Jungle Aquarium Plant Ball Terrarium (DIY Wabi-Kusa Tutorial)

In this one, I combine the terrarium and aquarium hobby in a way that I haven't shown before through wabi-kusa. Wabi-Kusa is a type of nature design that was developed by the late Takashi Amano. The term “wabi-kusa” is derived from the Japanese term “wabi-sabi”, which is a philosophy centered around the ephemeral, imperfect beauty of life.
I felt that this would be a really cool and fun project to showcase on the channel and I'm glad that I did. I think it's a really great starting point to step into nature design. It's also a fun option for someone who's already keeping aquarium plants and wants to try something new.
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00:00 Intro
00:36 What is Wabi-Kusa?
01:01 Understanding Riparian Plant Growth
01:52 Making the Substrate Ball
05:47 Selecting the Plants
07:30 Planting the Wabi-Kusa
09:28 Other Uses
10:13 Selecting a Container
11:42 Hardscape
12:04 Completed Build
12:43 Conclusion
#wabikusa #terrarium #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

If any of you are still on the fence about bringing nature indoors, then this might be the way to go! I had a ton of fun with this video and definitely recommend giving it a try! I have more to share about these in the future that I can't wait to share. Stay tuned and have a great weekend!

[@AquariumsandTerrariums]

thanks for the clay cat litter trick I'm definitely gonna try it out

[@ichimoku5995]

The inspiration guy! Gratz bro from Brazil!

[@fionabarber784]

I grew up with a jungle of plants in the home, so plants indoors isn't new to me. This however is gorgeous and I need one. I think it would look great as a center peace to my dining table

[@condorX2]

I like the way you water your aquaponics plant's. Nice bounding

[@mistergreeen]

Hey I messaged you on Instagram! You should do a scape or a terrarium of only prehistoric plants like horsetails and liverworts and mosses! I really want to see what your dwarf equisetum looks like after a few years

[@TheEwnkd]

I really appreciate how well you explain everything, you are a great teacher. My husband and daughter got me a Wabi-kusa for Mother’s Day a year or two ago and it basically collapsed. They also used really thin twine which rotted quickly from the moisture. I enjoyed it so much and can’t wait to make my own😊

[@zloungeact]

Did u make one yet? Or are u all talk?

[@Tobi-pp2wz]

@@zloungeact Relax.

[@headfangs]

Hey Tanner, I've built a ball like this in an aquatic setting before (using java moss instead of spagnum), I wanted to give you a tip that might really help make wabikusa in the future-- nylon hair nets. I went through a lot of trial and error using thread to wrap the moss, but it was often very messy and uneven. I found the easiest solution was to buy a pack of black, synthetic hair nets online, wrap the soil ball with the moss, then cover the entire surface with a hair net. Then, I tied a knot with thread at the base of the ball, trimmed any remainder, and then tucked the knot under the ball. You could even push your thumb into the underside of the ball to create a nice hole for the hair net knot to tuck into. The material of the hair net is sooo thin, it becomes almost invisible, especially as the moss grows. Within a couple weeks, I couldn't see the net at all. Another cheat that made it even easier (for aquatic) was wrapping the soil in a pair of black panty hose, and layering the moss over that. All the nutrients with none of the mess lol. I loved the plant choice on this one-- plants with red stems always look so good in wabikusa. Great job!

[@milamilla1977]

I used this methods too for the cork-mounted orchids! Particularly old pantyhoses are good for threads or nets. There is another item I like to use, that net bags discounted produce are sold in! Plastic, sturdy and elastic, will hold everything!

[@to_discover_life]

Underrated comment cheq

[@shiny-dust]

genius!!!

[@solbadgear]

even you have fangs on your head, I'm forever grateful to you. Praise you, lord headfangs!!!!

[@chaerod]

I was always wondering how those moss balls came about. I'd love to see how this grows and fills out over time!

[@gardenroad7652]

I hope you read this😊. The 1st video I watched from your channel got me into this hobby an out if depression. Fast forward, now I owned an Aquascape buisness. All thanks to you! If you ever came to Malaysia, I'll be more than glad to take you around 😁

[@TheUrbanNemophilist]

I remember requesting you once for your take on a wabi-kusa and finally I get to see one on the channel. Thanks

[@ricardocaliman2830]

Over half a century on this rock, and I've never heard of a Wabi-Kusa before now. Truely inspiring, and yes I plan to attempt one. Thank you for the time you take to enrich other's lives.

