---
title: Isopod habitat: a bioactive crew tank terrarium recipe
description: An easy sealed bioactive crew tank in a glass box of 11.2 L, with 2 plants and 1 moss. a small tank where the crew is the show Every layer, plant and moss,...
url: https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/isopod-habitat/
---

Starter jar · easy

# Isopod habitat
bioactive crew tank

easy · Sealed · Glass box

An easy sealed bioactive crew tank in a glass box of 11.2 L, with 2 plants and 1 moss.

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

## The container

- Glass: Glass box, 30 x 20 cm, 20 cm tall, 11.2 L

- Note: a small tank where the crew is the show

- Lid: Sealed

## Layers, bottom to top

- [LECA (expanded clay)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/leca/), 2 cm (1.12 L)
- [Substrate barrier mesh](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/mesh-barrier/)
- A mix of 40% [Topsoil](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/topsoil/), 30% [Coco coir](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/coco-coir/), 30% [Worm castings](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/worm-castings/), 7 cm (3.92 L)
- [Oak leaf litter](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/oak-leaves/), 1.5 cm (0.84 L)

## Stones and wood

- [Cork round](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/cork-round/), about 10 cm
- [Ghostwood](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/ghost-wood/), about 12 cm

## Plants

- [Pothos](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/epipremnum-aureum/)
- [Mini spider plant](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/chlorophytum-comosum-mini/)

## Moss

- [Baby tooth moss](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/plagiomnium-cuspidatum/), about 20% cover

## Cleanup crew

- 12 [Dairy cow isopod](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/porcellio-laevis/)
- 8 [Common pill bug](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/armadillidium-vulgare/)
- 150 [Temperate white springtail](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/folsomia-candida/)
- 30 [White worm / potworm](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/enchytraeus-albidus/)

## Water and light

- Water at build: 1390 ml, distilled or rain

- Watering: mist only when no morning condensation

- Light: 3,000 lux, 12 h a day

- Light source: bright room

## How to make it

- Pour the layers, bottom to top: LECA (expanded clay) (2 cm), Substrate barrier mesh, a mix of 40% topsoil, 30% coco coir, 30% worm castings (7 cm), Oak leaf litter (1.5 cm).
- Set the hardscape: Cork round, Ghostwood.
- Plant Pothos, Mini spider plant.
- Lay the moss: Baby tooth moss over about 20% of the ground.
- Add the cleanup crew: 12 Dairy cow isopod, 8 Common pill bug, 150 Temperate white springtail, 30 White worm / potworm.
- Water with 1390 ml (distilled or rain).
- Close the lid and give it 3,000 lux, 12 h a day: bright room.

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

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