How To Make A No Filter 3 Gallon Fish Bowl Aquarium (No Filter No Ferts No Co2 No Heater Aquascape)

Рет қаралды 1,207,777

4 жыл бұрын

1st Job MD'ers is to like the video. It helps more than you know!
...And maybe buy some merch in the banner below if you want to support the channel :)
FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: / md_fishtanks
For business enquiries: sivadcram@gmail.com
PATREON: if you want to support future builds or possible help fund a bigger studio to make more videos, then you can here: / mdfishtanks
1st job...please like the video :)
Is there anything you would change/add. Let me know below. Most liked or common comment will happen!
You can buy the bowl here:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2PUKXsD
Amazon.com: amzn.to/2M4FwFO
Gooseneck Clip on lamp (similar as product is now discontinued)
Amazon UK amzn.to/2LNat13
Amazon. com amzn.to/2IlwLVA
I think most of you know what happened to the first attempt at this haha. I dropped a drill on the bowl mk1 and it blew out the front of the glass...whoops. That will not be happening this time!
The fish are young right now. If they get to big for the bowl I will remove them a replace.
Really enjoyed making this one and looking forward to seeing it mature.
#plantedtank #aquascape #nanotank

Пікірлер: 994

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

1st job...please like the video :) ...And maybe buy some merch in the banner above if you want to support the channel :) Is there anything you would change/add. Let me know below. Most liked or common comment will happen! I think most of you know what happened to the first attempt at this haha. I dropped a drill on the bowl mk1 and it blew out the front of the glass...whoops. That will not be happening this time! The fish are young right now. If they get to big for the bowl I will remove them a replace Really enjoyed making this one and looking forward to seeing it mature. #plantedtank #aquascape #nanotank

@dwcroyals 4 жыл бұрын

This looks fantastic what is the variety of limnophila is your favourite? Really pile how it looks.

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

@@dwcroyals limnophila sessiliflora. But there isnt any in this scape. I've gone for smaller textures and slower growers.

@user-vf1hq9mj7i 4 жыл бұрын

AMAZING

@martisl9652 4 жыл бұрын

I wouldnt change a thing :D

@FrameNature 4 жыл бұрын

I would change them fake plants for real ones! Ha! Joke's aside, really nice little project this.

@dineshkrishnan4029 4 жыл бұрын

Record a 10 hour version with fish moving around and calming music. You'll get incredible views.

@yolk5001 4 жыл бұрын

I'd rather hear the original sounds then calming music. Would be great with sounds picked up right above the aquarium

@jimena2809 3 жыл бұрын

I’d keep this going on my tv all day

@dontalktomebye 3 жыл бұрын

I don’t mind watching it for hours 😍

@imotogoon9168 3 жыл бұрын

honestly that would pull in tons

@mahelalouis6521 3 жыл бұрын

Yea..🤩😻😻

@stevecasillas9008 3 жыл бұрын

most youtubers try to act all pro, i like this man cuz he seems human

@sandraragole2679 2 жыл бұрын

👍👍🌬️🌊🏖️🐢🐢🦀🦀🦀🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟

@juliareichel9364 4 жыл бұрын

I've had such a rubbish day but watching this really cheered me up :) would love to set one of these up

@jcjc7373 4 жыл бұрын

That minor tank is simply stunning. Well done. This is as much natural art as it is an aquarium. Love it I think I am going to try one of these too. Thanks for the inspiration.

@jackingram8855 4 жыл бұрын

Love your videos! You inspired me to start keeping aquariums and I just finished setting up my first planted tank last night! I followed a lot of your tips and methods and I am super happy with the result! Keep on with the excellent work man!

@jessl1631 3 жыл бұрын

Would appreciate a video on how you check your water and care for the fish as there's no filtration etc

@bubbahusain8579 2 жыл бұрын

i have similar tank, i clean it every 3 days. or if i am lazy, once in a week

@shaneo6383 2 жыл бұрын

There's no manmade filtration, but those plants are going to do plenty of it. Medaka produces very little waste, is very hardy, and are omnivores so they'll take care of some of the algae too. probably a 30% change once a week at first then bimonthly, then maybe even monthly if stable.

