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CHOKING HAZARD -- WARNING: KEEP AWAY FROM ALL CHILDREN. Do not put in mouth or nose. This product contains small magnets. Swallowed magnets can stick together across intestines causing serious infections and death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are swallowed or inhaled. CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs. |
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Product Description
Amazon.com
Product Description
The Inside Story of the EcoSphere
The Original EcoSphere is the world's first totally enclosed ecosystem - a complete, self-contained and self-sustaining miniature world encased in glass. Be wary of inferior and lower quality imitations. Easy to care for, an EcoSphere is an incredible learning tool that can provide powerful insights about life on our own planet... and provide a glimpse of technology that's shaping the future of space exploration.
The Original EcoSphere is the world's first totally enclosed ecosystem - a complete, self-contained and self-sustaining miniature world encased in glass. Be wary of inferior and lower quality imitations. Easy to care for, an EcoSphere is an incredible learning tool that can provide powerful insights about life on our own planet... and provide a glimpse of technology that's shaping the future of space exploration.
Inside each EcoSphere are active micro-organisms, small shrimp, algae and bacteria, each existing in filtered sea water. Because the EcoSphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, you never have to feed the life within. Simply provide your EcoSphere with a source of indirect natural or artificial light and enjoy this aesthetic blend of art and science, beauty and balance. Because the living organisms within the EcoSphere utilize their resources without overpopulating or contaminating their environment, the EcoSphere requires virtually no maintenance.
But an Ecosphere is much more than a scientific breakthrough - it is a work of art. A living treasure to own or give to someone special. Each EcoSphere is carefully crafted to achieve an aesthetic, meditative beauty that can soothe any environment, including home, classroom or office. Our ecosystems demonstrate in a most simplistic way the interdependence of animal and plant life with Earth's most precious element - water. The EcoSpheres have been called science projects, the world's lowest maintenance pets, or closed aquariums. They are in fact developments of space age technology initiated by NASA.
Product Features
- Hand blown glass
- No maintenance required
- Contains live marine shrimp
- Requires no feeding or water changes
- Average life span of 2 to 3 years
Sizes
- Small Sphere 4" diameter, contains 3 to 4 shrimp, 6 month replacement policy
- Small Pod 5.25" tall, contains 3 to 4 shrimp, 6 month replacement policy
- Small Water Drop 5.5" tall, contains 3 to 4 shrimp, 6 month replacement policy
- Medium Sphere 5.25" diameter, contains 7 to 8 shrimp, 12 month replacement policy
- Large Pod 7.5" tall, contains 7 to 8 shrimp, 12 month replacement policy
- Large Water Drop 7" tall, contains 7 to 8 shrimp, 12 month replacement policy
- Large Sphere 6.5" diameter, contains 12 to 13 shrimp, 12 month replacement policy
- Extra Large Sphere 9" diameter, contains 30 to 35 shrimp, 12 month replacement policy
What is a Closed Ecosystem?
Closed ecological systems are ecosystems that do not rely on matter exchange with any part outside the system. Although the Earth itself fits this definition, the term is most often used to describe much smaller manmade ecosystems. Such systems are scientifically interesting and can potentially serve as a life support system during space flights, in space stations or space habitats. In a closed ecological system, any waste products produced by one species must be used by at least one other species.
How were EcoSpheres Invented?
The EcoSphere is the result of technology developed by two scientists, the late Dr. Joe Hansen and the late Dr. Clair Folsome at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. NASA was researching self-contained communities for space explorers to live in during long-term space flights. Out of this research came the EcoSphere. NASA had two programs that benefited from the discovery: Mission to Planet Earth, aimed at studying Earth's environment, and the Space Program. If NASA could figure out how to sustain life in a closed environment, perhaps they could build space stations that would help in exploring our solar system… and perhaps one day, help us live somewhere other than Earth.
What is in the EcoSphere?
