Making The Best and Easiest DIY Aquariums From IKEA?

I've been repairing and building aquariums for many years now. Typically that involves cutting glass, so it's not necessarily the most accessible task around. That said, I've been trying to find a way to build custom rimless tanks, that don't involve cutting glass. I want DIY aquariums to be an option for everyone.
It took me awhile to discover a solution, but not long ago, I had a eureka while at IKEA. I realized that they sell a lot of good glass shelving that could be used to build aquariums. So, I got to work finding pieces that could fit together, and to my surprise, they had several sets that work!
In this video, I outline the entire process from start to end. I decided to cover every aspect of it because I've never explained the tank construction process in much detail. Sure, I've shown it a ton of time by now, but there are a lot of tricks that I generally leave out to make the video more concise. Anyway, you could use these techniques to build most glass tanks.
All three tank sizes require the items listed below in the material list. The shelves specific to make each size tank are listed separately. I discovered two additional sizes that weren't included in the video and included them below.
MATERIAL LIST
ASI Black Silicone - amzn.to/3UycHTb
EVA Foam - bit.ly/3r0jO9w
Scotch Masking Tape - thd.co/3r1RUK3
Utrusta Shelf, 15x14.75” (x1) - bit.ly/3Ssz5vw
TANK SIZES
Small Tank Kit (24 Gallons; 92 Liters)
Shelf, 30x14.75” (x2) - bit.ly/3r4Qe2C
Large Tank Kit (29 Gallons; 111 Liters)
Shelf, 36x14.75” (x2) - bit.ly/3R3rEK0
Nano Tank Kit (14Gallons; 53 Liters); not included in video
Shelf, 18x14.75” (x2) - bit.ly/3BEFsVO
Extra Small Tank Kit (19 Gallons; 72 Liters); not included in video
Shelf, 22x14.75” (x2) - bit.ly/3fih1Wn
Learn More in my Blog
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#aquarium #diy #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

I've been trying to figure out how to make DIY rimless glass aquariums more accessible for awhile. I don't think it gets much easier than this! I was able to build the additional tanks in about 15 minutes each, so I kid you not when I say these are very easy to make. Plus, they're a very cost effective way to get a beautiful rimless tank. As I said in the video, links for the products are in the description. Enjoy and have a great weekend SerpaSquad!

[@datgaydangernoodle1315]

:)

[@treizy743]

💞💞

[@Valryas]

Is it strong enough to hold that amount of water with that thickness without any additional support? I've had not so great experience making my own and since then i entrust it to the glass maker

[@hmfiona123]

@@Valryas tempered glass is very strong,like he said

[@markdimilia559]

Thanks for another great video! Hope you're doing well with the move and everything. I've been wanting to try building an aquarium I've built terrariums but nothing with glass. Really considering trying this out. Thanks again!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

I have never found anyone on KZbin who explains anything as clearly as you do. Thanks again.

[@jumbowana]

Check out engineering explained. He'll put you to sleep with details.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

@@jumbowana 😄Thanks. Next time I have coffee before bed I’ll look him up!😂

[@Alexredbluegreen]

@@TerryMcGearyScotland another good "I have accidentally put stimulants into my body but need to sleep" is fire of learning. Very in depth historical explanations ranging from Mesopotamia to medieval Europe to ancient India. Learn AND get put to sleep

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

@@Alexredbluegreen 😁Also sounds good to me!🙏

[@voltsnbolts8879]

@@Alexredbluegreen Thank you!

[@AckoMunze]

Went to Ikea, bought the shelves for the largest 29G size, followed your instructions and my first ever DIY tank is now happily hosting the new hillstream aquascape. Fantastic video, foolproof, no prior experience in building tanks needed whatsoever. Awesome job with the video! Thank you sir!!!

[@arwinvicente]

Which section of ikea you saw this glass and what size is the small side glass.

[@DomoKunLove]

how much was total cost?

[@jesse0M]

Any update on yours ?