@grahamhill8018 4 жыл бұрын

Wow, love it, love it, love it. It looks really natural. You are giving inspiration to others and showing just how far things have moved on from the days of a fish tank with some sand and a few plastic plants.

@maxine3587 4 жыл бұрын

I think this is my favourite so far. Its like a beautiful little bubble of nature. Truly lovely!

@reneer6629 4 жыл бұрын

I love watching you place your wood. You always seem to find the right spot. What a nice piece you have. Beautiful wood, such as yours, is hard to find. I haven’t come across any nice wood in a long time.

@salimgoal 4 жыл бұрын

Definitly deserve my like, I'm already in love with this bowl

@annalee7403 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. It came at just the right time. I found a lovely 10-gallon bowl at an art's fair, purchased it, brought it home and began wondering how to start with it.

@mrswiggles2012 4 жыл бұрын

i loved seeing the axolotl in the background

@MontgomeryChickenbottom 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah so cool

@tristanputhinier8359 3 жыл бұрын

Me too

@arnabio071 2 жыл бұрын

I started loving your art because it feels simple , I don't like complex aquascapes etc. Have a great journey ❤️

@MrPepper454 4 жыл бұрын

I have a stand next to my recliner I want to set up a small tank. The tank is great. Simple but visual pleasing. May have to try it.

@mrdehj309 4 жыл бұрын

I have just become fascinated with these ecoscapes as of late. After watching this, I'm giving it a go! Keep up the good work!

@UnquietSlumber 4 жыл бұрын

You are a teacher, I learn whenever I watch your videos. Many thanks!

@TinRoofVintage 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this step-by-step tutorial ... perfect size! I am so excited that this is something I can do right away. Beautiful bowl and choice of inhabitants. Peace and Blessings from Texas USA

@pseller4052 4 жыл бұрын

TinRoofVintage hey im in tx too! Where did you get everything from? Thanks in advance

@TinRoofVintage 4 жыл бұрын

@@pseller4052 - I go to Houston Aquarium Warehouse on Murphy Road in Stafford for supplies. I was lucky to find 2.5 and 1.5 gallon glass bowls at Goodwill and Salvation Army charities for $3.00. The Fish Gallery is great, though a bit pricey, however, will give you points and discount coupons for your next visit (6 months expiration date)! Good luck! P.S. Join "Low Tech Planted Tanks" group on Facebook.

@chrisjones8585 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic! A simple, yet beautiful, setup.

@marypaigeflynn4512 4 жыл бұрын

I just love it when I find videos I haven't seen.. it is been so cool to watch your journey.. I am setting me up a 3 gallon planted jar right now 😁👍🐟🌱🌿

@inquaanate2393 4 жыл бұрын

Algae: Its free real estate.

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

no algae in 4 months :)

@edensgate3770 4 жыл бұрын

@@MDFishTanks well shrimps can feed on it

@colinchong5990 4 жыл бұрын

I had a 25 gal planted tank with no filter or water change. I just top off water once in a while. No algae once the tank has matured and stabilized. It just takes time.

@dairyist 4 жыл бұрын

Colin Chong no water change? So no fish added until several months later?

@RacecarAndChill 3 жыл бұрын

How do I keep my unfiltered tank from growing algea?

@DeannaBlakeOgTgDq 4 жыл бұрын

Hi from Australia 👋. I can’t wait to see follow up videos of how this bowl ages. I literally want this in my home. Thank you

@cakeinspired1435 4 жыл бұрын

So beautiful! I have to make one for my grand-babies. Thank you so much for sharing.

@annajohannessen-adams4189 4 жыл бұрын

I love MD's videos..so inspiring...I have the big bowl ready to have a go at one of these...

@mountainlaurel5264 4 жыл бұрын

Ive only clicked on videos by you that were suggested and everytime I watch one its always solic content. You got my subscription!