Along with shrimp, there is algae and filtered sea water. The EcoSphere also contains a sea fan (the non-living, branch like material), decorative shells, and lightweight gravel as a part of the working ecosystem. The sea fan and gravel provide surface areas for the algae and microorganisms to grow.
How do EcoSpheres Work?
The EcoSphere is a tiny working model of the Earth. It contains the same essential elements that are found on our planet- air, water, life (algae, microorganisms and shrimp) and land (gravel and sea fan). Life functions in the EcoSphere just as it does on Earth. The shrimp live by consuming the algae and breathing oxygen in the water. If you watch them closely, you will see them feeding on the algae and picking bacteria off the sea fan and lightweight gravel in the EcoSphere. The byproduct of which is shrimp waste and carbon dioxide to be broken down by bacteria and converted into nutrients for the algae. The algae survives by converting the carbon dioxide and light into useable oxygen which the shrimp will then breathe. The shrimp can also eat their own shed exoskeletons. Nothing in the EcoSphere goes to waste. Thus the EcoSphere is a perfect model of a balanced ecosystem where all inhabitants provide for each other to sustain a living environment.
Do the Animals and Plants Reproduce?
Reproduction of shrimp does occur in some EcoSpheres, but this is uncommon. The shrimp that are in the EcoSphere have purposely been chosen because they do not exhibit aggressive behavior towards each other. The algae and bacteria in the EcoSphere continuously reproduce. In fact, as time goes by, you can expect changes in the algae population in your EcoSphere.
Guidelines for EcoSphere Care
As you gaze into your new EcoSphere, please take notice of the amount of green algae. This initial quantity of algae is the innoculant for the system. Algae growth is expected, but it should not grow too quickly. Keep your EcoSphere at a consistent temperature between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15C-25C). Temperatures above 85 degrees put excess stress on the shrimp, and temperatures below 60 slow down the metabolism of the shrimp. Do not let the temperature fluctuate erratically. Do not place your EcoSphere on televisions, stereo equipment, fireplace mantles, or near heating radiators and vents. The EcoSphere needs indirect light, from either an artificial source or sunlight, for 6-12 hours every day. DO NOT place your EcoSphere in direct sunlight. If you place your EcoSphere in a room where plants flourish, this will be too much light. These systems do very well with low light levels. Light causes the algae to grow rapidly, which will change the chemical balance of the sphere and the shrimp will perish. If the algae begins to grow considerably, lower the light by shading the sphere or putting it in a darker area. If you notice that the algae is greatly reduced, you can increase the light level. Do not shake, drop, or otherwise treat the EcoSphere roughly. Remember it is someone's home.
Cleaning Your EcoSphere
From time to time you may wish to clean any film that may have formed on the inside of the glass. Some of the micro-organisms, which are of nutritional value to the shrimp, are capable of creating a thin film on the inside of the glass. This film is not harmful to the system. To make cleaning your Ecosphere easy, we have installed a magnet on the inside of the unit and supplied another attached to your EcoSphere handbook. To clean the EcoSphere, simply take the handbook magnet and bring it near the gravel at the bottom of the EcoSphere to attract the magnet on the inside of the EcoSphere. Once you have the magnets attracted to each other, proceed to drag the magnets across the surface of the Ecosphere in a light scrubbing motion to remove any excess film on the inside of the Ecosphere. It is not necessary to clean the entire surface at one time. If you lose your outside magnet, any refrigerator magnet will do. You will not harm the unit by moving it as you clean it.
How Long will the EcoSphere Live?
The average life of an EcoSphere is between 2 and 3 years. The life expectancy of these shrimp is known to exceed 5 years, and the oldest EcoSpheres are now over 10 years old and still going strong. While we know that the life expectancy of these shrimp can exceed 5 years, we have no way of knowing how old each shrimp is as it is put in an EcoSphere. All things considered, an EcoSphere may last many years or not depending on the age of the shrimp and the environment in which it is kept.
Why do I See Condensation Inside?
Condensation forms on the inside of the glass periodically. If it is warmer inside the EcoSphere than outside, water will condense on the cooler walls of the EcoSphere. Sometimes, excessive condensation can give the illusion of a change in the water level.