[@RichardHaywardMelbourne]

Same here!

[@foxybrown1g]

I absolutely love the turntable you added to show off pieces like this! It really brings out the wow factor and it gives your already awesome channel a little more of a polished look! Thank you for including designs like this to your channel. I don’t consider myself a crafty person but this is something I’m sure I can do! I can’t wait to try!

[@LizardsVideos]

You always have the perfect glassware for every build, even when you don't build it yourself. It's so satisfying every single time!

[@emmitstewart1921]

In place of fishing line, you could also use Polyester sewing thread in a color to match your sphagnum and moss. Be sure you use solid polyester, which will not decay. If you use the polyester with a cotton core, the cotton core will rot away.

[@ryanstuart815]

He could also use braided fishing line. It’s often thinner, green, and disappears in water better than monofilament line.

[@HomemadeEcosystems]

Wow this is awesome, defenitely trying this! Happy new year btw!

[@veronica5896]

Can't wait to see how this develop over time. Looks amazing already, bet it will only look better and better over time. Thanks for sharing your creative mind with us, Tanner!

[@glizzygladiator8055]

Been a while since I’ve been early! Love the content, using your fire bellied toad paludarium video I built a green treefrog waterfall setup that’s been going great for a couple years now. Thank you for your passion, and time Tanner.

[@SerpaDesign]

That's awesome! I hope they continue to enjoy their setup for many years.

[@dicebar_]

Hey Tanner! I just wanted to compliment you on this video. Even when compared to the high quality of all your videos, this one is of particularly exceptional quality. It really shows you had a lot of fun with making it!

[@duncanpitts4590]

This project could of been a game changer but... Let me explain. I bought 2 Exo Terra advanced reptile habitats, one for me and one for my son with a "challenge" attached. Found out the other day he also subscribed to your channel. There goes my advantage! Love your work and great explanations.

[@cherishireland9194]

This was so stunning and it was really wee so I feel like I might have a chance of making one and my husband not getting mad about a new plant lol. I love your choices in the design and it's so clean looking.

[@RichardHaywardMelbourne]

I made a terrarium last week by following your advice about creating a sealed system, using a false bottom and having a lot of fun with the plants I could find in the garden. As such, it was different to the terrariums I had attempted and failed with previously. I'd like to think that this time I should be able to enjoy a successful terrarium which I can open in 6 months to refresh and renew.

[@abbymccormick1951]

The Serpasaurus Rex, at it again! Great work!

[@teodorasimic1336]

Absolutely love the mini spinning display table

[@ColdbloodedCompassion]

Thank you for another great video! Love these little outside the box videos! Mostly I do bioactive enclosures for reptiles but this past holiday I made mini terrariums with polymer mushrooms out of ornaments and gave them to friends and family.

[@c0ldlight1]

This is so amazing! Kokedama next! Imagine floating islands above a scape.

[@kim-babieslikemine3709]

This may be a game changer for my aquarium.. and dining table. . I love everything about this video and have all the elements needed already in hand. Thank you. Do you have any of these that you did previously? I would love to see what they look like.

[@Steambull1]

I'm 33, grew up running in forests and swimming in lakes, now a blister-handed city dweller for 12+ years and in dire need of a hobby that'd take me away from the PC. A few weeks ago I got a rather sudden urge to get into vivariums, thanks to just one YT video, which immediately led me to do research on the subject. I'm waiting for spring so that I can use my terrace for working space / storage, meanwhile I'm trying to decide what kind of small project I should attempt first. Just seeing these beautiful builds and learning about creating / maintaining them lights up my mind. Nature, craftsmanship, environmental design, working with colors - all things I love, and this grumpy old rat-race participant is definitely inspired! Thanks for the content, your passion for this is both impressive and obvious!

[@DFangs219]

Another fantastic build and another idea to keep in mind when I feel creative. When I was a child Saturday morning was for cartoons but now, it's for the new inspiration from SerpaDesign!

[@juseschrustfush]

Like a tiny jungle planet. Also that's a really cool container.

