Blackwater Riparium for Blue Tetras in the IKEA Aquarium

A few weeks ago, I made tanks that will be part of the new animal room. All four of them will encapsulate various type of environments, such as this blackwater riparium. I want to consolidate a few of my tanks to make the move easier and many of those fish will do very well in a community aquarium, like this. Plus, they all prefer a blackwater system, so it only made sense to start with this one.
I figured while I was at it, I might as well turn it into a riparium (an aquarium that includes terrestrial/marginal plants above the water). I'm always looking to make things easier and lower maintenance and putting plants above the rim always helps with this. They filter the water very effectively, which can greatly spread out the need for water changes and other maintenance.
Anyway, I'll show more about this in a future video and I can't wait to share what's next. Stay tuned for that and enjoy the video!
Make a DIY IKEA Aquarium
• Making The Best and Ea...
Learn More in my Blog
www.serpadesign.com/blog
Follow SerpaDesign
Instagram - / serpadesign
TikTok - / serpadesign
Second Channel - / tannerserpa
00:00 Intro to Blackwater Setups
00:18 Addressing the Botanicals
02:50 The DIY IKEA Aquarium
03:15 Creating a Cork Bark Background
04:11 Accounting for Filtration
04:50 Adding the Substrates
05:36 Creating the Riparium Area
07:06 Adding the Botanicals
07:40 The Finishing Details
08:16 The Final Design
09:16 Adding the Blue Tetras
#aquarium #aquascape #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

I'm really excited about this one because, in a way, it's the first setup for the new animal room. It also allows me to start showing off the DIY tanks I built the other week. My vision with those is to showcase four completely different environments and I think this was a great place to start. I personally love the look of blackwater and ripariums, so the combination of both seemed like an obvious choice. I want to know what you think, though! Let me know in the comments and have a great weekend SerpaSquad!

[@noxxy4550]

great idea can’t wait to see what u do ! ^-^

[@unicornsandrainbows6676]

Will the tannins stain the glass?

[@hmfiona123]

@@unicornsandrainbows6676 I don't think so but maybe

[@leoisso7033]

It´s great as always. But I think it could need some moss on the bark that´s sticking out of the water.

[@maxt2534]

Love it, but I have those blue tetras and tried a 55g planted community tank with them and they are very very nippy

[@TheDrPlants]

It’s nice knowing that I’m not the only person who gets excited about dead leaves!

[@lordcyberagnawhat1269]

I love your content! I hope you update the Paludarium soon!

[@LongSockss]

Me too

[@Rammgirl]

Hi Dr. Plants! Love your ecosystem build video!

[@splashafrica]

Waiting for your next one... maybe something with frogs this time?

[@gardeninginthedesert]

I used to not like the blackwater tanks, it felt like they were just swimming around in dirty water. Now I see how relaxed the fish are, how much closer to their natural habitat it is and what an amazing atmosphere it creates. Love this one, can't wait to see it fully stocked.

[@sarahdee374]

when I remember back to my teen years and having a regular tank. Seems the goal was to keep it totally "antiseptic" and pristine. I cringe when I contrast this with a natural tank such as this one. This is beautiful and clearly what nature intended for fish in the wild.

[@lupe9249]

Look up👆👆

[@andrewmartin270]

@@sarahdee374u up l look LLC

[@parmerapps69]

I can relate with you when you say, "I know most people aren't going to get this excited about a dead leaf, but isn't that incredible?" 😅 To everyone out there whose family doesn't quite understand the hobby, and maybe even thinks you're a little peculiar or eccentric, just keep scaping! There's a community here, and even if some (well-meaning) people can't see what's so great about that clump of moss you can't take your eyes off of, there's a lot of fulfillment and beauty to be found in this hobby. ✌

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@rdred8693]

I see beauty in dead leaves, esp in the fall. I try to capture the colors with watercolors

[@b.c.9358]

Those blue tetras are a perfect fit for the black water tank. The tannins make the water orange, so when the fish scales catch the light the contrast makes them look even brighter blue. Great build as always.

[@lupe9249]

👆👆💨💨

[@tracybowling1156]

Moving is one of the most stressful things someone can do. Try to stay calm. Think about how exciting it will be when you're done. If your wife gets too stressed, support her feelings. And vice versa. You guys can do it. And just think about how much fun it'll be when it's done! ☺️

[@lupe9249]

He gat the best 🍄💨👆👆

[@ghomerhust]

i feel the excitement for that root and the banana leaves. so much texture and a huge difference in what you normally can get a hold of. loving this build

[@snekysneks]

That leaf was absolutely gorgeous. I feel sorry for the people who can't see that. These aren't sticks and leaves, they are our painter's pallet and brush. You can't make art without proper tools.