What if One or More of the Shrimp Die?
Since the age of each shrimp is not known, it is not unusual for some of the shrimp in the EcoSphere to perish. If the shrimp die all at once, this is a clear indication that the temperature limits were exceeded. If they die over a period of time, they are probably meeting their normal life expectancy. As long as there is one shrimp alive in the system, it is a functional ecosystem. The pale translucent shrimp-like bodies you may see lying on the bottom now and then are not dead shrimp, but exoskeletons. Shrimp are crustaceans. This means that they have their skeletons on the outside rather than on the inside. As the shrimp grows, it replaces it from time to time. After the old exoskeleton has been shed, the new one expands and hardens. It has been observed that a shrimp may molt once or twice a month in a normal environment. If a shrimp dies, the others will eat it, quickly returning the nutrients back to the system. The bacteria in the EcoSphere will also help decompose it within a day or so.
Replace, Recharge and Upgrade Policy
EcoSphere Replacement Policy
Each EcoSphere comes with a Replacement Policy. The replacement policy period will start from the original issue date of your original EcoSphere. No Replacement Policy exists on Replaced or Recharged EcoSpheres, or EcoSpheres that have been transported to international locations. Should all the shrimp die for any reason during the Replacement Policy period, Ecosphere Associates, Inc. will replace the unit promptly. The Small Sphere, Small Pod, and Small Water drop have a 6 month Replacement Policy. All larger EcoSpheres have a 12 month Replacement Policy. This Policy requires the customer to pay all shipping charges. EcoSphere Associates, Inc. agrees to replace your EcoSphere any time within the replacement policy period should less than one (1) shrimp remain alive. No warranty, implied or otherwise, shall exist on the EcoSphere. No replacement will be made where the glass is cracked or broken, or where the temperature or light limits have been exceeded. Each EcoSphere is housed in a hand-blown glass vessel and variations in clarity, smoothness, size, and shape are to be expected. EcoSphere Associates, Inc. will honor replacement only upon receipt of the unbroken and otherwise undamaged failed EcoSphere system.
EcoSphere Recharge Policy
If your EcoSphere has passed the Replacement Policy period and all the shrimp have perished, you can have your EcoSphere recharged. No Replacement Policy exists on Recharged EcoSpheres. Please return the old EcoSphere to our office along with the Recharge cost. EcoSphere Associates, Inc. will Recharge your EcoSphere only upon receipt of the failed system.
EcoSphere Upgrade Policy
You also have the option to upgrade your EcoSphere to a larger size.
EcoSphere History
July 15th, 1982
Joe Hanson of Jet Propulsions Labs in Pasadena holds a workshop for the newly created study of "Closed Ecosystems." This is where the "EcoSphere" was created. Attending the workshop were several renowned ecologists and biologists who had for many years been running tests with closed biological ecosystems. As a new class of science Closed Ecosystem research created as many questions as it answered. It was Joe Hanson who, at the time was working on the first Space Shuttle program at JPL, realized the potential scientific implications of closed ecosystems to applications for human space exploration.
The history leading up to the development of the EcoSphere dates back to the mid '60s. In the early '80s scientists were looking into examples or corollaries where "open," balanced ecological systems were similar to closed ecosystems. This led to the possibility that these studies where animal and plant life could be used to sustain humans in space exploration.
Pioneered by Clair Folsom of the University of Washington research in the '60s and then jointly with Joe Hansen of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in the early '80s, along with other top bio-scientists, it was discovered that diverse colonies of microbes, alga's, and higher life forms (colonies) could persist apparently indefinitely in closed lab beakers. Hundreds of various closed "EcoSpheres" where made in laboratory flasks by Hanson, Folsom, and others; each became its own ecosystem for further study.
