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How to Make a Miniature Water Cycle

The water cycle describes the movement of water throughout the planet's biosphere. Water evaporates or sublimates from bodies of water or ice and condenses in the atmosphere. This condensed water eventually falls back down to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow or other precipitation. The precipitated water eventually evaporates again and perpetuates the water cycle. A small scale model of the water cycle can be easily constructed with simple materials.

Things You'll Need

Rectangular glass fish tank
Glass or plastic fish tank divider
Glass panel (equal to or greater than the size of the fish tank)
Silicone sealant
Potting soil
Grass seeds

Instructions

- 1
  Select a 20 gallon or larger fish tank and a matching glass or plastic divider that is cut to approximately half the height of the tank. Measure the tank length and place the divider at one-third of the total tank length. Adhere the divider to the tank with a silicone sealant and allow it at least 24 hours to set.
- 2
  Put potting soil in the larger section of the fish tank. Create a gradual slope in the soil that lowers toward the divider -- align the bottom of the slope as close to the lip of the divider as possible without spilling over into the empty section of the tank.
- 3
  Sow the soil with grass seeds, being careful not to disturb the slope in the process. Keep the soil moist with occasional watering until the grass begins to grow and establish a root system, which may take several weeks.
- 4
  Fill the empty section of the tank with water -- fill it completely but do not allow water to spill over the lip of the divider.
- 5
  Coat the rim of the tank with water. Place a glass panel on top of the tank to seal off the system.

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