[@laurieb3703]

Yay!!!!🎉

[@cmoreno12345]

Awesome

[@Cravos060290]

if I may give you a good advice: I've been working as a plumber for 16 years now and it makes adding and working on silicone insanely cleaner and easier is to use a tapwater dishsoap mix and use a popsicle wood grip to scrape off the still wet silicon way cleaner than wi9th a pen or finger. By using these two things I made super clean and beautiful silicone sealings in new bathrooms for many years.

[@bangkokstallion]

As a glazier silicone beads like that give me nightmares. Awesome method you have their sir!

[@MannyRDH]

Stone fabricator here and yes soapy water is king

[@janred94]

How is the soapy water used? Doesnt it prevent the silicone from sticking to the glass if it goes in between?

[@Cravos060290]

First apply the silicone to the glass corners properly then use a spray bottle with an whatever 20/80 mixture of dish soap and 80% water. Spray it on the silicone and scrape it off with your finger or spoon. the dishsoap stops the silicone to stick to your hands or other places where you don't want it. if your line of silicone is properly done then it wond reach under it. @@janred94

[@lisaenglert3202]

Sorry but what do you mean using a popsicle wood grip? Do you mean you use a stick with the soapy water to smooth the bead? Thx

[@rodjsy6363]

Hi, I have built tanks professionally in the past and have the following comments. Its quite important to have a spacer between the two bits of glass being siliconed. This has the function of producing a structural joint with the ability to move. Its too hit and miss to not use spacers. We used some plastic sticks about 1.5mm thick. These would be placed either end to space the glass, removed the next morning and the holes filled with fresh silicone. This joint becomes structural and ensures the glass does not touch, important if the tank is large and has to be moved. A smaller joint allows no movement and can tear causing failure. It might be good to make a video with different joint spacings to see how easy a small joint fails? I was often repairing tanks damaged during shipping where the glass had been bonded touching and a slight impact would break the glass. A note on tempered glass, its immensely strong but shatters into millions of pieces when broken. More reason to space the glass with a structural joint as tempered glass is susceptible to edge damage and failure. We always sat the side glass on the bottom pane and not in front. Im not sure if there is a defenite reason for this but i think a shear joint is stronger. Please dont take any of my comments as critisisim, you do a great job. I am also from the other side of the pond so things may be done differently here! Thanks Rod

[@callusklaus2413]

Thank you so much for saying so Rod! What do you use for a spacer exactly? I live in a dorm, and move about once every year, so this is very relevant to me. How wide does the spacer have to be?

[@rodjsy6363]

@@callusklaus2413Hi Klaus, its good to hear from you. We used some thin polycarbonate packers about 1.5mm thick. You could use some plastic cut from maybe a icecream tub or plastic container, its good to have 3 layers as you can then pull the middle one out and the other two will pull out easily. maybe 8mm wide would be ideal. I was wondering about 3d printing some wedges which would pull out easily due to the taper. I have repaired some big tanks in the past broken in shipping, always damaged because the glass was bonded without a joint.

[@koenigmoo]

I've only ever built one tank, and that was in the previous millennium when I was a teenager. I don't remember where I got the instructions, probably a magazine. Printed on paper, imagine that. And yes, the instructions said to use spacers, and I did. The advice for the joints was the opposite, though - to put the side panels on the outside of the bottom, because the linear pull was easier on the joints than the shear force (sides sitting on top of the bottom being pushed out, off of the bottom plate). However, the glazier that I went to said that he'd always cut the aquarium panels so that the sides sit on top of the bottom, and I didn't want to argue with him, so that's what he did, and that's how I built the tank. It worked just fine. The tank never leaked, but then again, it was only 50 L. I do remember that if I put my finger on the bottom seam, I could feel the side plate being slightly further out than the bottom, which seemed a bit alarming, but like I said, I had no problems. This Ikea method does both, by necessity. The front and back are outside of the bottom, and the sides are on top. That way, the shelf measurements fit without cutting. I would guess it's okay for the sizes available (80 cm is the longest shelf). To the people commenting on the different measurements in different countries: I should think it always works, since the height and the depth of the tank is always the same, the depth of the Ikea shelving system. I'm in Finland, and here, Ikea lists the measurement as 37 cm. So that's the depth and height of the tank, and the length is 30, 40, 60 or 80 cm (volumes 40, 53, 80 or 106 L).

