Place in indirect light (12–14 hours/day). Avoid direct sun (overheating).
Dead leaves and animal waste do not rot—they become fertilizer. Springtails (tiny bugs) and bacteria act as the cleanup crew, recycling detritus into soil nutrients. Bottle Biosphere Guide
| Symptom | Cause | Solution | |---------|-------|----------| | Cloudy water | Bacterial bloom | Wait 1–2 weeks — usually clears naturally | | Mold on soil | Too humid, low springtails | Open for 1 hour to reduce moisture; add springtails | | Yellowing plants | Insufficient light or nutrients | Move to brighter indirect light; ensure decomposition is active | | Algae overgrowth | Excess nutrients or light | Reduce light duration; add more snails | | Foul smell (rotten eggs) | Anaerobic bacteria | — system failing; restart with less organic matter | Place in indirect light (12–14 hours/day)
However, observe these signs: