Living Self-Watering Jungle Arc (EASY Moss Drip Planter)

Sometimes a project begin simply with an everyday object. This was one of those projects. As I was cruising through a store the other week, I found a little storage container. As soon as I saw it, this project popped into my head... well sort of. My original vision was different from the result, but I like this better.
I tried to keep it as simple as possible and I think it was really easy to build. Other than the expertise involved with stacking the rocks, the rest requires little to no finesse at all. I left a complete list of materials below if you'd like to make one for yourself. Enjoy!
Material List (Non Affiliate Links)
Aquasoil - amzn.to/3Qnsod8
Container - bit.ly/3A0PGQw
Hemp String - amzn.to/3zVVqKn
Lava Rocks - thd.co/3A0Nybn
Light - amzn.to/3Q6Om4d
Sphagnum Moss - amzn.to/3BMnnH0
Super Glue - amzn.to/3QbB4ni
Plant List
Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)
Oak Leaf Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila 'Quercifolia')
Thread Moss (Amblystegium varium)
Learn More in my Blog
www.serpadesign.com/blog
Follow SerpaDesign
Instagram - / serpadesign
TikTok - / serpadesign
Second Channel - / tannerserpa
00:00 Project Idea and Container
01:07 Pump Logistics
01:33 Plumbing the Container
03:00 Hardscape Design
05:31 Adjusting the Flow
07:12 Making Jungle Vines
08:04 Addressing the Tray
08:42 Adding the Plants
09:42 Completed Build
#moss #diy #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

I came up with something fun and easy for this week's project and I really like the result! It has a pretty cool vibe to it that I think is unique. What do you think? Let me know! I appreciate your continued support and can't wait to show you what I'm working on behind the scenes. Things are about to go crazy... stay tuned!

[@URANUSguys]

MAKES ME SO HAPPY WHEN U POST🥹😃😃🥲😇

[@URANUSguys]

PL PL put Captions

[@DWSP101]

Watching videos on how to make a hobbit home honestly think you should make a Hobbit little house in one of your terrariums. FYI trying to type this with a newborn baby on my chest lol

[@shattiiee]

absolutely love this one, especially since it uses a common ikea container. The build itself is marvelous, although i almost expected you to do something witht he container itself as you usually do. I think for future builds, playing around with the container itself can be an extra step aswell. Paint it, or covering it in rocks to integrate it into the hardscape, creating an even more cohesive look, etc. Either way, absolutely stunning build as usual

[@DarlnDar]

***Absolutely amazing work*** you do!!

[@DWSP101]

Watching videos on how to make a hobbit home honestly think you should make a Hobbit little house in one of your terrariums

[@knightly_bear]

I agree, but one thing, theyre hobbit holes

[@shakescan]

Bilbo Baggins hole was not a drippy cave XD

[@Hrrrrrrrrrreng]

@@shakescan are you kidding me? It was drip city. Olde style hardwood, hand carved features, a cellar for mead and wine, also for food. Better call him dripbo (bag)gin$

[@noahgrech224]

@@Hrrrrrrrrrreng I appreciate your comment.

[@glassboxfish]

What animals would most closely resemble a hobbit?

[@philcarlino6942]

This is one of the first DIY projects of yours that I thought to myself, "I think I could do this." But I can already imagine my lack of patience with the glue lol. Really cool project, Tanner. Love how it turned out! Take care.

[@cristiaolson7327]

Go for it man. That glue dries in about 10 seconds if you're adding bits of cotton or rock dust, so builds like this are super fast. Plus the materials are so cheap, that you can easily afford to do a test sculpture to get the hang of it (which isn't hard) or experiment (which is just fun). I've done similar techniques on sculptures with rock and wood for use in aquariums and vivariums, and it's easy and very satisfying.

[@MnemonicHeadTrip]

You can honestly do a lot of the jar stuff, minus maybe the ones with complicated pumps. It just takes patience and a real want to see the finished project. I love the process and the result of making them

[@dogalrorn]

I'm in awe how you manage to put weekly videos with new ideas. That's love and dedication.

[@gardenheiress1990]

Love this! I think it would be more finished looking if there were some small pebbles covering the white area under the arch tho. I always love your videos. Thank you so much for posting this!

[@jerzydoggo5817]

I agree with the pebbles on the bottom.

[@Canalan08]

Maybe a nice neutral grey or white pebble path sort of thing, mixed with a little sand.

[@sidraMPatty]

I agree. I like the arch but it seems a bit unfinished without scaping the floor of what would be some kind of natural setting for such a thing. Wish it had at least a sandy path with maybe some more lava rock pebbles scattered around.

[@eliot2283]

That's what I was thinking, although thought fine sand would look nice too.

[@calebringabell609]

i was thinking leca!

[@jaungiga]

*Tanner:* I don't know if your brain works like mine does but as soon as I saw this container I immediately thought one thing... *Me, a home baker:* Proofing box! *Tanner:* Pump reservoir. *Me:* Oh, yes, of course. Pump reservoir.

[@shadowscythes]

Another beautiful build, I always love self-watering things using moss. The only thing I see here that might improve it is to have a scape with some non-moss plants and gravel/sand or something like that in the lid so it forms a bit of a landscape around the arch, I think that would make it look a lot more cohesive.

[@ChwyBubbleGum]

the table top planter lookes AMAZING!

[@leneecasteel2005]

Hi Tanner!! I absolutely love the stark white of the container! I do find it a little jarring that you left the lid white also. I would like to have seen it covered with something, maybe small pebbles of the red lava rock, like it broke off and fell during the creation of the arch. Not your creation but as it would be in nature. Or a combination of sand and lava pieces. Something, just not the startling white lid. All that said, I love all the ideas you come up with and showing us how simple they can be to put together. Thank you Tanner and God Bless

[@shadowscythes]

I concur

[@janetrussell3288]

Interesting. I wonder if you could put a multi-arch in a vivarium to achieve a jungle reclaiming abandoned bridge effect, or tunnel entrance for a more fantasy effect. Thanks for another clever build!

[@sjldfilms5126]

My favorite coffee companion on Saturday morning. Thank you for sharing your art and amazing designs with us.

[@billymacaraeg7761]

first 😁✌️ could you do a build that is somewhat solar powered, or I think that could sustain energy by means of solar power? sustain the energy for filters, pumps and lights? and could it come with equipments to make it start in a small scale and a big scale as well, thanks again 🤩

[@kathycampbell8485]

I have a SMALL house! I move things around to try to make everything fit, not all "best" places have electric plugins. You're right, billy! Solar would be awesome!

[@garrickanderson5204]

@@kathycampbell8485 just as bad, my home has 1 power outlet for the entire outside and I would love a small pond but don't have the outlets to do it.

[@kathycampbell8485]

@@garrickanderson5204 no outside "working" outlet around the house but only one outside of my garage. I only have one working faucet outside. Makes things interesting sometimes 🤔

[@garrickanderson5204]

Oof that's rough!

[@fizzwidgy]

I thoroughly enjoy these simpler, micro build. And your ability to bring together a palette of plants and materials is always impressive.

[@bethcollier3789]

i think this creation is wonderful, i have an empty fish tank that will be given this treatment. thank you for the inspiration.

[@tastefulmoose]

these videos define the word chill

[@Anonymus-mt3dw]

Just imagine the look of a naturalistic Chinese Dragon. A green one with plant power for sure! 🐉

[@WillNace]

Summer really likes this one

[@se5908]

a wonderful small piece of creativity and craftsmanship - love it

[@pumpkinchow]

Came out absolutely stunning and another one of my favorites. I’m gonna try doing something similar in my bioactive enclosure for my red eyed crocodile skinks. Thanks for all your hard work and sharing your knowledge and most of all inspiring us to try new things 🙋‍♂️✌️

[@mariya_krasnaya]

Смотрю ваши видео с большим удовольствием! Спасибо за красоту!

[@Tomy_Yon]

All these creations come from a beautiful mind. ❤️🌱

[@arla.s720]

so mutch detail; really impressive 😀

[@dennisfeldmann7399]

Thanks again Tanner. Your videos are the very best. Much inspiration to try something on my own my wife keeps telling me I need to manage my retirement time just a little bit better so off to the craft store I go.

[@wafawaffles]

i always think i’m just gonna watch the decorating bit at the end but i ended up watching the whole thing, it’s so relaxing to watch you work! i loved the stark contrast with the container, making it look the arch appeared somewhere impossible 🔥

[@bleachsanchoblastk]

I really love this one. Fountain type displays are my favorite. The creeping fig is quickly growing on me. 😉 I really want to try something like this.

[@bonn9558]

It looks amazing!, you should definitely do a larger jungle vivarium with those arches!

[@scrummyvision]

some type of stonehenge arch would be cool! or other megalithic-type structures (gobekli tepe)

[@bmarie8965]

This Guy is gonna get work in Hollywood!

[@dominickf9944]

I saw the thumbnail for this yesterday and didnt watch it....last night i had a dream that you captured me and put me inside of this for skipping your video. Needless to say, here i am!

[@johnnyrodriguez5938]

Nothing like waking up to a Serpa video 💪🏽

[@Magic-komplexDe]

I really love the idea, but to be honest, using this plain white container makes it look a little sterile. I would have added tiny gravel at the bottom of the lid to make it look like a river bed. On top of that, one could use Gesso and paint to make the container itself look like it's out of stone as well. This would give the peace a more coherent look. But these are just ideas, anyway, I really enjoy watching your videos as they are always quite inspiring! ❣

[@Kelann08]

I thought the same thing. The white just doesn't do it for me. I'd also love to see an actual dirt or stone path running under the arch and some soil over the rest so it isn't just bare white. Painting the body of the container would have been great as well. The design is brilliant, but looks out of place on the basic white container.

[@bmassakah]

I thought the same thing but I would bet it’s probably Tanner trying a different approach to engage a different type of viewer. This isn’t his standard style and I think he is a smart guy who had all this in mind. I gotta imagine being a successful KZbinr takes some creative shifts here and there. Loved the video anyways as always!

[@bmarie8965]

It's his project not yours

[@Kelann08]

@@bmarie8965 No one said it wasn't. It's a discussion about how other people would do it differently. If you can't handle that kind of discussion, you aren't obligated to reply or read it.

[@kim99may]

Gorgeous moss build! Plant 🪴 rainbow 🌈

[@stephenandreu2217]

this is awesome I used this method to make structures in my aquarium, my cherry shrimp love it! thanks for the great ideas

[@dragon6irl]

I think this is one of my favorites in a while!

[@karenkennedy93]

Beautiful!! Looks like I'm going to start a new hobby 😉

[@_topshelf_5845]

Looks like something out of The Shire, really cool

[@MissChelle]

So lovely! Reminds me of a rainbow ❤️🇦🇺

[@manson2811]

I absolutely love this one! I can definitely see a tree frog or poison dart frog inclosure with these scattered like an old ruin! Very cool! Makes me want to try it! You totally keep it fresh when it comes to build and we are loving it!

[@DestinRugers.S]

"I don't know if your brain works how mine does, but as soon as I saw this container, I immediately thought one thing: PUMP RESERVOIR" That had me laughing for a good minute, had to like the video. You're a special guy Tanner, never change!

[@tomsgreengallery]

One of the coolest little builds I’ve ever seen you do.

[@hazonku]

My wife financed a whole new PC build for my birthday earlier this year & that's since spurred a journey to redo my entire space. One thing I really want both for my own calm while working & to get all the upvotes on r/battlestations is some sort of water/plant features. I already have some simple fake plants on little wooden hexagon shelves but I need to build some sort of amazing centerpiece that can live behind my PC desk on the wall. I'm definitely going to build one of these and couple of those self watering moss walls now.