[@rachelkunz611]

I saw a video about a year or two ago about Wabi-Kusa and I thought it was so cool. You could literally use whatever you wanted. Great video!!!

[@TMOR99]

This doesn't just give me inspiration for terrariums- I can totally see a bunch of floating islands with giant jungles on them, up high in the sky! Who knows what kinds of secrets these islands would hold for the characters...

[@txbluesguy]

Because of your videos, I have made 10 closed terrariums since the pandemic started. Three of them I made as gifts, which were well received. Two were experiments and I ended up tossing them when we move cross country (MN -> NM).

[@ChildofGod14]

Well, Ima try to bring nature indoors! I'll probably make one for my parents to enjoy.

[@vettethewarlock5448]

that little green sprayer is so cute

[@AmandaFlaggDesign]

This is so beautiful I could see this being a really nice gift to give to someone as well! Small and tidy, really lovely.

[@lucaslauber1708]

Meat ball analogy reminded me why you are one of my favorite content creators

[@jawagames.]

I wanted to say that i love your work and you are a hudge insperation to me, keep up the good work!

[@Pawpawlogan]

Inspiring. I want to share with you that instead of distilled water try using your fish tank water. I even squeeze the sponge filters on cleaning day into the syphoned water bucket and water all the indoor plants. Thanks for sharing!

[@LaiN900]

I finally know what to do with that strange but awesome Vase I was gifted. Thanks Tanner!

[@maxedoutexoticsnz]

Lol its 3 in the morning here in little ol New Zealand. Love what you do and appreciate you dearly man

[@TurstMe4]

I’ve only seen gardeners do this for orchids, but now this is amazing.

[@tatianarodriguez4682]

You’re my Bob Ross for everything indoor nature related. I swear I have been watching you for years.

[@blindinshadow109]

Thanks for the cat liter tip. That little nature ball gonna look great in a month.

[@antsandmoreaustralia]

I love making terrariums too I got a whole book on it

[@edusouzamatos]

I love these projects that are simpler to start and that doesnt require lots of tools. Makes me feel less intimidated to attempt to build them. Thanks a lot!

[@1619Raven]

Like a little planet 🌿

[@JosephTilton]

I’m totally going to try this build. It’ll look great in my office.

[@Dracula-AtomicNosferatu]

You are a God of many worlds 🌎 much respect to your greenthumb!!!

[@jordanyeckering4002]

Super dope design Tanner. I always admire how you consistently grow your portfolio of methods within a relatively narrow and confined hobby.

[@brooksBG1]

Thank you TANNER! Just awesome! We live in Japan for another 5-6 months and have 4 Kodakami Moss Balls in our townhome. NOW, with your help I will DO THIS for future riparium/terrarium/aquarium builds!

[@brookeowings3510]

What I love most about that is how you could easily pick it up and move it without taking anything apart

[@CricketsMa]

How cool is that!! Thanks, Tanner, for another super idea.

[@girlypotato3211]

Tanner this video is shot so beautifully!! There are so many gorgeous shots and close ups, this must have taken so much time! Thank you for the informative and professional videos!!! Peace ✌

[@ianstandardYT]

Maybe your best video to date?? Deeply inspiring!

[@aprilwilliams364]

Wow! You never disappoint. I absolutely love this one!

[@denarisnoctem4562]

I love these! OMGOSH! These'd be great in my aquarium . . .and I already have the supplies. Fantastic!

[@richardgrumpyolman4079]

Yet another fantastic build. Thanks so much. You could also use quarter inch black Bird Netting. Works a treat. Cheers.

[@kristyc1046]

Probably one of the videos I've seen on wabi kusa.

[@tracybowling1156]

Tanner! This is the most fun and cool idea! It's easy for beginners and experts can really make it awesome! You are a planting idea warehouse! I love it!!!

[@mathurren1]

That looks amazing. I'm going to tackle this project. That would be perfect for my office.

[@jancar003]

I love this as I do most of your creations! I fell in love with your stalagtite terrarium over a year ago and I still have not gotten the nerve to try to reproduce it even though I obtained everything I need, just looking at it intimidates me. You are so talented! 😍

[@billymacaraeg7761]

1st comment 😁😁, moss ball was a great idea, especially for plants that rely on high humidity like sensitive miniature orchids, or ones that creeping growth patterns. it's great 😊👍

[@Willkutcherisbetter]

Can’t wait to see what it looks like when it establishes!

