DIY Micro All-In-One Snail Aquarium

Inspiration strikes at random times and this was one of those times! I've had a few acrylic containers sitting around for a while and didn't know what to do with them... That was until I looked at them the other day. All I could see was an aquarium.
This video outlines my journey to create a micro all-in-one aquarium using said container. Enjoy the ride and let me know what you think about it down in the comments!
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Non-Affiliate Link For Products Used
Acrylic Container - bit.ly/3I2tSoN
Mini Pump - www.amzn.com/B0088892PK/
Mini USB Light - www.amzn.com/B0191S9I4K/
00:00 Intro
00:23 Planning The Build
01:36 Modifying The Enclosure
04:06 How It Works
04:37 Filtration
06:04 Hardscape
07:50 Additional Details
08:52 Planting The Design
10:22 Final Components
11:03 Collecting Snails
11:32 Final Design
#aquascape #aquarium #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

I had a lot of fun with this scape and I really hope you all enjoyed it! Working this small is often quite difficult, but I really like how the scape turned out. What did you think? Anyway, I hope that you all have a great weekend! 🌿

[@Linny14]

Hey Mr.Sherpa I would LOVE to see a mourning gecko and dart frog vivarium think you can pull it off?

[@AquariumsandTerrariums]

Awesome build idea I don’t know how you pull it off every week and with an absolute banger of a video

[@n2t460]

Amazing! I hope to see more ecosystems such as with both snails and fish, as something entirely circular and self-sustaining, but not a closed terrarium.

[@gc6888]

Amazing job - as usual

[@kjeldsloot]

This is really an special microbuild. I really like it. Thanks.

[@MadameCorgi]

I think it's cute you made a whole tank for these little snails most don't pay attention to or see as pets. They are under appreciated I think.

[@azurehue2248]

I have a nerite snail named Levi and hes so good. He zooms around and keeps the tank clean for Erwin to flair at me.

[@kieramoore6501]

Bladder snails are, in my opinion, an absolute must for any aquarium hobbyist. They keep algae down to a minimum, are a great clean up crew, and only eat dead or decaying plant matter. I've found they only eat live plants if they have nothing else to eat, so an occasional feed saves your plants. I agree with you that they are massively underappreciated, a real shame.

[@specUVdust]

These are just pond snails. Keeping one is a pet, while I’m not opposed to it, is similar to keeping an ant as a pet

[@SirKolass]

I mean, there's nothing interesting to snails, why would people want them as pets.

[@ghomerhust]

i have an assassin snail that ive had for several years, his shell is now completely covered with moss and he's almost invisible in my big tank. i recently moved him to a micro-fish tank to help with a pop-up snail problem in it, and now he stands out a little more. hes as big as the little rainbow tetras i have in there!

[@kennethgriffin9770]

This is a super fun build! Perfect for a small desk aquarium. The slow moving snails and gentle water flow gives a really peaceful vibe and would be a pretty neat conversation piece around the office!

[@grim3567]

Until it leaks😉

[@papascrumpeeh]

@@grim3567 don't see how that could even leak and with the amount of water inside it's like spilling a glass of water lmao

[@grim3567]

@@papascrumpeeh lol I was more kidding than not

[@papascrumpeeh]

@@grim3567 👍

[@tenteretente]

Gratitude is the greatest measure of a person's character. A grateful person is a faithful person, does not abandon you, is always with you. You can always trust her. So I'm grateful for my videos posted with great humility and joy, even facing difficulties I don't give up believing that better days will come. 🙏🌷 gratitude for reading my message and watching the videos🌷

[@boooknerd4477]

YESS! Finally someone puts a suitable sized animal in a small fishtank. I've seen far to many people putting fish way to big in small tanks (even smaller than the one you used). Great job, Dude!

[@charlescalvin4057]

Honestly it needs 2 males bettas 4 females betta 5 goldfish 10 guppies 10 neon 5 ancistrus 10 japonica shrimp 20 red cherry shrimp and 5 discus minimum so that the tanks is interesting

[@katelijnhovestad8382]

i agree. do you reckon shrimp are too big to put in an aquarium this size?

