---
title: Bioactive tank: a bioactive terrarium recipe
description: A medium sealed bioactive in a glass box of 37 L, with 7 plants and 2 mosses. 10 gal aquarium or thrifted tank Every layer, plant and moss, and the jar to...
url: https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/bioactive-tank/
---

Starter jar · medium

# Bioactive tank
bioactive

medium · Sealed · Glass box

A medium sealed bioactive in a glass box of 37 L, with 7 plants and 2 mosses.

[Open this jar in the simulator](https://glassjar.garden/?starter=bioactive_tank)

## The container

- Glass: Glass box, 50 x 25 cm, 30 cm tall, 37 L

- Note: 10 gal aquarium or thrifted tank

- Lid: Sealed

## Layers, bottom to top

- [LECA (expanded clay)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/leca/), 2.5 cm (3.12 L)
- [Substrate barrier mesh](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/mesh-barrier/)
- [ABG mix](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/abg-mix/), 10 cm (12.5 L)
- [Leaf litter](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/leaf-litter/), 1.5 cm (1.88 L)

## Stones and wood

- 2 x [Cork bark](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/cork-bark/), about 15 cm
- [Driftwood](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/driftwood/), about 30 cm
- 3 x [Lava rock (scoria)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/lava-rock/), about 6 cm

## Plants

- [Pothos](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/epipremnum-aureum/)
- [Arrowhead plant (dwarf cultivars, e.g. 'Mini Pixie')](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/syngonium-podophyllum-mini/)
- [Rex begonia (miniature cultivars)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/begonia-rex-mini/)
- [Jewel orchid](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/ludisia-discolor/)
- 2 x [Polka dot plant](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/hypoestes-phyllostachya/)
- [String of turtles](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/peperomia-prostrata/)
- [Dwarf Boston fern](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/nephrolepis-exaltata-dwarf/)

## Moss

- [Brocade moss](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/hypnum-imponens/), about 25% cover
- [Baby tooth moss](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/plagiomnium-cuspidatum/), about 10% cover

## Cleanup crew

- 300 [Temperate white springtail](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/folsomia-candida/)
- 20 [Dwarf white isopod](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/trichorhina-tomentosa/)
- 10 [Powder orange / powder blue isopod](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/porcellionides-pruinosus/)

## Water and light

- Water at build: 5310 ml, dechlorinated

- Watering: mist 2 to 3 times a week; feed crew a pinch of fish flake or rice weekly at start

- Light: 6,000 lux, 12 h a day

- Light source: LED bar on top

## How to make it

- Pour the layers, bottom to top: LECA (expanded clay) (2.5 cm), Substrate barrier mesh, ABG mix (10 cm), Leaf litter (1.5 cm).
- Set the hardscape: 2 x Cork bark, Driftwood, 3 x Lava rock (scoria).
- Plant Pothos, Arrowhead plant (dwarf cultivars, e.g. 'Mini Pixie'), Rex begonia (miniature cultivars), Jewel orchid, 2 x Polka dot plant, String of turtles, Dwarf Boston fern.
- Lay the moss: Brocade moss over about 25% of the ground, Baby tooth moss over about 10% of the ground.
- Add the cleanup crew: 300 Temperate white springtail, 20 Dwarf white isopod, 10 Powder orange / powder blue isopod.
- Water with 5310 ml (dechlorinated).
- Close the lid and give it 6,000 lux, 12 h a day: LED bar on top.

## Based on

- [terrariumtribe.com/bioactive-terrarium](https://terrariumtribe.com/bioactive-terrarium/)
- [terrariumtribe.com/isopods-and-springtails](https://terrariumtribe.com/isopods-and-springtails/)

[Open this jar in the simulator](https://glassjar.garden/?starter=bioactive_tank)

[Bottle garden](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/bottle-garden/) · [Paludarium lite](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/paludarium-lite/) · [All starter jars](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/)