[@humphreygobo6576]

All of your builds are friggin' awesome, but this one was friggin' friggin' awesome.

[@gamermickie]

This is something I would feel confident enough to tackle myself and it’s so cool!

[@CalamityKangaroo]

I absolutely love this design! I personally found it a little weird seeing lava rock, something that makes up the whole landscape here in “high desert” central Oregon, covered in such lush green! But again, this is absolutely stunning!

[@HikeIT]

It's a mix of Central and Western Oregon!

[@jerzydoggo5817]

The fern moss and creeping figs really tied it together. I love all your ideas!

[@araneuskahlo]

This might honestly be my favorite build to date!! It reminds me a lot of my local botanical garden!

[@jacobbrant2178]

That scape looks pretty awesome and simplistic

[@Dennismig]

I'm going to IKEA to get that box! Love this project as it is simple enough to try as a newbie.

[@sarahwatts7152]

It was cool to see the design process at work! Changing it to an arch was totally worth it

[@emilybitzel7242]

Excellent as always, Tanner. Thanks for your hard work and generous spirit.

[@jiggermole]

I can see this being really popular with someone with free flying parakeets. Something they can take a bath/shower in whenever they want and is easy to clean out regularly.

[@IrisCorven]

Absolutely love it. Only change I'd make if I were making it would be to fill in the lid with some pebbles/gravel, and maybe a couple outlying areas with extra moss to make it look like a part of a whole, as opposed to its own self-contained structure.

[@parmerapps69]

A vibrant and beautiful moss planter! 🙃If it were me personally (which it isn't, so don't heed my opinions), I would have added some pebbles to the bottom of the container to make everything look more cohesive, but the build looks fantastic as is. Also, thank you for showing us how a scape can evolve as we work with it! The way you "work with the garage door up" gives us a candid perspective on how you create your masterpieces, and that is much appreciated. ✌

[@willowthewisperer]

I love this build! It's cheap and simple and works perfectly! BEAUTIFUL!

[@JTSWebSeries]

Such an amazing build! "Pretty easy to make" is the biggest understatements I've heard in a while. 😆 As always, thank you so much for sharing with us. It is so therapeutic to watch you create these masterpieces and your narration and subtle music are the perfect recipe.

[@emmalinekim9822]

Personally, I love the contrast of the white box and the natral feature. I think it looks like something in a sci-fi movie!

[@blackosprey2219]

This could absolutely be a perfect feature piece in a terrarium. Thanks for the ideas!

[@GodisTruth914]

This is ssssooooooo adorable!!!! Great job Tanner!!!!

[@taylorcasillas4169]

Your builds are inspiring and your videos are so relaxing. Love what you do!

[@Thyme0365]

Yes! I love Ikea! It's silly I know, but I honestly enjoy just going there and getting oragnization stuff, I have those exact bins and all the sizes they come in! What a good use!

[@GiBByFRieD_ATX]

Thanks for this!! I've been trying to think of something I can grow orchids on that's self-watering and still allows the roots to breathe. This looks like the ticket.

[@AquaBenyStyle]

You always have a specific approach and it turns out beautifully 👍😀

[@BriarRouge]

Absolutely incredible! Gorgeous!

[@AannshaJones]

Simply beautiful!

[@markwilson4686]

I'm trying to scape a red lava rock arch for my niece's betta fish tank, and your scape makes me realize how much mine is lacking lol.

[@sandragee2864]

OMG! I have an unused of that very IKEA container. Your build has given me some inspiration.

[@vampgaia]

I wanna replicate this but on a larger scale. I like the way you repurpose items. Clever.