[@trustn01rs]

@@katelijnhovestad8382 yes

[@corbeaudejugement]

@@katelijnhovestad8382 yeah. it's a snell house.

[@miyakofuyama]

@@charlescalvin4057 throw in a pike, bass and carp as well

[@usernamenotavailablee]

This is absolutely adorable! This tank has like the most overkill filtration of all the tanks on Earth hahah. I definitely wanna see an update on this super-nano tank in a few months!

[@respectfuldebates]

This video solved many of my problems like how to bend a flexible pipe without forming kinks, and how to reduce the flow of water in small aquariums. Thanks 👍

[@qa377]

You can also fill the tube with sand and cap off the ends before heating and bending it, since the sand won't compress. The bend is going to be a wider angle though. The guy who builds pvc rollercoasters explains how to do it.

[@anonamoss78]

@@qa377 probably easier with a bit of wire lol

[@WilliamHill88]

Brings me back to my childhood where I would dream of little ecosystems like this!! I know you don’t have a lot of space to work with but I’d love to see a bridge connecting 2 tanks. (Or a single tank that has narrowed connections much like zen garden candle holder terrarium) I crave your videos and just binged watched most of them. I absolutely don’t care if you play with this idea or not, I just love when you come up with innovative and awe-inspiring design scapes. Keep up the fantastic work!!

[@guccimane8941]

Same

[@amyharis1]

Your comment made me think of something that I always thought was kind of funny. We used to "live" at the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. There, they have the most awesome saltwater setup. There are multiple tanks, and they are connected by tunnels. So neat, right? Well, the tunnels could never be seen in action because the spiny sea urchins would always be sitting blocking the tunnels. They would never move. Never. It would be neat to see another build with tunnels just so I could see what fish actually look like enjoying the tunnels. LOL!

[@ratwasnotbad4230]

This is the tiniest fully functional tank I have ever seen. You made bladder snails look like centerpieces! Astounding work!

[@fish2468]

Physa Acuta (a snail specie) has always been my favourite “pet” watching them live their live and adapt to different condition are a hell lot of fun to say the least.

[@rat_dragon]

Agreed! I've had Bladder/Tadpole, Great Pond, typical Ramshorn and Flat Ramshorn. No "pet" snail has ever made me happier :)

[@lewisgray4202]

@@rat_dragon will bladder snails overrun my tank if I got a few of them? I really want to but I’m worried lol

[@mateuszszuflak8771]

I have a few glasses for my plant cuttings which I sometimes top up with aquarium water. I found 4 bladder snails, some riccia and java moss happily living in the glasses and feeding on the biofilm which grows on the roots. Hardy little buggers.

[@rat_dragon]

@@lewisgray4202 they'll overrun heavily-planted and heavily-fed tanks. If your tank has little to no plants and detritus, you keep snail eaters or you don't feed a lot of food, you'll be fine. I have a heavily-planted 20G Tall using the Walstad method and since I don't have any fish, I don't put food in the tank. They don't overrun the 125G either since the goldies eat them accidentally, and they don't overrun my ecosphere since there's only a little bit of detritus and plants. They'll keep their numbers low if you don't have a lot of dead plant matter, algae and/or detritus ;)

[@lewisgray4202]

@@rat_dragon thank you for the info this will definitely help in the future. I have shrimp in my tank so I do have to feed them every now and then, would that effect it much or would it be okay?

[@JDavis4991]

Absolutely LOVED this build! I enjoy all the large scale projects, but it's pretty refreshing to see some micro-scapes. I'd love to see some more in the future!

[@MultiCrackerjacker]

If my two snails(Bob and Lenore) saw that cool scape I’d never hear the end of it! Beautiful design!👍🏼🇨🇦

[@canadiankin]

I like how you are willing to show us that it doesn't always work as expected at first but that we're to work through it and around it until it does work out! A lot of videos don't allow for or show us mistakes so when we make one we freak. You let us know it's okay and just keep using our imaginations. Thanks very much. It turned out great!

[@sjldfilms5126]

This is so cool! You’ve inspired me. I’ve now built two terrariums out of large pickle jars with moss and plants from my yard. My next plan is a larger scape in an old fish tank. Thank you so much!