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

nice. take a look at my latest video. It's a good one

@randomvideoz5760 4 жыл бұрын

I liked this one better than the earlier bowl aquascape.😊

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

good :)...progress

@Pandey_arpit 4 жыл бұрын

I am just stunned. Wanted something like this. Thank you

@pandaboipetsandmask392 4 жыл бұрын

Your work is never flawed! Love the videos 🖤

@barcelone1997 4 жыл бұрын

Have you tried using potting soil covered with a thin layer of gravel substrate? I find it works really well. Also, some nice rasbora brigitta would pop very well on the green, but overall looks very nice! How long did you wait between planting to add the fish?

@irferrari1 4 жыл бұрын

"12 quid I'd spend that..... ..... Wait I did spend that" HAHAHAHA

@vinniejudilla3921 4 жыл бұрын

Panchooooo😆 Marc man. You have a great touch with making your scapes look mature right away. Great work brother. Don't break this one. Hey George if you're watching. You just got served again😁 👍👍👍

@johnfloydman7735 4 жыл бұрын

I love the look of your bowl , very cool. I am thinking of having something like this in the living room to enjoy as my big aquarium is in the kitchen . Or maybe a small tank 👍✌️

@permanax_patb1472 4 жыл бұрын

Wow I have scaped two bowls exactly like that in the past month... neither of them turned out that spectacular!!! #skill

@Rohit_Sharma- 4 жыл бұрын

8:57 I thought his head was another kind of rock....😂😂

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

haha :D :D

@combiprimagrafika7606 4 жыл бұрын

wkwkwkwk

@forestkim3588 4 жыл бұрын

It's a channel I watch so much these days. The plants are so fresh and the tank is clean without moss. I am really respectful.

@craig2766 2 жыл бұрын

You are like the Bob Ross of Fish tanks. Thank you for this.

@pau_ch 4 жыл бұрын

Loved the fish bowl aquarium. Also, your eyes... i mean your eyelashes 😍

@jordanbui6313 3 жыл бұрын

His eyes are delicious looking, I mean what?

@alinemattos6302 4 жыл бұрын

I just loooved Pancho photobombing the whole video 😍

@michellesthill646 4 жыл бұрын

I'm a Brit and living in Vancouver, Canada and just came across your channel. 'fish that can live in bowls' was my search. Love this and also just how real you are, and funny too! I'll watch a few more before I venture out to get supplies. Oh yeah, Covid-19 means I'm house bound - so I should probably watch a lot!

@cylefrench9541 3 жыл бұрын

MD you have a reserved spot in heaven by far my favorite aqua scaping channel

@liveforextrading7917 4 жыл бұрын

8:14 that's a great tip I learned... . I just realised why my plants are pulling up. Thanks a lot

@hilltoptanks2975 4 жыл бұрын

Love it just the way it is, really natural

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

thank you :)

@hilltoptanks2975 4 жыл бұрын

Don’t know if you have already but I’d like if you subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already. Could really do with the numbers in my KZfaq infancy lol

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

@@hilltoptanks2975 done. :)

@hilltoptanks2975 4 жыл бұрын

Ah your a legend thank you

@brookebiddle6199 Жыл бұрын

Man watching his older videos compared to his newer ones he has came so far with his channel he can create great content then and now but it’s just fun to watch how he’s grown

@nathanlancaster5918 2 жыл бұрын

I have been watching your channel for about 1 month now and you have got me hooked big time! Great videos with lots of useful information. I can't wait to do a mini bowl scape next.

@spencerbray2054 4 жыл бұрын

Another great video! Completely changed how I look at ordinary bowls in a store. Annoys the girlfriend though because she's like "what a great fruit bowl!" and im like "....aquarium?" hahaha

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

Haha. Anything glass I'm like "aquarium"??

@julesbartl9431 4 жыл бұрын

Lol, same. Just found myself eyeing up the big pickle jar at the local chippy. :D

@DixieGirl9876 4 жыл бұрын

Love it! I have two bowls like that with filters and such with Betta fish, not as heavily planted, I also have pothos and prayer plant cuttings growing out of the top. I'd like to try this method soon. Thanks for the inspiration.

@yosunevelazco9593 2 жыл бұрын

With many beta fish or just one? Do they fight eachother?

@DixieGirl9876 2 жыл бұрын

@@yosunevelazco9593 Just one male in each bowl otherwise they will fight.

