How to Make a Self Sufficient Biodome
Get a suitable, see-through container, eg., A first, easy trial project could be done with an empty container left after eating a "rotisserie chicken" such as sold at grocery stores., In much of North America there are areas in the shade that are...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Get a suitable
a plastic bottle.
You can use any you like, but 3 liter (0.8 US gal) cider bottles would be better if you wanted a bigger biodome. -
Step 2: see-through container
The heavy, black plastic bottom has groves which add strength to the bottom shape.
The oval dome lid snaps tightly onto this bottom.
After enjoying the chicken, wash the container lid and bottom completely. (The big label sticker on the outside can be removed with a little Gumout or WD40).
In the bottom fill the deeper grooves with coarse sand or fine, washed pea gravel.
Add real soil scooped out of your backyard with a spoon, building up about 1 inch (2.5 cm), patted down.
Now, in your backyard or a city waste lot, find some small, low lying plants that are only a few inches high.
Wet the area around each such wild plant with a cup of water.
Then use a larger tablespoon to dig down and under the roots of the little plant you have watered, and gently lift it out.
Many common weeds that are mowed, burned over or stepped on are fine. 2 examples would be wild strawberry, ordinary grass, or plantain.
Even newly emergent seedlings, if they are small enough, will work.
Taking care to keep as much of the roots and soil around them as possible when you lift them out, place them into the layer of soil you have put into the bottom.
Now gather a few more such plants. , Even shingles on a roof often have moss on them that can be carefully scraped off.
So after adding some compost soil or topsoil put some moss on the top and arranged around the little plants as a top ground cover.
If the plants wilt a little at first, they will be fine when you water them if you have gotten most of the fine roots into the soil.
Now sprinkle water gently until the soil, moss and plants are well watered.
Your bottom plastic base will let excess water, and eventually the plant roots drain down into the deeper grooves. , Here you have to be careful no soil or plant parts are in the area you have to snap together.
When you have snapped the lid. on correctly it will be tight and snug. ,,, So, with a heated sewing needle (from a candle flame or match) you are now going to punch the hot needle through the upper sides of the dome roof in clusters of about 6
- 10 needle sized holes. #*Do this at each upper end, and the middle of each upper side.
This will allow some moisture to escape so that the entire dome doesn't cloud or "fog" up. (The needle holes will be too small for bugs to escape.) , Once sealed up, these little biodomes will not need more water added for many months, even most of a year. , Cut 3 sides of the door only, so that the door can be opened and closed as needed, and use a tab of mending tape to keep the lid closed.
For bugs, try to avoid earthworms.
Small beetles or crickets or sowbugs are fine.
Lacewings are good, and fruit flies will work too, if you can catch them. , Remember, you can also use a larger, fancy cake tray and dome that many grocery stores sell in the deli or bakery.
The main thing with a larger such deli dome, is that you need the black plastic bottom tray to have enough rigidity and grooves for the sand and excess water. , But, what the heck
- even if you have to eat the whole cake, it only weighs 3
- 4 pounds.
Invite someone to help you eat it. , Firm it down to help stop bacteria. , Consider putting in these plants:
Fruit producing plants Perennial plants, plants that don't need much water Self fertile plants Plants that produce a large amount of seeds. ,, , Then, leave the seedlings (you should have about 3 or 4 evenly spaced) until they have covered most of the compost. ,, If you want to be extra sure there are no gaps, put something like superglue around the joint.
The crickets or beetles will produce carbon dioxide that the plants will take in and give off oxygen as a by-product.
The crickets will breathe the oxygen and the cycle goes on.
The plants will be eaten slightly by the crickets, but, making sure they are fast growing, they will give the crickets or beetles the supply they need.
Of course, the plants will take in the water you gave them, and they will respire and the water will just evaporate and condense, and will give the give the crickets something to drink and the plant something to drink.
The crickets or beetles will get rid of the water one way or another, so it goes on.
The plants will get energy from the soil and light, the leaves will die off through time (replaced by new ones) and will rot into the soil, recycling nutrients and giving back the water that was retained in the leaves. -
Step 3: A first
-
Step 4: easy trial project could be done with an empty container left after eating a "rotisserie chicken" such as sold at grocery stores.
-
Step 5: In much of North America there are areas in the shade that are mossy.
-
Step 6: Snap the top of the rotisserie "dome" down onto the bottom base.
-
Step 7: If any plants or leafy parts are tight up against the very top or ceiling of the dome
-
Step 8: they are too tall
-
Step 9: and you may have to remove the top and redo after trimming them down a little.
-
Step 10: The last step is to regulate the moisture and condensation inside you airtight dome.
-
Step 11: You may notice that condensation forms almost right away
-
Step 12: especially if you place the dome in much sunlight.
-
Step 13: By regulating the amount of direct sun on the dome
-
Step 14: you can reach a balance of moisture and light that is right for the plants or grass.
-
Step 15: The secret to adding insects is tricky
-
Step 16: and best done by cutting a trap door into the roof of the dome with a razor blade or exacto knife.