[@colemellera2097]

Serp I appreciate what you do man I got in a youtube deep dive and watched most of your vids in a couple weeks and tried my own local closed jar turned out eh but thank you for the inspiration and continued entertainment seeing how a pro does it. Keep it up I get hyped when I see a new video drop😎

[@deweydude]

incredible, relaxing vid. you're my new favorite youtuber!

[@mariannepletcher6920]

Nice to see 6 years!

[@finnwiggles28]

Wow, you've got me thinking and daydreaming, I would love something like this coming out of my shallow 3 gal betta tank, would really add a whole nother dimension. Thanks for another great build!

[@diversegardener392]

You've inspired so, so many people and I'm one of them congratulations on your future endeavors!

[@ReginaRegenbogn]

Beautiful! Reminds me of the brick wall, probably my favourite build if I had to pick just one.

[@donkeim434]

I would love to see this tied in to a vivarium - how you hide the box without allowing any nearby soil or plants to steal the water from the reservoir.

[@Blaubeere17]

I‘d love to see a mini series with an Ikea base (because you can get the same thing to recreate almost world wide) on a low(er) budget :) I love all of your videos btw!

[@luciekleen3240]

This turned out really beautiful.

[@VicRodriguez2]

Hell yeah. Right when I need a serpa vid. Keep it up bro. Your cosistency does not go unrewarded.

[@bobeardington4044]

I love your creeping oak leaf container

[@stevejenks9940]

love the bigger reservoir! might be a good way to give my moss wall another go

[@INGIE32]

Another absolutely stunning build. I love it!

[@TheCommenter1234]

I really enjoy the use of lava rock. For me, it is a bit more cost conscious. Great build and great video!

[@OptimumCartoonIsOK]

Love it! The fern moss was a very good option in my opinion, I use it in a lot of my terrariums.

[@themurrrr]

I think the fern moss and oak leaf creeping fig are my favorite recurring plants. They add to the miniature vibes.

[@ritadapainta]

OMG Tanner this is so cool! Another great idea and execution. Your art is such an inspiration to us, thank you!

[@ziabisoh1156]

How can any one say anything bad about your work. WOW again...

[@MarisaTerres]

Finally, something that looks like I can actually pull it off. I love your builds and dream of being able to create some of my own but I don't have the resources, time or space. I would love this on my desktop with a little lamp for the plants.. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@calebseay8461]

Very cool, can't wait to see how it progresses

[@briansilva6160]

This is something I will implement in my next vivarium build!

[@AnimeRoxorz13]

I would love to see a future enclosure with this kind if vibe! The red lava rock and vines is such a unique look that I think works so well 🌿🧱

[@lizzw4216]

Loved it! The arch was such a great idea

[@CrimsoNaga]

I have the same light for a homemade terraliving geometric terrarium. It's a great choice! Awesome build.

[@anitawessels3932]

This is so gorgeous build

[@tubepkn]

I like it very much, to the point that I am thinking about making one myself. But there is one thing I would add, and that is a nice wooden casing around the white plastic box. (edit: typo)

[@bobbyhall3636]

As always, thanks for the video! Now, something is different. More cinematic. In a GOOD way. BAM you knocked this one out of the park. This is such a clever idea. Impressive work, on the whole package.

[@CricketsMa]

You are so creative! You looked at the container and thought water pump. I, on the other hand, thought of small kitchen gizmos. No wonder my aquascapes look so generic. I love what you do with such simple objects!

[@jilioferraez2550]

Beautiful and elegant 👍

[@melodyrobbins82]

So cool. Definitely one of my favorites

[@carolebraswell982]

Another spectacular build! I absolutely love it!

[@generationia]

Excellent, particularly like using the design as a basis for a much larger vivarium structure in the future

[@b_bogg]

Nice !! Your channel has inspired me to make my own bio active terrarium and my green anoles love it as much as I do ! Thanks Serpa

[@anamourao2983]

Just beautiful. Would love to see you working with some mini orchids. 🤗🇵🇹🌱

[@chrissyosborne3879]

Beautiful!