[@juliemill22]

Hi! I have a large pickle jar that I want to make a terrarium out of too! Could you please tell me what you used to make it? (like what kind of dirt and rocks) Thanks!!

[@sjldfilms5126]

@@juliemill22 i watched his video on how to build one for free. Dig through the snow and found soil and mosses.

[@juliemill22]

@@sjldfilms5126 thank you!

[@jhowardsupporter]

I like terrariums but find them too hard to maintain.

[@tarot-karma-online]

Beware ! This is how he started ... :)

[@michaelrozario6381]

I've been interested in 'micro' tanks for some time now but I haven't seen too many that don't have a lot of problems, this is a fantastic example and the walkthrough is appreciated. It just looks so good and peaceful.

[@kathrynvanwaart]

I just absolutely love the visibility of the lava rock. I feel like that would also work really nicely on a somewhat bigger tank. It gives that additional contrast while not overcrowding the tankscape. I feel like these snails got the best filtration they could possibly need. Glad you're still feeding them

[@bobeardington4044]

Looks awesome! I’ve noticed the smaller the container, the harder it is to design and build. Love your work.

[@SerpaDesign]

Very true. Going big has its challenges as well, but smaller builds are significantly more tedious.

[@griffinpope993]

@@SerpaDesign Hey Tanner, I got a crested gecko about 4 months ago, and he has been doing fine, but I noticed something. I noticed that there are snails and all these brown bugs in the substrate. I just want to know how to get them out of his vivarium without harming him.

[@anonamoss78]

@@griffinpope993 i would of said a complete clean out with uninfested substrate or did gecko eat them lol, i know nothing about keeping geckos...what did u do?

[@TheUrbanNemophilist]

Saturdays never feel complete without watching a new SerpaDesign video. Thanks!!!

[@lizzyanthus1]

Oh my goodness, that is the most adorable 'mini' I have ever seen! I love all things miniature, and this has to top anything I have ever seen! The hardscape is perfect! With all the components, you have created the perfect miniature aquarium! Thanks for doing this one!

[@alicegerman5799]

I melted when I saw the tiny snails exploring this new home, this looks amazing!

[@lynxlynx6685]

"Pest snails" are the only pets I have in my tiny aquarium. Nice to see them being appreciated by you, they are nice to observe (my favorite is the trumpet snail partly because of its relatively large size).

[@jrycsssss]

bladder snails are so hated even tho they're as hard working as nerites

[@jrycsssss]

well not as good as nerites but still doin some hardwork despite their size lol

[@Letycs]

I've always been told bladder snail and trumpet snails are terrible and you don't want them around, but I've always liked seeing them. Plus when my betta get hungry between feedings he eats them out of their shell.. kind of like feeding it all your unwanted baby guppies, lol.

[@jrycsssss]

@@Letycs thats harsh and cool at the same time lol!!!

[@BillieRC]

I like that you used a mock space to play with before putting it in the actual tank

[@Tinker13ee]

I would love to see you try and rig up something for those half sphere wall mount aquariums

[@Dxmbfvck]

I love how you make enclosures look like a whole another world

[@WihterGamingHD]

As a German i loved the pronunciation of "Süßwassertang" 😁 nice Video btw👍🏻

[@TomPlaysPoGo]

Thank you for continuously providing us with many DIY Ideas and inspirations. You got me eager to start building my own terrarium

[@notflanders4967]

the song towards the end, while selecting/showcasing the snails, is such a dreamy tune! Perfect for watching this at 2am.. I keep replaying that part

[@mattparker7932]

Love it. It’s like a little monument to the humble pond snail. Some people might dislike them, but I’ve always enjoyed their presence even outside of their usefulness. Nice job!

[@A2D4]

There’s something very relaxing about watching all your videos, which is a bonus to learning how it’s all done. I marvel at your knowledge of so many plants, let alone their scientific names! This project is a beautiful result of your talent, patience and creativity, as are all your projects. 🤗👍🏻👏🏼

[@cineroustit]

I love how unconventional but beautiful this build is... another amazing build Tanner!

