This is something that I've always wanted to do. If you a had a large enough container how many species do you think could be kept together in a (reasonably) self-sufficient vivarium?
I know nothing about plants, but I'm assuming that sphagnum moss would be good as well as live ferns. As far as the fauna, I'm thinking:
-custodians (isopods, earthworms, and springtails)
-small snails
-harvestmen (Opiliones, feed on snails)
-some sort of predators (maybe wolfies and small bark scorpions)
-a feeder (possibly crickets)
I actually tried this once, but made the mistake of keeping the cage too damp and had a heat light. Within a week or so the cage was packed with mold and mites- disgusting I won't be making that mistake if I do it again.
I didn't plan out what I was going to put in it at all. If I found a group of small insects, I'd toss them in the cage. It was hit or miss- some animals would take over the cage and some would die after a day.
So what are your thoughts on this? I'd love to try it again and get it right this time.
I know nothing about plants, but I'm assuming that sphagnum moss would be good as well as live ferns. As far as the fauna, I'm thinking:
-custodians (isopods, earthworms, and springtails)
-small snails
-harvestmen (Opiliones, feed on snails)
-some sort of predators (maybe wolfies and small bark scorpions)
-a feeder (possibly crickets)
I actually tried this once, but made the mistake of keeping the cage too damp and had a heat light. Within a week or so the cage was packed with mold and mites- disgusting I won't be making that mistake if I do it again.
I didn't plan out what I was going to put in it at all. If I found a group of small insects, I'd toss them in the cage. It was hit or miss- some animals would take over the cage and some would die after a day.
So what are your thoughts on this? I'd love to try it again and get it right this time.