@KenDo_creation 4 жыл бұрын

Keep inspiring us all. You are great. Good explanations for us to understand. Thanks

@matthewtojo 4 жыл бұрын

You are Genius In making of Simple Aquascaping Like This !

@andrewmcmurdo3590 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job,thought fish with colour might set it off even nicer

@rosshale4058 4 жыл бұрын

Think some nice colourful endlers would look nice in the bowl, nice build 👍

@herahagstoz6934 4 жыл бұрын

The way you placed your rocks (btw I have the same grey rock with a white quartz stripe, so much for being something unique lol) makes them seem like either three friends hanging out or neighbors talking over a back fence. Lol. Beautiful tank!

@LifeSimulator_ 4 жыл бұрын

I love your enthusiasm and the endless knowledge you have on the topic. I'll be setting up my own on of these very soon :)

@lizbradbury5652 4 жыл бұрын

Yay my favourite wolly .... I know you will remember this lol .... Love this video gonna try this myself fingers crossed it will look as good as yours...X

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

Haha. Of course it will 😁

@marcusmaracus 4 жыл бұрын

Inspirational as usual.. great to see your trial and errors left in the vid, we've all been there :)

@lelew2308 4 жыл бұрын

Idk why someone would thumbs down this vid. This was very informative! Your step by step instructions anyone can follow. Tfs

@paulhumphreys5764 4 жыл бұрын

Another fantastic little scape. Really inspirational. Love your delivery on the videos too. Never to serious and you can laugh at yourself. Nice work 👍🏻👍🏻

@carriann5738 4 жыл бұрын

I’m in the middle of doing one of these . Also got 5 shrimp tanks and one community tank to . Brilliant channel to 🥰

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

Sounds good. Videos? Insta?

@carriann5738 4 жыл бұрын

MD Fish Tanks . No nothing atm my father do say I should do a u tube or insta

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

@@carriann5738 then what are you waiting for :)

@francescodrago3022 4 жыл бұрын

I could litterally fall in love with you...Your aquariums are fantastic, so beatiful and magical... You must have a really strong sensibility...I'm totally captured...(You're also very handsome)

@MEME-fg5xl 4 жыл бұрын

Nothing better after a long day, cheers Marc

@bipolardad850 4 жыл бұрын

Your style of talking and showing are so natural and fun that it was an instant subscribe for me. I've seen other aquascaping videos, and they all seem so pompous and full of themselves, where you just seem to love the craft and joy you get out of it. I have a 5 gallon Top Flite kit with plastic plants, and it's just an eyesore, but I never thought I could get into a planted tank without buying a lot of equipment. I am going to buy a small bowl and have a go at the no filter, no co2, etc, and if I succeed in getting plants to grow, then I'll add some small livestock like shrimp to see if I can maintain the balance. After that, if I'm successful, I'll try to start converting my plastic plants to real ones. Anyway, if you've read this much, thanks :) I love your work.

@user-zn5jt4kz1x 4 жыл бұрын

Just imagine in space seeing a planet that is all sea, no land and when you land in the planet, you dive down to see this beautiful scenery.

@sansotandrea4063 4 жыл бұрын

that's why i loved the subnautica game, it's just that (and amazing lore)

@user-zn5jt4kz1x 4 жыл бұрын

@@sansotandrea4063 Thanks!

@CarmenxSullivan 4 жыл бұрын

If you haven't already I would definatley recommend going snorkeling or diving, our planet is gorgeous 😁 once this pandemic is over visit a Pacific island like Rarotonga or Fiji for some absolutely stunning underwater scenery.

@chefsab8481 3 жыл бұрын

really love this project, would you mind making a list of items to buy to recreate this?

@agentshawnee 3 жыл бұрын

Watching these is such a vibe. Thank you for the chillax aquarium education.

@jamesn7156 3 жыл бұрын

I’m on month 3 of a heavily planted 3 gallon fish bowl. Lots of snails that hitched a ride with the plants I bought. I haven’t changed the water. I only add a little when the level dries up. Bought 5 minnows 2 months ago. 4 died in the first few weeks, but the remaining 1 is thriving, self-sustained.