[@hollowheresy]

Your joy and creativity for this art form is so contagious. Thank you for inspiring so many people like me. Serpa Squad for life. 😁

[@peppercow4755]

I love that you made something for snails! No one ever does it, or micro builds in general, but theyre my favorite thing to work with so this was amazing to wake up to an alert to!

[@sourcererseven3858]

my niece is actually mad about snails (and slugs) from the garden. This video made me wonder whether this would be a good idea for her first own pet, but after thinking a bit more about it, balancing the water quality is probably a considerable task... So maybe not 😆

[@peppercow4755]

@@sourcererseven3858 if she wants to send them to me, i will gladly take them!!! i LOVE making terrariums for garden snails

[@chesneymigl4538]

@@peppercow4755 And now I need super cute snail terrarium pictures in my life. :)

[@samanthajay4981]

The snails crawling on the branches at the end was so 🥰

[@DevonDowner]

I love this!!! Every time you zoom out, I get surprised because I had forgotten how small it really was.

[@pjp9383]

Agreed. He did an excellent job of translating the proportions of his materials for that tank size, to the size of materials we'd expect him to use in a larger tank.

[@mysticarchfire]

This is probably one of my more favorite builds, it's something you could put on a shelf by your desk, or where you do college work. Gives off a relaxing vibe

[@NekoLovely607]

This is the most cutest and unique mini aquarium ever! ❤❤ I would happily buy one if they made aquariums like this. (They probably do but I'm in love with your design and innovation!)

[@adenodeorain9771]

So so pretty, this inspired me to try and do something similar! Nice to see an easy and small build that is doable for someone not too clued up on bigger and more complex tanks.

[@mystra13]

This is cute and beautiful at the same time. I love the duality of the dark filtration and light landscape area.

[@JoeXTheXJuggalo1]

Man this brings me back like around 25ish years ago when I used to have lots of snails in a fish tank. Now you're making me want to get some more

[@LittleParade_]

I LOVE this build, I'm a huge lover of snails, used to spend summer nights hunting and catching snails around my neighborhood, and having something like this sitting on my desk would bring me so much joy!

[@robertpotter8339]

I like how you took a common household item and made it into a awesome micro aquarium

[@rat_dragon]

After 4-5 years of watching your channel, I think this is my favorite build!

[@corysimpson8899]

This is an absolutely adorable little setup, love seeing the filtration.

[@ColdbloodedCompassion]

Love this build! Snails are some of my favorite tank inhabitants. They are so underrated for the amount of hard work that they do. It is great to see a build just for these little power houses. Thank you so much for this!

[@rodneyspeirer4773]

I love the end result of your builds, but I also watch for your solutions to the problems you encounter when you have a challenging project! All of it so awesome!

[@benvos2458]

I love the view of the filter! I wouldn't conceal it myself. Looks as good as all of your builds!

[@enginneringcityguy4913]

Hello SerpaDesign! I really enjoyed this one. Months ago I got interested in making sustainable micro environments and this video really takes the idea into extreme. Haha I really liked it and keep it on! Looking forward to see next videos

[@garvhome]

This is one of my favorite tanks I’ve seen you do! I absolutely love unusual tanks, especially micro ones.

[@emmathomson2584]

I can’t wait these videos without wanting to create something myself. Tanners content is truly the definition of inspiring to me, he never ceases to amaze me with his ideas! Thank god it’s a snow day in Ontario and I can’t go out and buy $100 worth of aquarium supplies frivolously

[@pjp9383]

* laughs in "spent $55 on driftwood this weekend just because they were cool pieces" * Guess I'll need to rescape a tank to justify the purchase. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@pjp9383]

Also, hello from the intersection of the 401 and DVP in Toronto. 👋👋👋

[@emmathomson2584]

@@pjp9383 ahaha hello friend 👋 coming at ya from behind a snow wall just north of ya in Barrie 😉😂

[@pjp9383]

@@emmathomson2584 So. Much. Snow. !!!

[@ExoticReptileCreations]

Your ending was so Zen 🙏🏻. I was in chill mode after watching and it made me want to watch it again. Great build. Very cool idea. Thanks for sharing Tanner.