In 1983 Loren Acker, President of Engineering and Research Associates, Inc. (a small Arizona based medical research company and long associate with the U.S. space program was visiting a NASA official and noticed one of the flasks Joe Hansen had created. Interested in the idea, Acker obtained a NASA Spin-Off Technology license for the EcoSphere. Along with a young employee, Daniel Harmony, they developed the first pilot manufacturing facility for EcoSpheres where the public and educators could directly benefit from NASA's works.
After the overwhelming success of a 1984 marketing campaign the EcoSphere was put into full production. The EcoSphere was marketed throughout the US in high-end national catalogs.
The original EcoSphere has been featured in many TV news articles, magazines, and even included in school textbooks. From kids to Presidents the EcoSphere has been a favorite gift for over 25 years and still being enjoyed today.
Today the EcoSphere is a family run company where Daniel, his wife Michel, and their family successfully operate Ecosphere Associates, Inc. in Tucson AZ. From the startup in a small office complex Ecosphere Associates, Inc. has grown to a highly successful global company with manufacturing partners worldwide.
Initially the handcrafted EcoSphere was produced in only one size. Over the years various other sizes were created and in 1987 even museum sized Exhibition EcoSpheres were added to the line.
Today, still handcrafted, the EcoSphere is offered from a 4 inch sphere up to the Exhibition sized 39 inch 500 liter! So far almost 1 million EcoSpheres have been sold worldwide.
Product Description
Customer Reviews
The same results obviously cannot be guaranteed, but the one I bought has been well worth every penny and shows no signs of stopping -- so it is obviously possible. Very cool product...
**UPDATE: It's now a year and a half after I wrote the initial review and the shrimp is still kickin'... so that is now 13.5 years that it's been going strong. Not too bad.
Original review:
I received one of these as a gift about three years ago. I am a hard core believer in "research what you must care for" as once you take a living thing in and state "I shall care for it" you are responsible for a life. Or several, in this case. Rather quickly, I learned that these shrimp are "Halocaridina rubra" AKA "Opae Ula" AKA "Hawaiian Red Shrimp". They are found in small wild pools in the lava rock all over Hawaii. Rather disturbingly, their habitat has been reduced by roughly 90%! Yet people still continue to collect them from the wild. As of now, I have yet to hear a confirmation that the Ecosphere company is, in fact, captive breeding these creatures. If they are, in fact, wild catching these, even from a pool on their own property that they help to maintain, this may have a rather strenuous impact on what is left of the population of these shrimp, given the number of these spheres and "BYOES" they ship out annually.
The sad fact is that the only people truly giving a representation on the current quantity of these available in the wild are the people who are catching them in order to sell to the general public--and of course, it is in their best interest to state that they are plentiful in the wild, as their livelihood depends on it. Granted, this is pure extrapolation, but I think it is, at the very least, a point worthy of consideration before you purchase one of these kits.
These shrimp are slow breeders with small clutch sizes, and a rather high "infant mortality" so to speak. In short, they are a species which much be protected when possible, and encouraged to breed-be it in captivity or in the wild, in the hopes of creating a sustainable population that our children and our children's children will be able to enjoy.
Keep in mind when purchasing an ecosphere that, regardless of all other facts, the very limited environment dramatically discourages breeding and prevents perpetuation of a species that is currently undetermined in status.
Now, skipping the biology and ecology lesson, and on to the ecosphere itself.... As I studied the limited literature and information available on these shrimp, I learned that although there is the odd ecosphere which reaches just that right balance of diatoms, algae, bacteria, shrimp, etc., the vast majority are nutrient starved, and the ecology inside of them, at the microscopic level, becomes damaged and even destroyed. Then you are left with a couple of shrimp that are incredibly hardy, attempting to live in water that is high in ammonia, nitrites, and/or nitrates, with little to no oxygen for breathing, and eating forms of algae that are in fact, not at all nutritious for them. Because these insignificant seeming little creatures have adapted to such an incredible fluctuation of natural habitat in the wild, they are able to withstand starvation for months and even years.
Look at it this way: The average Opae Ula shrimp life span is roughly ten years, with some living upward of 20. Ecosphere happily informs you in the informative brochure that if you take care of them well (ie: set them in the appropriate light and temperature) they will average a whole 2-3 years! So.....1/3rd of their expected lifespan......