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@jazminespinoza7932]

I would absolutely love to see a brief video of the moving process (if feasible). I recently got into aquariums in part thanks to your channel but I have no idea how I should go about moving these tanks when I move next 😅

[@sickfoo5506]

Buckets with lids for your fish.. battery powered air stone.. and extra buckets of tank water

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@henryD9363]

Yes me too. Coincidentally on account of watching his video I have gotten a 120 gallon marine aquarium that I've have for about 6 months. There is a good chance that I'll move in the next month or so. So I'm very interested in seeing how that's done. Love the channel watch all the videos, some of them more than once.

[@darkmann12]

I appreciate the dedication to the build right before moving! It looks really good. Thanks for always putting in the effort you do!

[@lupe9249]

Look up👆👆

[@sarahwatts7152]

I love the fan shape with the palm-looking leaf, it really makes it for me

[@HomemadeEcosystems]

Can't wait to see all your tanks in your new place. Great build again!

[@lupe9249]

👆👆💨💨

[@vildhallon4709]

love the natural look of black water tanks and the bark + plants above the water line looks great and adds like a whole new dimension to the tank. absolutely a piece of art.

[@lupe9249]

👆👆👆

[@devanthomas3402]

I don't know why I'm so obsessed with all ur vids to the point I rewatch them when u don't post in time I just am.

[@speedwaymethadrine]

blackwater tanks are my absolute favourite these days - i didn't even know they existed before finding your channel! they look so natural and actually remind me of a pond near my childhood home :D

[@lupe9249]

He gat the best 🍄💨👆👆

[@willowthewisperer]

Tanner, I just wanna let you know, I am just as excited about a dead leaf THAT BIG. I LOVE massive plants; they make me feel so badass growing them and remind me that there's more to Earth than humans and that life will keep going even when we're gone. 🍄

[@Incandescentiron]

I really like this tank. The brownish water makes the trustor of plants that much more vibrant. Each ecosystem is visually distinct from each other.

[@viralasylum1427]

Just rewatching all of your older vids, and it’s so cute watching you get so overexcited about plants and botanicals!!! You have such a love for your craft, and it’s so inspiring. Makes my day each time I watch.

[@moonbasket]

I love this! My Betta loves his black water. It's a smaller setup and I use Seachem Renew for the chemical filtration because it takes the tannins out more slowly than other chemical filtration methods I've tried. It is a planted tank and well seasoned, but I just don't know if I'd feel comfortable filtering it on plants and biological media alone since it's only 10 gallons. I love that you're able to manage that on your black water tanks and I know my Betta fish is jealous.

[@diamdante]

this may be my favourite setup that you've done so far. I've been planning something very similar to this for awhile now, and your use of the cork bark and net pots to hold the plants above the water was the exact solution I needed. thanks again :)

[@lupe9249]

👆👆💨💨

[@Afeller]

Every time I see one of your videos I keep wanting to redo the hard scape on the paludarium I’m working on! Beautiful work!

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@ColdbloodedCompassion]

Best of luck with the relocation! Thanks for another amazing build Tanner and for taking the time to post...we know you've got a lot going on right now.

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@audiolivrobom]

I am absolutely obsessed with black water tanks for decades now. These are easy to maintain, and give a strong feeling of reality. And it's true, the fish tend to be calmer and happier in it.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

It’s gorgeous! The contrasts in light and dark is really lovely.

[@erikktrapane863]

It makes my day hearing tanner rattle off all the plant names😂

[@OhHeyTizKei]

Good luck with your move! Can't wait to see all of the extra space you have left in the new house once everything is settled in

[@SeaGlassSkeleton]

I am so excited to see how everything looks in the new place! I am a big fan of all your black water setups, I have not been able to keep an aquarium for years but I know once I'm able to I really want to do one. Thanks for another great video, and good luck with the move, friend!

[@cherishireland9194]

Do amazing, I'm always feeling so blessed when you make a new video. I love the new larger botanicals. They really change the settings. I bet the fish love to hide back behind that bark too. So awesome!

[@charlie_moorcroft]

Great build! Good luck on your move. Glad you were able to put that material to great use. Final product looks amazing.

[@wheelchair_charlie]

Another gorgeous build! Blackwater setups are my favorite! I love that corkbark background with the plants and look forward to seeing the final masterpiece whens its finished. Goodluck with your move Tanner.

[@seriouslolos2675]

This type of tank is so relaxing, and seriously thinking about adding another tank in my bedroom like this.

[@RossStoltz]

stumbled onto this YT channel this week and am absolutely obsessed. I have never in my life been interested in this type of stuff, but it must have hit my creative and world building nerve. I have been binging out on all the videos!