[@b00ooshrooms13]

This is so precious and wholesome. Such a delight to see snd I think it’s my favorite build so far. I haven’t seen anything like this before either, so creative

[@quinten382]

Tanner, you are like a teacher to me. Thank you very much for letting me learn so much about this hobby.

[@yiyas444]

His videos strike the perfect balance between the beauty, relaxation and information. Love it!

[@ReneesZooTube]

This is absolutely wonderful and adorable! I love the idea of stocking with snails! 💖 Turned out absolutely perfect!

[@k-c]

This was so refreshing to see. I myself have a planted snail tank which is a desk setup but not as small as this. I believe you did really amazing, would like to get an update on this after a period of time.

[@MyTurkeyleg]

I appreciate that your videos are made in way that anyone can follow along and create something similar, thanks!

[@tic857]

There is something quite enchanting with your smaller builds.

[@Emg2463]

Amazing as usual ! I look forward to seeing how this build holds up ! The only thing I see....is that I think it's too small for the frosted background to do it justice. The frosting ends up just looking like a backdrop of air bubbles.....🤔

[@oscarcaneffgaming6520]

I love all the vids! They’re very relaxing and always fun to watch

[@blindopossum7913]

100% snails are my favorite aquatic pet. They are so calming and amazing to watch

[@aschor3]

This is so amazing. I never realized you could do something so small yet keep it interesting. I am so happy I found your channel. I use to have a room for aquariums but since selling our house and downgrading I haven’t had anything, this gives me amazing inspiration for something I could do in our new place!!!!

[@foldingchairfilmworks]

This is the first video of yours that I've come across. I can't believe I'd never seen your work before! What a captivating little world you've built. I feel like I could watch those bladder snails explore for hours. I'm happy to have subscribed, and I can't wait to work through your backlog of content! :)

[@jigenos4546]

Hey Tanner, just wanted to say that I truly loved watching this video ! I love when you put in the foreground species of animals/insects etc that have at first glance nothing special. But the way you give them an uncommon attention from what I've seen on the platform is incredible. What I mean is that I love your vision, there is not always the need to have a special kind of a fancy insect, fish with an incredibly rare kind with an unique pattern etc, just the beauty of nature and the fact of bringing it home come into account. I love your work and I'll keep watching you going forward ! (+ Ty for inspiring us/me following your steps, all the best :)

[@combatgirl38]

If I wasn't completely enamored before, I officially am now as of today without a doubt! From the get-go I felt like you'd accessed my brain and catered to my instincts with the entirety of this build. There are *SO* many Amazing projects that you have done that have brought me Joy and Inspiration, but this little repurposed guy just seemed to speak directly to my own personal perspective and visions. Thank you for this unexpected gem, Tanner!!

[@CRANTIME]

The pump fit SO PERFECTLY Incredibly satisfying

[@glittercatfeet5448]

This is so cool! I love seeing your really creative builds, it's very inspiring! Could you possibly do an update on this tank in a couple months? I'm curious to see how it grows

[@alisonnicholson]

What a great video. Got lots of small containers and other surplus fish keeping bits and bobs. Looks so pretty. I'm going to give this a go. Thank you 😊

[@scotncan]

I love watching your entire process, it is helpful to see you go through the problem solving process. If for whatever reason you need to look for work you highlight problem solving and creativity as traits on your resume.

[@amiaswolfgang]

I absolutely love this tank! It's actually inspired me to go out and make something of my own! I've been wanting to get into aquascaping for a few months now, and now that I'm almost fully healed from my surgery, I'm ready to go out shopping for materials! I don't plan on putting any animals in there since I don't think I have the heart to cull any, but plants and healthy microbes are right up my ally! Having a relaxing, living, ethical tiny tank on my desk is an absolute dream and this video proved it was possible. Thanks for uploading!

[@BigShrimpin416]

Tanner is the most creative innovative person ever!! This is so adorable!!! I love it! 🐌 🐌🐌🐌 that was so genius to warm the tubing and bend it to the desired shape! You give me such new ways to do things and get my brain going!

