that sustains life within the system.

Weather and seasonal changes in miniBIOTA are simulated using external systems that control light, temperature, and water movement in the form of waves and tides. Timed lighting with varying intensity mimics the natural day-night cycle and can be adjusted to reflect longer or shorter days, similar to seasonal shifts. Temperature is regulated through chillers and heaters located outside the system, which connect to heat exchangers mounted on the backs of each biome and the atmosphere tanks above the biomes. These systems create convection currents that drive evaporation, condensation, and rainfall within the closed environment.

Rainfall is produced by capturing condensed water in multiple reservoirs located in the atmosphere tanks. These reservoirs, referred to as clouds, tip over by gravity when full, releasing water that is distributed down to the biomes below. This process replicates natural rainfall and affects humidity, soil moisture, and the behavior of organisms. By adjusting these environmental factors, miniBIOTA creates conditions that simulate real seasonal rhythms, helping organisms respond to natural cues such as growth, reproduction, and dormancy.

Yes, predators are an important part of the miniBIOTA ecosystem. They help maintain balance by controlling populations of herbivores and detritivores. Depending on the biome, predators may include spiders, beetles, fish, crabs, or other invertebrates that feed on smaller organisms. Their presence supports a functioning food web and allows natural behaviors like hunting, hiding, and competition to occur. Including predators helps keep the system dynamic and prevents any one species from overwhelming the others.

Yes, many of the organisms in miniBIOTA reproduce naturally within the system. Insects like crickets, ants, and roaches lay eggs and complete their life cycles in the biomes. Aquatic species such as snails, amphipods, and some fish also reproduce under the right conditions. Even microorganisms, including bacteria and protozoa, multiply as they break down organic material.

Reproduction is a key part of keeping the system self-sustaining. It allows populations to renew themselves, supports natural food webs, and reflects the life cycles found in real ecosystems. Observing these processes over time helps reveal how ecosystems adapt, recover, and change.

The water cycle in miniBIOTA is maintained through evaporation, condensation, and rainfall, all driven by external heating and cooling systems. Heat exchangers or the lighting system warm the biomes, causing water to evaporate into the air. This moist air rises into the atmosphere tanks, where it contacts chilled surfaces and condenses into droplets. The now dry, cool air then returns to the biomes below, completing a natural convection loop.

Condensed water collects in reservoirs known as clouds. When these clouds fill, they tip over by gravity, sometimes cascading into one another, and release varying amounts of water. This water is distributed through soak hoses, which spread rainfall evenly across the biomes below. The process recreates a natural water cycle, maintaining balanced humidity, soil moisture, and aquatic conditions without the need for pumps or manual watering.

Waves and tides in miniBIOTA are generated using a programmable stepper motor that drives a large pivoting pipe, which also functions as a closed water chamber. As the pipe tilts up and down, it draws water in and out of the marine system. When the pipe is raised, more water flows into the seagrass meadow biome, creating a high tide. When lowered, water is pulled back into the pipe, resulting in a low tide.

To simulate waves, the pipe is oscillated in smaller, repetitive motions. This produces continuous wave movement that travels across the water and reaches the coastal biome. This system mimics the physical effects of real tidal and wave action, helping to oxygenate water, shift sediments, and support species that rely on changing water levels.

miniBIOTA uses standard 29-gallon glass tanks that are drilled and connected with PETG 3D-printed connectors and sealed using rubber couplers and silicone adhesives. Structural components like rain distributors, lighting fixtures, and brackets are also 3D printed in PETG, while the rain reservoirs, or clouds, are made from glass with 3D-printed ends and brackets, pivoting on nylon glass bearings.

The system is supported by 3/4-inch plywood cabinets. Heat exchangers are built from sheet PVC and copper plumbing, and cooling is handled by a flask chiller that reaches -30°C. Lighting is provided by 24 MR16 GU5.3 12V 5W 6000K LED bulbs per biome, mounted in custom 3D-printed fixtures. Every material used is selected for safety, longevity, and compatibility with both aquatic and terrestrial life.

miniBIOTA relies entirely on biological filtration. There are no mechanical filters or pumps inside the system. Instead, waste is broken down by decomposers like bacteria, snails, amphipods, and other detritivores. Plants help absorb excess nutrients, while the movement of water through rainfall and wave action supports oxygenation and circulation. This approach keeps the system closer to how natural ecosystems process and recycle waste.

No, there are no pumps or electronics inside the tanks. All mechanical systems, including lighting, wave generation, and temperature control, are located outside the biomes. This keeps the internal environments free from electrical components and allows the ecosystems to function through natural processes like convection, rainfall, and biological filtration.

Currently, lighting in miniBIOTA follows a day-night schedule using 24 MR16 GU5.3 12-Volt 5 Watt 6000K LED bulbs per biome. These are mounted in custom 3D-printed fixtures and controlled by timers to simulate a natural daily rhythm.

In the near future, the system will transition to a programmed setup with varying intensity and color temperature that shifts throughout the day and across seasons. This will better mimic natural light conditions and provide more accurate cues for plant growth, animal behavior, and seasonal changes across all biomes.

At the moment, temperature inside miniBIOTA is monitored using a basic temperature controller with a digital display. Full monitoring of other parameters is not yet active. However, in the near future, the system will include real-time sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and additional key metrics.

These readings will be charted continuously and displayed on the miniBIOTA website. This will make it possible to track changes over time and understand how specific organisms influence the biosphere as a whole. Monitoring these patterns is essential for studying stability, interactions, and long-term ecosystem behavior.