@honeybun12001 4 жыл бұрын

Poor George...his bowl didn’t stand a chance 😂

@katieharten8667 4 жыл бұрын

Such a beautiful, simple, setup. Finding the balance between plants, substrate, lighting and fauna is key; I have several bowls with a very similar setup that have been going strong for more than a decade... it can be done :) Best practice involves observing closely and responding sensitively. Thank you for steering online aquascaping content away from a reliance on high tech setups... your work is both stunning and diverse.

@lugwrench9832 3 жыл бұрын

I have a bowl about that size, and now I'm inspired. Thanks !

@RyanDahn 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome bowl! Thanks for showing the process.

@leevandyke4562 4 жыл бұрын

I hope mine looks that good lol but im doing a dirt tank... probably not the best idea but itll have sand capping the soil and hairgrass from seed all over the front

@helz70 4 жыл бұрын

Are you going to do some after video for this round bowl, how it’s going after few months ? Also the care that is needed

@mermaidpia2020 3 жыл бұрын

yes i would be curious to know how the fish are doing & what the water looks like 🤔

@ImYurHuckleberry 4 жыл бұрын

That was so beautiful I actually cried. 👏👏👏

@trenerprzygotowaniamotoryczne 4 жыл бұрын

I like it more than previous one. Good job! : )

@sinfullgirl 4 жыл бұрын

"And now lets put our wood in....hehe" 😏

@terrirodriguez8929 3 жыл бұрын

Yip. I caught that too. Smooth recovery.

@marcosaurus80 4 жыл бұрын

It looks amazing! Which is the maintenance required? How long it is supposed to last? Do you have to change everything after one year because the soil is out of nutrients?

@butterfliesarecoolfightcps645 3 жыл бұрын

Good questions

@marcosaurus80 3 жыл бұрын

@MyName Here ahahah are you serious? I thought it...but the video saus different.

@mry4354 3 жыл бұрын

I love this... its really caught my attention lately so I've decided to create my own

@vanburn777 4 жыл бұрын

Love your work. I am gonna try this for the very first time.

@Fabinho9999 4 жыл бұрын

How do you maintain the tank? If I kept a betta in that size aquaium would I need to clean the substrate?

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

No. The substrate is "cleaned" by the plants.

@modhardik 4 жыл бұрын

Hey MD, you have inspired me to go for fish bowl ecosystem as a starter. This will be my first one. Could you tell me the hours of the light required to be kept on in 24 hours? I heard excessive light causes algae growth. I will be going soon to the store to buy some stuff.

@oliverrussell8477 4 жыл бұрын

I watch every single one of your uploads but this hands down the greatest one you’ve ever done

@greencityaquatics851 4 жыл бұрын

i love the plants around the outside... even better than the first! keep it up.

@ashlynwanderer2107 4 жыл бұрын

8:55 bud, ONE pot of 1-2 grow dwarf hairgrasss costs 12 bucks at my LFS.

@thiagocrisanti9897 4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful job! How long was the cycling process? Do you test parameters like ph, nitrate and phosphate? Also, how about algae?

@maliecollins4872 4 жыл бұрын

I want to know this too, maintenance and such.

@dairyist 4 жыл бұрын

Malie Collins I’d like to hear his input as well!!

@AllieGarci 3 жыл бұрын

Fish bowl design came out so pretty! 🤍

@Lunaceus 2 жыл бұрын

After 2 years, im back here watching this! omg MD, you've reached quite far now ❤️

@2ShiftyEh 4 жыл бұрын

With your previous builds using the "magic substrate" (I know, not magic)... you were able to add fish right away. Now that you're using new tropic products, are you worried about cycling? Are you adding bacteria to these new builds?

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

not worried about cycling with small volume tanks as i can change lots of water very quickly and very often.

@yowgyrl 4 жыл бұрын

I like (love) all of your set ups so far, as I had mentioned on a previous video, I have converted 2 tanks so far into alternative aquariums. But I wonder, have you had any failures so far?

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

Not so far. I've had tanks not look great but you can always sort things.