[@AbuN4z1r]

Awesome project once again, well done! May i point out that in many videos when you're sitting and talking face camera, the focus often is on the background instead of on you. You may want to do the focus manually instead of letting it on auto. I hope it's useful criticism, as a former camera operator it really steals my attention for a second every time :)

[@MarkJB43]

This build is amazing and it looks awesome. I love the aesthetic vibe it gives, and that it gives these little snails a place to be noticed.

[@jeffnjenn1972]

Wow. What an amazing build. That would be wonderful in a desk. Something relaxing to view when you're at work.

[@Chewbroccolii]

As an owner of a Micro Aquarium let me tell you that it's no easy tank to maintain. Striking a balance in the eco cycle and choosing the correct stock is hit and miss.

[@tracybowling1156]

Snails! What a perfect idea! You are always teaching us something new and extra exciting! Thank you!

[@lindysmith13]

this made me appreciate snails even more. what a lovely home you made

[@carolebraswell982]

I never tire of watching your builds and this one turned out positively charming!

[@pennypaton3079]

Oh my goodness, you're tiny tank is brilliant. The way you set it all up was so calming and relaxing, this is now my new favourite... ❤️

[@poisonheartfield4950]

Thank you so much for being such an out of the box creator! You've been my inspiration for SO MANY fixes I've had to make with my systems, and are a continuous inspiration towards my ideas that I haven't been able to work out yet. You're AMAZING!

[@CaspienGrey]

I love this build so much!! Great job, Tanner, I'm always so impressed and inspired by your work.

[@EnchantedwithPoodles]

I love this piece, it turned out beautifully.

[@YOYOY2K]

I love the concept of finding something that wasn't meant to be a tank and turning into a custom setup--especially on such a small scale. Really enjoyed the build! 👍

[@eeeemmmmm]

You can literally make a coffee can into an aquarium. You are so talented!!

[@natureworldofasper]

This is the channel I watched the most as I became interested in Paludarium and plants. Thanks to this, my skills have improved little by little, and I have been able to run my own channel. I look forward to many more good videos with creative ideas in the future

[@Dirtbag-Hyena]

I just got reccomend your channel. I guess, because I watch a lot of nature stuff on top of my other joys. And, I have to say, you're a beautifully talented man. I've always loved nature. Grew up with a forest in my backyard, literally. My favourite memories of my childhood home is the Cardinals nested in a tree by my window and when their babies hatched I'd get to hear them every morning. It was tranquil and delightful. I miss it. I'm disabled and can't get out there anymore. What you do, bringing nature inside in such a creative and pleasing way, is amazing. You're a nature artist. I wish I could build the things you do, but it warms my heart to see yours. Cool stuff, brother.✌🏼

[@ryanlastname3039]

This is one of my favourite mini aquariums so far! You made great use of limited space.

[@desireechoate7583]

That's so smart to make a mini model to hardscape in. The holdable scape is very aesthetic and there's something so fascinating about holding the actual scape in your hand. Absolutely brilliant once again.

[@alicivia4340]

omg this is sooooo cute!!! i love seeing the snails climbing on the branches!

[@rachelkunz611]

So cute and peaceful. Love it.

[@C.J.._.]

This was amazingly creative! Super fun to watch, thanks for sharing💚

[@Mamuniabandontherun]

snails are so beautiful aww ty for sharing

[@raibeartthehairypict4696]

Wow. Now that's what I call a nano aquarium. Great job Tanner.

[@rawh7466]

perfect rainy day content. bless you

[@alekgittisriboongul7051]

like the all clear design, shows your hardwork

[@petenaylor1353]

Beautiful job Tanner...small tanks can be complicated but I think you nailed this one.

[@berthaday3473]

Just precious ! I love snails 🐚& have 2 types in my outdoor pond.🐚🐚🐚🐚

[@LaikasFriend]

What an adorable little tank!!!!

[@IlseMulAuthor]

That's an awesome tank for these tiny snails! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@Gabe2theXtreme]

wow. just lovely. The tiny snails really blew my mind. Well done!

[@susiemobley8652]

From big to small You Serpa King Are most talented of all.

[@BlackRogueDreams]

Always love the smaller builds.