[@garden_geek]

Man, I just discovered your channel a week or two ago and I’m officially obsessed lol When I was younger I was really into fish keeping. I had lots of different tanks over the years but it’s been more than a decade now since I’ve had any fish. These days I’m an avid gardener and plant nerd. Your channel is really inspiring me to combine these two hobbies. I absolutely love the mashup of art and science in all of your projects. It’s beautiful, fascinating, educational, therapeutic and just so cool! I don’t get inspired like this very often these days so I just wanted to say thank you. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do at your new expanded space!

[@238Tina1]

I absolutely love how you hid the filter! 😮

[@JonEffinZoidberg]

Man your builds are so inspired. Absolutely love the look of this!! Thanks for all the great content

[@GlitzyWitch]

Its so good to see someone get so excited about random plant matter! And love Moss as much as me lol. It is really nice to listen to you too, some people who do these kinds of videos are far too full on and give me a headache, you're so down to earth which makes for easy listening and learning. I've been catching a lot of your terrainium videos. But this is absolutely breathtaking. I love fish, and putting the two together is beautiful. Well done and thank you so much for sharing your process. So much love and respect to you ❤️ 😁

[@jayelodell]

Fantastic build! Blackwater setups are slowly but surely growing on me

[@briantuell3685]

Just wow!!! Between this and your IKEA glass tutorial I have been inspired beyond belief, thank you!

[@laurag1076]

This mimicks pretty much exactly what I saw down the river on my walk yesterday

[@Oli11Ross05]

Awesome video like always! I really enjoy those types of setup. I wish you all the luck and success in your new place! I’m so excited to see what you are going to do with it, room tour, etc. Have an awesome day! See you next week Tanner! 🤓

[@cravensean]

I spent a few years in my childhood obsessed with trying to create miniature worlds in terrariums and aquariums and never felt satisfied. Your videos give me a sense of second-hand satisfaction, if you'll forgive me. But the reason I comment is that I just noticed your Andy Warhol gecko shirt and it made me laugh out loud. What a great shirt!

[@Seedpicker1004]

You are so incredibly inspiring.! It has been about years since I set up my gallon tank. I think this might just be my next inspiration. Thank you!

[@janinebean4276]

I love the blue tetras! The orange tones really make the blue pop since they’re contrasting colours! 🥰 using your art skills there tanner!

[@crazycatmyri]

Love it! I don't know why, but these blackwater tanks always strike a chord with me more than anything else.

[@jurassic_hobbyonmyaltaccou3878]

Im so excited for the saltwater project you’l be doing+the Dart frog enclosure

[@victor_TH]

I can't wait for the saltwater one!

[@AwkwardBirb]

Good luck with the move!! Hope everything goes smoothly and quickly!

[@AndrzejLDotEu]

Beautiful build. Good luck with the move Tanner.

[@mariacollins]

This is a great set up. Good luck with your move Tanner.

[@lizzw4216]

I love black water tanks! They are my favorite and the fish just seem to love it

[@jackulation6816]

Good luck on the move, Tanner! Hope it all goes smoothly!

[@xxwatersxx4061]

For me I love gardening so watching the progression of certain botanicals is the best part, what you do rocks, millions with wild setups tho what is created here is something else to be appreciated :)

[@lupe9249]

👆🍄👆

[@blondeshort906]

Good luck on the move Tanner!! I can’t imagine the amount of stress you and your wife are under. Take care of yourselves. ❤

[@Zee-2123]

So happy to see this, Cochu's blue tetra is my favourite fish and a tank like this is one of my dream tanks. Simply gorgeous.

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@MissMogMad]

As usual, on point very much Tanner!! I've just got myself a red clawed Crayfish and have set up her river bed tank on your inspiration. Thank you 😁

[@casandraolund9006]

Love the set up and good luck with the move !!

[@FlyOG7]

Great watching your work really look forward to seeing what you have in coming up in the future. Good luck with your move

[@lordcyberagnawhat1269]

Amazing video as always! I hope you keep uploading!

[@Helpfulsuggestions]

I recently found you I think your videos are very informative and interesting and great for new beginners.

[@ImHavingaCoronary]

Good luck with the move. So exciting!

[@GlitzyWitch]

Gorgeous tank, I've never seen blue tetras before, they're beautiful 😍

[@lisafenixx]

What a gorgeous tank! I love how natural it looks and I'm sure the fish love it too! Good luck with your move, I hope it goes well!!

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@ksaquatics133]

Very nice setup! Good luck moving everyone!

[@GertrudeFilthbasket]

Oh my god! TANNER!! Awesome build, buddy. I'm loving this one. Thank you.

[@robinwilssens4960]

That batigue root is so awesome!

[@ethanstiles159]

finally some love for boehlkea fredcochui! i love the blue tetras, great fish! yours have some beautiful color, that’s how u know they’re happy!

[@randystache78]

Perfect timing! My friend at work and I got permission to set up an aquarium.