[@TheDiNicPerson]

Starting out 2022 strong with one of your wackiest videos yet! Love it.

[@dyrcosis]

It really came together for me when you inserted the sticks of wood. This is a cool idea.

[@carissagarcia4384]

This man does not miss

[@Jds_7]

You will never cease to amaze me

[@kimbeaux75]

Beautiful and fun to watch

[@thomasreutemann9991]

Thanks for the valuable tip. Cat litter... simply great. immediatelyTried it out . Greetings from Switzerland

[@tannerbaldridge9127]

“Now I don’t want to bore you with the details” No….no… I WANT you to bore me with the details. Please. This is hella interesting my guy and one of my favorite things to learn about

[@ThexGlamourweight]

You're like Bob Ross. I love it

[@austinmckinnon8207]

This guy makes me so jelly like bro u make it looms so simple and easy

[@melaniep.]

Your intros and truly the entirety of your videos remind me of watching Bob Ross or Growing a Greener World from PBS. Educational, beautiful scenes, all around enjoyment of watching these videos.

[@tinabratland4027]

I love this! It seems like an easy and less expensive way to get into aquascaping.

[@wheelchair_charlie]

Brilliant idea, super fun and simple! Im seriously thinking on making one of these for my small place one day! Thanks!

[@jennifercrum-flint599]

I like how you put the spider wood in it. -Sophia

[@curtisdesign]

Very cool. That mix would work in scraped terrariums too, to push into nooks (and also crannies) to plant into. 👍🏽

[@athulkrishnatu]

Nice video

[@augardenideas2189]

Thank you for sharing these wonderful planting methods.

[@ingeniouspixie]

I have wanted to try wabi-kusa for a long time, but as a way to wrap and grow terrestrial plants. This is a beautiful variation!

[@jensuh628]

I love this. Definitely will be something I build myself soon.

[@mystra13]

This is so cute & I loved the meatball analogy.

[@rickcroney1286]

That's just the build I needed to fix an existing tank that I want to plant. My Bushynose Plecostomus keeps uprooting my plants. Hopefully this will make it harder on him. Thanks for the tip 👍

[@carsongarnett1700]

What a beautiful meatball

[@ReachOutReptiles]

Looks great! Love the versatility. Would you be interested in expressing some of your skills at a local reptile museum we are building here in the Pittsburgh area?

[@Stephen-jw8ci]

another awesome build, true art

[@mirtagordillo3486]

Wow so gorgeous when I get my new place soon for my mom and I I'm going to be doing one thank you Tanner 💜💜

[@younginng3661]

Hey you!!! Just wanted to let you know, that we appreciate every super dope video you make.

[@ickiemickie]

Your videos keep getting better!

[@rezanikjoo7331]

Genius. It's better than real jungle!

[@waynehamilton6442]

That was really cool Tanner.

[@cbvickers4044]

Love it Tanner. Thank you.

[@naegwut]

Patience and precision

[@mossyart6435]

You always doing something cool serpa

[@LuckystrikeGFXer]

Have you grown the tissue culture plants on your own? If so could you make a video about it at some point? I am very interested how you have done it!

[@michaelmelo8075]

Another great video Tanner! Love your creativity

[@pecktec]

Came out great!

[@fouraces1949]

Congrats on the million mile stone!, I’ve been watching a while and I really enjoy this channel!

[@shazmunchdylbertoid]

damn your presentation style has gotten super slick

[@destinyramirez8537]

With terrestrial plants, this is similar to a technique called kokedama! Awesome for lots of plants that like humidity. My favorite use is with orchids, but using a sheet moss and a good aroid mix including bark fines and horticultural charcoal. You can make smaller "balls" to mount the orchid onto driftwood, planks, etc.

[@FantaMann42]

I used Bonsai substrate, Akadama substrate, to form a Wabi Kusa ball, wrapped it with sphagnum moss and fish line. Works great.

[@danathompson3024]

You always make me smile!

[@michoneburris2807]

LOVE this, Tanner! I just might try this myself... Wonder how orchids might do with this.

[@ashisbanerjee3428]

Fine little artcraft.