One Year Ago I Built an Ecosystem, This Happened

Summary

A year-long journey into creating a vibrant, self-sustaining rainforest ecosystem in a bedroom tank, this video documents the growth of plants, the evolution of animal populations, and the fascinating interactions between species. Starting with snails and shrimp, the tank eventually hosts vampire crabs, morning geckos, and various plants. Over time, the balance shifts, with cannibalism among the crabs and geckos cloning themselves. The story reflects nature's brutal yet beautiful cycles, showcasing how an initially simple project evolves into a complex, thriving ecosystem full of life, predation, and constant change.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The tank started as a simple summer project but evolved into a complex, self-sustaining ecosystem.
• 🐌 Tiny garden snails were the first animals introduced, marking the beginning of the ecosystem's development.
• 🌿 The tank’s plants grew over time, helping to create a more intricate and diverse environment.
• 💧 Springtails were introduced to thrive in the moist environment, contributing to the ecological balance.
• 🦐 Shrimp and Malaysian trumpet snails were added, with shrimp populations booming after a while.
• 🦀 Vampire crabs, introduced as apex predators, initially struggled to hunt the shrimp but became successful over time.
• 👀 The vampire crabs' glowing yellow eyes gave them a menacing look, adding to their predatory role in the tank.
• 🦎 Morning geckos were brought in to control the baby crab population, adding another layer to the food web.
• 🐦 The tank’s ecosystem saw cannibalism among the crabs, highlighting the harsh realities of nature.
• 🌧 The tank includes tropical rainstorms five times a day, creating a dynamic environment for the geckos and other species.
• 🦗 The tank's plants became homes to both the geckos and crabs, with bromeliads providing shelter and hiding spots.
• 👶 The morning geckos reproduced asexually, leading to the emergence of new geckos, and the tank's population grew.
• 🌿 The tank has reached a point of balance, with species coexisting and no single animal outcompeting the others.
• 🦀 Crabs have reached adulthood, showing significant changes in size and color, with some feeding on bloodworms.
• 📈 The ecosystem's evolution has been constant, with new growth and generations emerging daily, demonstrating the beauty of change in nature.

Q & A

What was the initial inspiration behind creating the 'Cannibal Jungle' tank?

The 'Cannibal Jungle' tank was originally a summer project. The creator wanted to build a custom, small rainforest ecosystem in their bedroom as a way to experiment with creating a self-sustaining environment.

How did the ecosystem evolve over time in terms of animal inhabitants?

The ecosystem started with basic species like tiny garden snails, followed by shrimp and Malaysian trumpet snails. Over time, the creator added more complex species such as vampire crabs, morning geckos, and later found that the geckos could clone themselves, further expanding the population.

What role did the vampire crabs play in the ecosystem?

The vampire crabs acted as apex predators in the tank, keeping the population of smaller creatures in check. They were initially introduced to manage the shrimp population but also contributed to the cannibalistic nature of the ecosystem, as they sometimes fed on their own kind.

How did the morning geckos adapt to the ecosystem?

The morning geckos took residence in the canopy of the tank and helped manage the population of baby crabs. They are social and cloned themselves, leading to an explosion in their population. Their adaptability to the environment allowed them to thrive in the tank.

What unexpected behavior did the vampire crabs display in the tank?

The vampire crabs displayed cannibalistic behavior, with some of the baby crabs eating their siblings. This highlighted the brutal side of nature within the tank’s ecosystem.

What is the significance of the bromeliads in the tank?

The bromeliads served as important hiding spots for both the crabs and geckos. These plants hold water in their leaves, creating small pools that provide shelter and security for the inhabitants, especially during heavy rainstorms.

How did the ecosystem reach a balanced state?

The ecosystem reached a balanced state after a year of evolution. The plants grew lush, and the different species found their niches. No species outcompeted the others, leading to a stable environment where the vampire crabs, geckos, snails, and other creatures coexisted.

Why was the creator concerned about the overpopulation of the vampire crabs?

The creator feared that the vampire crabs would overpopulate the tank, leading to too many predators and an imbalance in the ecosystem. This led to the introduction of morning geckos to control the crab population.

How did the creator manage the growing gecko population?

The creator managed the growing gecko population by building them a separate setup, as the tank was becoming overcrowded with geckos. The decision was made to give the geckos more space, preventing overcrowding and ensuring their continued well-being.

What is the creator's next project after the success of the 'Cannibal Jungle' tank?

After the success of the 'Cannibal Jungle' tank, the creator is working on a new 100-gallon paludarium and a saltwater ecosystem, along with a colony of wasps. They plan to create new videos documenting these upcoming projects.