[@Trevorfoggia]

Great work Tanner, another Serpasquad classic. I hope your new home will be a big place, in my opinion you need a converted wear house for all your creations. Anyway, good luck. Stay safe and well. Greetings from Cumbria in the U.K.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Whoa, good luck with the move, Tanner! May your glitches be minimal and easy to fix. Love a blackwater aquarium, they evoke a deep forest with all its mystery and ecological complexity.

[@jazzkatt1919]

I've always been drawn to blackwater tanks, with one big reservation: the sparse planting. What a perfect way to have both! I just bought some cork bark today to put in a bioactive enclosure for feeder roaches, and was wondering, as I was breaking it into smaller pieces they can hide in, if cork bark could be used in an aquarium. Looks like I've got my answer. Awesome.

[@alphahawk9945]

I can’t wait to see your new animal room fill up. My room is becoming a bit of an animal room now too with a 20 gallon guppy tank, a black water for my Betta tasty and now me and my my brother are making a paludarium.

[@lupe9249]

Contact 👆👆

[@arkea8338]

An incredible build as always

[@vids595]

5:48 I have used netted pots as well. Recently I have begun mounting a strip of coarse matala to the glass using expanding foam. Once roots begin to protrude from the matala it registers as a tangle or biomass to the eye.

[@velcapitan]

You're so good at pronouncing scientific names of plants.

[@lindaleal809]

Wishing you massive luck for the move to your new house.

[@hoperules8874]

Be safe, Tanner! Don't rush the move for the next video! We'll survive a week without something brand new--we can always binge-watch old episodes! Peace and God watch over your back!

[@Dekraakjes]

nice setup and good luck with the big move looks like a lot of work

[@borombouts3527]

another great design tanner, best of luck wiith your new house!

[@ghostdragonzw5241]

Good luck & best wishes on the Move. Totally Love this channel...

[@sweetcattv]

Its very cool looking never thought about the fish feeling better because there are tannins in the water.

[@alexanderballance2996]

Excellent tank! Cant wait to see more in the new animal room!

[@olivierl2172]

Nice result. I like the "riparium style".

[@richardstaley5136]

Hey Tanner, another great build! At the end of the video you mentioned that you're going to be moving and I was wondering if you're planning to heavily document how you move all of your setups? I'm contemplating a move myself with a 70 gallon red eared slider enclosure, two 29 and a 10 gallon planted aquarium and an Ikea Detolf hamster enclosure and I'm looking for the best way to go about it...

[@wnisewond59]

would like to see him do this as well!

[@lupe9249]

Dm👆👆🍄

[@jeagerkej3171]

Good luck on the move 🥰

[@vettethewarlock5448]

Blackwater tanks are my favourite, hope your move goes well

[@GoodLifeAquatics]

I’ve always thought about using cork bark in my botanical style aquariums and now I’m determined to do it somehow. Thanks for some inspiration.

[@lupe9249]

Contact 👆👆

[@VicRodriguez2]

Work of art as usual.

[@frederickmorgan6497]

Amazing build as ever!

[@MsDogMom]

Look amazing!! Thanks for sharing!

[@alecfrancis4620]

Not usually a fan of blackwater but the contrast of elements above and below the water is soo pretty

[@lupe9249]

Link up ⬆️

[@naturedecor25]

Beautiful aquarium plants thanks sir

[@Dabombster342]

Lovely build as always! and I hope you'll show how you move everything to your new house, would be nice to know how to do that safely

[@londoeblack]

Two thumbs up! Great video. Thanks!

[@hayrogarciga924]

Wow came out so nice!!

[@RSJ-Texas]

I love this setup !!!

[@woodfield9584]

Beautiful piece of bark

[@lupe9249]

He gat the best 🍄💨👆👆

[@KevinMcC_7]

Beautiful tank

[@ultimateweeb2208]

Can’t wait for the new house!!!!!! please Vlog the process!

[@yourlocaltoad5102]

I love blackwater tanks. Not only do they look more natural, but also they more stable and great for keeping fish that are more sensitive to health issues, as the tannins help in suppressing bacterial growth and boost the fishes immune system. And the water chemistry in them can be very interesting, as especially in very low ph environments (which some blackwater tanks tend to be), the filtration also doesn’t depend as much on bacteria. Tannin aquatics has some very interesting articles about that on their blog, which are definitely worth a read if one is interested in that.

[@Grace-er9ep]

If you need to take a few weeks off for moving that's totally understandable. As someone in the process of moving it's extremely mentally and physically draining, and I don't even have established tanks with animals in them yet. Please take whatever time you need to ensure that your family (animals and otherwise) gets settled into your new home. Maybe I'm just projecting because moving experiences are hectic at best but please remember to put yourself first right now, the channel will still be here if you just miss a few Saturdays

[@hanC21317]

It really is magical!

[@galandris1976]

Fantastic video! Greetings from Hungary!