-
Step 17: This will get back to the 3 liter (0.8 US gal) bottle
-
Step 18: in a bit
-
Step 19: if you want to try that.
-
Step 20: You might have to buy and enjoy a large frosted cake to get one
-
Step 21: but some stores will sell you just the container for your dome.
-
Step 22: Cut open the 3 liter (0.8 US gal) bottle
-
Step 23: and put some compost in.
-
Step 24: Put some seeds of your choice in.
-
Step 25: Make sure the plants come from the same part of the world.
-
Step 26: Avoid planting any of the following: Cacti (they don't regenerate fast enough for insects to eat) Carnivorous plants (you don't want your CO2 producers to be eaten) Poisonous plants (again
-
Step 27: you don't want to starve your CO2 producers because of the lack of edible food) Tall plants (what if they get too big?)
-
Step 28: Water the seeds
-
Step 29: and leave the top of the container off for a bit until the seeds germinate.
-
Step 30: Get some insects from a pet shop or garden centre (crickets and beetles will do fine) but avoid ants
-
Step 31: as they will have little to eat.
-
Step 32: Put about 4 crickets or beetles in the container
-
Step 33: water generously one last time
-
Step 34: then put your lid back on and seal it with cellotape
-
Step 35: making sure there are no holes.
Detailed Guide
a plastic bottle.
You can use any you like, but 3 liter (0.8 US gal) cider bottles would be better if you wanted a bigger biodome.
The heavy, black plastic bottom has groves which add strength to the bottom shape.
The oval dome lid snaps tightly onto this bottom.
After enjoying the chicken, wash the container lid and bottom completely. (The big label sticker on the outside can be removed with a little Gumout or WD40).
In the bottom fill the deeper grooves with coarse sand or fine, washed pea gravel.
Add real soil scooped out of your backyard with a spoon, building up about 1 inch (2.5 cm), patted down.
Now, in your backyard or a city waste lot, find some small, low lying plants that are only a few inches high.
Wet the area around each such wild plant with a cup of water.
Then use a larger tablespoon to dig down and under the roots of the little plant you have watered, and gently lift it out.
Many common weeds that are mowed, burned over or stepped on are fine. 2 examples would be wild strawberry, ordinary grass, or plantain.
Even newly emergent seedlings, if they are small enough, will work.
Taking care to keep as much of the roots and soil around them as possible when you lift them out, place them into the layer of soil you have put into the bottom.
Now gather a few more such plants. , Even shingles on a roof often have moss on them that can be carefully scraped off.
So after adding some compost soil or topsoil put some moss on the top and arranged around the little plants as a top ground cover.
If the plants wilt a little at first, they will be fine when you water them if you have gotten most of the fine roots into the soil.
Now sprinkle water gently until the soil, moss and plants are well watered.
Your bottom plastic base will let excess water, and eventually the plant roots drain down into the deeper grooves. , Here you have to be careful no soil or plant parts are in the area you have to snap together.
When you have snapped the lid. on correctly it will be tight and snug. ,,, So, with a heated sewing needle (from a candle flame or match) you are now going to punch the hot needle through the upper sides of the dome roof in clusters of about 6
- 10 needle sized holes. #*Do this at each upper end, and the middle of each upper side.
This will allow some moisture to escape so that the entire dome doesn't cloud or "fog" up. (The needle holes will be too small for bugs to escape.) , Once sealed up, these little biodomes will not need more water added for many months, even most of a year. , Cut 3 sides of the door only, so that the door can be opened and closed as needed, and use a tab of mending tape to keep the lid closed.
For bugs, try to avoid earthworms.
Small beetles or crickets or sowbugs are fine.
Lacewings are good, and fruit flies will work too, if you can catch them. , Remember, you can also use a larger, fancy cake tray and dome that many grocery stores sell in the deli or bakery.
The main thing with a larger such deli dome, is that you need the black plastic bottom tray to have enough rigidity and grooves for the sand and excess water. , But, what the heck
- even if you have to eat the whole cake, it only weighs 3
- 4 pounds.
Invite someone to help you eat it. , Firm it down to help stop bacteria. , Consider putting in these plants:
Fruit producing plants Perennial plants, plants that don't need much water Self fertile plants Plants that produce a large amount of seeds. ,, , Then, leave the seedlings (you should have about 3 or 4 evenly spaced) until they have covered most of the compost. ,, If you want to be extra sure there are no gaps, put something like superglue around the joint.
The crickets or beetles will produce carbon dioxide that the plants will take in and give off oxygen as a by-product.
The crickets will breathe the oxygen and the cycle goes on.
The plants will be eaten slightly by the crickets, but, making sure they are fast growing, they will give the crickets or beetles the supply they need.
Of course, the plants will take in the water you gave them, and they will respire and the water will just evaporate and condense, and will give the give the crickets something to drink and the plant something to drink.
The crickets or beetles will get rid of the water one way or another, so it goes on.
The plants will get energy from the soil and light, the leaves will die off through time (replaced by new ones) and will rot into the soil, recycling nutrients and giving back the water that was retained in the leaves.
About the Author
Evelyn Barnes
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in hobbies and beyond.
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