Not so good, in all honesty.
The instructions then go on to explain that on occasion customers excitedly announce their shrimp going 8-20+ years. Which really, that's fantastic! But this is the exception, not the rule.
These shrimp are, slowly but surely, starving inside of these closed systems. If the correct bacteria and algae do not grow (and often they do not) then these poor little creatures will shrink a small bit each time they moult their exoskeleton. According to several sources I have read, they will, in fact, consume themselves at a very slow and painful rate.
Again, not to say that some spheres will not survive 20 years plus ND prove this wrong, but, sadly, the vast majority of spheres are going to slowly decline, taking the living denizens inside down with it.
All of this said, I received my little ecosphere, containing four opae ula shrimp, and I chose to believe that I would balance the lighting and the temperature perfectly, since I honestly couldn't figure out how to get the shrimp out. Fast forward two years, and my first shrimp dies. What a wake up call. I felt terrible. All the shrimp were on the small side when I received them, as I had been hoping for closer to the ten year mark from these fellas. I immediately got online once more and researched all that I could. This time I learned how to remove the plug, and so I did. The three remaining shrimp were decanted carefully into a 2.5 gallon cube aquarium that was carefully balanced to match the specific gravity of the water inside the sphere, with a small airstone and an LED light. I will state that when I tested the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate of the water inside of the previously sealed sphere, I was absolutely appalled. I have zebra danios that couldn't have lasted an hour in that water.
In any even, I started off with only the water from the ecosphere, and daily added about half an ounce of the newly mixed sea water, in an attempt to not shock these delicate little creatures. Now that everyone is happily adjusted, I can monitor the amount of food available, do roughly one 50% water change a year, and care for these fascinating little animals interactively, rather than passively. I can respond to their needs and keep a close eye on the quality of their water, and thus, their life. Low and behold, my three shrimp have become roughly ten shrimp in less than a year (exact counts are tough, as they now have many hiding places and I am never sure that some aren't tucked away and hiding! Far more natural and comforting to them than complete exposure as they are subjected to in the spheres!). In fact, I am almost certain that those little reddish jiggy looking things that I noticed in the tank yesterday are, (I hope), more larvae.
Please, I encourage potential owners of ecospheres to research these shrimp and learn what you can before you purchase. If you still choose to purchase them, fine! But please, do make an informed decision.
In all honesty, I have to seriously wonder about the honesty of any company that simply states that they are giving you "ocean shrimp" and does not provide you with a latin species name to look up information and a natural history on the organism. Particularly when it is a company that claims to be encouraging an awareness of ecology, who is selling a species that is so vulnerable in the wild as these little fellows. If they were truly a company encouraging the thoughtful preservation of our ecology, it seems to me as though they would be attempting to inform new owners of as many facts as possible about their new pets; not hide what they are to prevent you from purchasing them cheaper elsewhere. (or whatever reason they have for not telling you exactly what kind of shrimp they are).
I wish potential owners the best of luck with their fascinating new aquatic denizens, regardless of how you choose to get your hands on them and welcome them into your home, and I sincerely hope you give these thoughts some consideration.
Cheers, and happy shrimping!
Honestly, for the price, I was expecting something larger. If nothing more than just a larger sphere with more water to make it feel more substantial. It is approximately the size of a softball. I will try to update the review after I have had it a few weeks. My plan is to keep it on my office desk. I can't seem to keep a plant alive. Hopefully, I have better luck with this.
I didn't see it posted anywhere before purchasing, but be warned. You have to get overnight shipping. Obviously, they want to make sure it isn't sitting in some delivery truck in the hot/cold for an extended period of time. For me that added $20 to the price. Basically, my gift card ended up paying for shipping.
Much better than having a pet goldfish
Price is a little too much but it is a cool thing to... Read more
Would buy another to keep at work...
My cat wants to play with it ha-ha....... Read more
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