Not yet, but it’s coming soon. Real-time data monitoring is currently in development. Once active, the system will display live readings for temperature, humidity, oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and other environmental conditions directly on the miniBIOTA website. This feature will allow viewers to observe how the system changes over time and how different organisms influence the balance of the biosphere.

Species populations in miniBIOTA are tracked through a dedicated section of the website where each organism is cataloged and updated over time. Every species has its own interactive species card that includes detailed information such as common and scientific names, the biome it inhabits, trophic role, feeding niche, and conservation status.

Each card also tracks key data like the date the species was added, when it was last seen, whether it is actively reproducing, its estimated population size, and any known predators. Additional notes, photos, and observations help build a fuller picture of how each species is interacting with the system. This ongoing documentation allows changes in population and behavior to be observed over time and helps reveal how individual organisms contribute to the health and balance of the biosphere.

If something goes wrong in miniBIOTA, such as a population crash, equipment failure, or imbalance in nutrients, the system is closely observed and adjusted manually if needed. Because it's a living, evolving biosphere, unexpected changes are part of the process. Sometimes these issues correct themselves as the ecosystem adapts, but in other cases, intervention is necessary to restore balance.

Interventions might include removing or adding organisms, adjusting temperature or light, or improving conditions for struggling species. Every challenge provides an opportunity to learn how real ecosystems respond to stress, and these responses are documented to better understand long-term stability and resilience in closed systems.

Yes, eventually you will be able to. I’m currently working on documenting the entire miniBIOTA system so others can build their own at home. This will include step-by-step instructions, guides, and all the 3D-printable designs used in the project. Once published, everything will be made available online, allowing you to recreate or adapt the system using accessible materials and tools. The goal is to make miniBIOTA an open and approachable project for anyone interested in building their own living biosphere.

Yes, I plan to share a list of species that have worked well in miniBIOTA based on my own experience. This list will include both plants and animals, along with notes on how they interact with the system and what roles they fill. Because ecosystems vary by region, I’ll also provide guidance on what types of organisms to look for locally, rather than relying on a single set of species.

The resource will also explain how to properly introduce species in layers, allowing the system to adjust gradually. In addition, I’ll include a list of species that did not work out, along with explanations of why they failed. This will help others avoid common mistakes and make more informed decisions when designing their own biospheres.

You can support miniBIOTA by following the project on social media, watching and sharing the videos, and spreading the word to others who might be interested in ecosystems, science, or sustainable design. For those who want to contribute more directly, there will be options to support through platforms like Patreon, where you can help fund development, materials, and outreach.

Your support helps make this project more accessible, allowing me to share open-source designs, educational content, and real-time updates as the system evolves. Whether you’re sharing a post or sponsoring a biome, every bit of support helps grow the community and deepen public understanding of how life stays in balance.

Yes, miniBIOTA offers Patreon memberships for those who want to support the project and gain access to exclusive content. Members can receive behind-the-scenes updates, casual video logs, early previews, and more depending on the level of support.

There are also sponsorship options for individuals or organizations who want to support a specific tank or biome. Sponsors may receive name recognition on the tanks, shout-outs in videos, and other perks. These contributions help fund the development, documentation, and public sharing of the miniBIOTA system. Details about how to join or sponsor will be available on the website and Patreon page.

Yes, miniBIOTA has an active Discord community where anyone interested in the project can join, ask questions, and share ideas. There is also a separate community space for Patreon supporters, where members get access to exclusive discussions, updates, and behind-the-scenes content. Both spaces are great for connecting with others who are passionate about ecosystems, design, and closed-system experimentation.

You can share your miniBIOTA experiments through the Discord community, where members post updates, ask questions, and exchange ideas. If you're a Patreon supporter, you can also share your builds and findings in the private community space. In the future, there will be a section on the website where community projects can be featured. Whether you're just starting or have a full system running, your contributions help grow the shared knowledge around closed ecosystems.

miniBIOTA is primarily an educational and experimental project, but it does involve ongoing observation, documentation, and system testing that align with scientific research practices. While it's not part of a formal academic study, the project explores real ecological principles such as nutrient cycling, species interactions, and system resilience. The goal is to better understand how ecosystems function on a small scale and to share those findings openly with others who are curious about biospheres and sustainability.

Yes, collaboration with universities, research institutions, or educational programs is welcome. miniBIOTA offers a hands-on platform for exploring ecology, system dynamics, sustainability, and design. Whether for research, education, or outreach, the project can be adapted to fit specific goals. If your institution is interested in working together, please reach out through the contact form on the website to discuss potential partnerships.

The goal of miniBIOTA is to expand both the physical system and its educational reach. Plans include adding new biomes, improving automation and real-time monitoring, and making the system more modular and accessible for others to build and explore. One upcoming feature is a brackish transition zone that will connect the freshwater and saltwater systems, allowing certain species to move between them and follow more natural breeding behaviors.

There will also be detailed guides, open-source designs, and curriculum materials shared online to support educators, hobbyists, and researchers. Over time, miniBIOTA will continue to evolve as a platform for learning, collaboration, and deeper engagement with the living systems that sustain us.

Yes, the miniBIOTA system will continue to grow through the addition of more tanks, larger biomes, and increased diversity in both habitats and organisms. The focus is on expanding the original system into a more complex and immersive model of Earth's biosphere, with deeper ecological interactions and more detailed long-term observation.

While others are welcome to build their own versions, the main goal is not widespread replication. Instead, the emphasis is on sharing the discoveries, stories, and insights that come from developing and observing this evolving system. miniBIOTA is meant to inspire curiosity about how life works, through hands-on exploration, continuous learning, and close attention to the relationships that sustain living systems.