@CrystalHempstock 3 жыл бұрын

Your videos are works of art.

@violahopsalot162 4 жыл бұрын

Just awesome looking. Love the bowl scapings

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

thank you

@marypoppins123 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Can someone please give details on maintenanc, cleaning and longevity please. I would like to try this am curious about maitenance

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

the tank maintains itself. Ive done two water changes in 2 months....that's it. All fish still thriving.

@MissJnet 4 жыл бұрын

MD Fish Tanks What about all the old food and fish poop, mine are goldfish they eat and poop a lot.

@breanna6257 4 жыл бұрын

@@MissJnet I don't believe that this is a sustainable habitat for goldfish, they require alot of space and filtration for all that poop and fish food.

@andykerr415 4 жыл бұрын

MD Fish Tanks love this aquarium, I've a bowl I've been looking to set up and this has given me inspiration! 2 questions; 1) you have no heater.. are they cold water fish? And 2) do you use any liquid CO2 in the tank for the plants?? Thanks 👍🏻

@kakouiisutairu 3 жыл бұрын

Andy Kerr I live in Japan and take care of rice fish. Since it’s 4 seasons and these fish live in the wild all year round, they are quite strong and survive in the winter! Many rice fish breeders here keep them outside in big pots even when it’s snowing out. Very hardy fish! But of course you can put a heater in there as well :-) hope that helped!

@Tobias611 4 жыл бұрын

This looks fabulous. So simple but so nice looking. So when can we buy the merch? And when do we get access to membership? WE WANT IT! Lol.

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

haha. It's something i need no look into...

@Aquagold.goldysingh1313 4 жыл бұрын

So beautiful setup....you have so much creativity...you always rock...you have so much passion to keep plants in good shape.thanks

@Monty7hePython 3 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this video. It was very relaxing watching the build and then getting to enjoy the nice shots with the music, very well done. I don't like it when people go through all this effort to show a build then only a few shots of the final product. Would love to see a full length video of what you did at the end, so relaxing. Cheers!

@isoaqua5825 4 жыл бұрын

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@umutk.6392 4 жыл бұрын

I made my first planted tank a month ago but i think i screwed up Soil under the sand comes up when bubbles go up so there is soil everywhere on top of the sand do you think i should rebuild it? Edit: I ended up buying more sand now it is better there is no soil escaping I also got some stones they look pretty cool Now only thing i need are shrimps lol

@MDFishTanks 4 жыл бұрын

It's up to you but I would always rescape if I wasnt happy. Good practice.

@umutk.6392 4 жыл бұрын

@@MDFishTanks i think i will do it I guess... lol

@pukamaroo 4 жыл бұрын

I just LOVE that tiny sort of cave that the driftwood made. I'd bet that would be a perfect idea for a female betta. Or a male with shorter fins, not sure if the driftwood would tear flowing fins. I know bettas really love wedging themselves into small crevices like that to sleep.

@miagrundy6209 4 жыл бұрын

This is such a gorgeous and simple design that I'd love to replicate one day. Thank you so much for your videos!! :)

@Nadia-bp3ju 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this awesome tutorial. I wanted to set a similar bowl, went to the store, guy/expert said if I put fish inside they will die within a couple of days since the water NEEDS to be filtered. Then I showed him your video on my smartphone and he meant "looks nice, but it won't work in real life". Now I'm confused, is he right or not?

@kylabaluyot3481 3 жыл бұрын

Waiting for this comment to be answered.

@zarifwork9063 3 жыл бұрын

i want to know too

@LulaMae21 2 жыл бұрын

I know this is an old comment, but plants actually filter better than the bacteria that a filter provides. There's an article by Diane Walstad about how plants uptake ammonia, nitrites and nitrates more efficiently than the bacteria. Generally, I find shop employees to be not very knowledgeable, and sometimes flat out wrong.

@Nadia-bp3ju 2 жыл бұрын

@@LulaMae21 Thanks a lot for reply! Eventually I did learning by doing and just set some plant in my bowl. Had to throw my experiment away after a couple of weeks only, the plants produced a lot of dirt and were really ugly to look at :-(