[@neeshooff704]

@@rodjsy6363 Hey there I'm thinking of building a couple of 10 gallons to begin with and then later build a 29 gallon. But the issue is that all the shops near my area place allthe 4 glasses on top of the bottom and that's how I will build it. Would it affect the safety of the aquarium? I will use 4mm glass for the 10 gallon and 6mm for the 29g. Do i have to place something on top between the front and back glass panels like a piece of glass for stability? Also, I didn't fully understand the spacer thing. Why does it matter?

[@steviemichelle7271]

@@neeshooff704 the spacers allow for a bigger cushion of silicone between each glass panel. With the spacers, there’s a slight separation of the panels during application of the silicone. Once the first application cures, the spacers are removed, and the holes where they once were are then filled with silicone as well (then allowed to cure as well). Think of it as sort of the way our spines work. Between each vertebrae is a disc of cartilage. When a cartilage disc in the spine slips or gets broken, it causes two vertebrae to touch, bone on bone. It’s very damaging, because the two bones shouldn’t be touching. We need the cushion of the cartilage between them. The glass panels are sort of like our vertebrae, and the silicone is the cushion between them. The thinner the area of silicone between the two pieces of glass, the closer the glass pieces are to one another. If there’s a spot where they touch, any small vibration could cause the glass to shatter. I think this guy did a great job and I subbed because of this video, but the advice here is sound, especially if someone might need to move their tank in a vehicle where lots of vibration happens.

[@ndjones8856]

You know what, Tanner. You are incredibly talented. You are so patient, clear, and concise. All of your videos are just a pleasure to watch, but things like this remind me why you are probably my favorite that I watch in the hobby. You explain exactly why you do what you do, consistently. You aren't afraid to talk about the complications with projects and you set things out pretty realistically for those who are just starting, whether it is the older moss and terrarium builds, or the newer, more complex paludariums and vivariums. You also have made this to show that you can make tanks without cutting glass! That's so neat! One of these days, I will be brave enough to make my own tank. And you will be the one to blame for that.

[@tigertoxins584]

I love tanners no nonsense approach, he's not aggressive but the way he lays down common sense in an easy to understand and soft spoken way is great!

[@MizuSky]

As someone who's in Australia with this hobby being ridiculously expensive, I am so happy to see this!

[@SungWookMin]

me too, I was thinking this way every time I go to ikea but wasnt sure about it but happy to find someone finally works this way

[@biggerman6002]

i feel your pain even the plants are overpriced

[@laurag1076]

Yep. So over priced compared to what we see on these channels from overseas hey.

[@MizuSky]

@@biggerman6002 Thats if you can even find the plants half the time!

[@strider5119]

Start out small and grow your own stuff. Start with less fish and breed to the number you want. Buy one of the plants you want, trim and replant it, or give it time to spread. I fully carpeted a shrimp tank with 2x tissue cultures which cost me $16 total. I spread it out and gave it time to spread

[@gwendolyncardente1727]

I want this guy to explain how to do EVERYTHING. He includes the “how” AND the “why” for each step but is concise enough that you don’t jump to fast forward through details you may already know (and miss something you don’t). Excellent details like the tape end tab/ tape end release chain - there is nothing more satisfying than getting to the end of a project and having the time you invested in prep paying off.

[@011y89]

As a tip for self leveling foam . Yoga mats can be purchased from charity/thrift shops for cheap! A couple layers of that will do the job and will be enough to do multiple tanks for only a few dollars

[@candilc]

That's exactly what i was thinking!!!

