Introduce 5–10 springtails ( Folsomia candida ) and 2–3 red wiggler worms.

Add a 1-inch layer of gravel or sand to the bottom.

Nutrient-rich potting soil. Avoid heavy fertilizers, as you want slow, steady growth. 3. Choosing the Inhabitants

Light energy is captured by autotrophs (plants, algae) via photosynthesis. This energy passes to herbivores and then to decomposers, eventually leaving the system as heat. Because a sealed bottle exchanges negligible matter with the outside, energy input (light) is the primary driver.