[@anonamoss78]

i use sheets of polystyrene

[@grahamepigney8565]

Layers of polystyrene that is intended to go behind wallpaper will do the job.

[@jbekkers1983]

@@anonamoss78 Word of warning... I used polystyrene but had an issue with tiny ants digging into the foam to build a nest. Ultimately this caused a problem for my tank with one corner sagging ever so slightly causing a weight imbalance. I didn't notice until the damage was done.

[@yeomanbasket]

I’ve been interested in making large aquascapes and paludariums but what holds me back is how expensive rimless tanks are especially once you get into the 20+ range so this is extremely helpful and encouraging for me as someone who works min wage but still yearns to get into the hobby.

[@vituperation]

IKEA? Not having to cut glass? Tanner, you're speaking my language. Using IKEA shelves is a perfect, accessible way for a lot of people to start making their own tanks! Thank you for the guide and I am _immediately_ saving it to my playlist of resources. If anyone reading is interested, here's a couple ideas that are even cheaper (or at least they were. Your inflation may vary 😉). Getting custom-cut sheets of glass from a glass cutter shop is actually way cheaper than I thought. It's a little cheaper than buying the IKEA shelves. Just make sure to ask to have the edges sanded and take into account the thickness of the panels of glass when giving the measurements. Absolutley feel free to ask them for help. Almost every shop I've been to has been super cool. Also, I recommend ¼" glass for anything 20 gallons and above, up to probably 50-ish. There are glass strength guides to show how thick the glass should be to hold the amount of water you want online you can look at. It's easy enough for basic tanks and always err on the side of caution. If you're making a tank with bigger panels, _then_ I would absolutely recommend taking the time to do some back-of-the-envelope calculations on what thickness and bracing you'll need. For standard aquarium shapes and sizes, it's not a concern but it doesn't hurt to take a lesson from Tanner and over-engineer 🤓 My second tip, for anyone living in the contiguous United States, is even cheaper. Petco runs a quarterly (that's every three months 🧐) sale on their aquariums. You can pull those apart and reassemble them as rimless. Or just pull the top rim off. Only do this for tanks that *don't* have a brace across the middle unless you plan to replace the brace with your own. Be careful when disassembling the tanks! I have cut myself more than a few times because I wanted to save the top plastic rim. Don't. It's not worth it. Acetone will also soften this plastic up and make it easy to pull apart. Just mind the acetone doesn't get on the lower rim if you plan to keep that. Best part here is you don't even need to reseal! You can also save the panes of glass for custom shapes. Slide a box cutter/utility knife/razor/sword into the gaps between glass panes and slide it down to cut the seals. Remember to go back and scrape every scrap of silicone off the edges to make a clean reseal. I'm currently sketching out a plan for a hexagonal tank made from 20 gal. panels 😀 Oh, and as a bonus tip, because a lot of people are intimidated by resealing tanks, it's easy to get cheap, leaking tanks from online listings, thrift stores, and even some local pet stores that don't want to bother. I once salvaged a leaking 35 gal. bow-front I bought for $20 😏

[@stroopwafelfalafel]

awesome!

[@radiationshepherd]

Isn't there a risk of used tanks exploding?

[@PaulZyCZ]

@@radiationshepherd It depends on the maker and how they were used. I know some aquarium KZbinrs had mostly positive view on used tanks. I wouldn't trust aquariums with thin glass and it could use an expert eye first. Lot of people bought used tanks with great success. Some had problems and even flooded their house. But in LFS here a 19 gal. costs about 38 $ (997 CZK to be exact), made from Belgium float, so it's rather moot point in my case.

[@theman6910]

@@radiationshepherd you tap the edge of any piece of glass it goes boom. tempered glass the weak point it on the polished edges... but you can punch the face of it and hurt your hand... I personally would add some sort of protection on the edges... and maybe a cross support piece across the top.

[@ollieworth7341]

my favourite thrift was a leaky 125 gallon with a teeny crack in the bottom near a corner. they were asking 50 canadian and i got it for 30 i was happy dancing the whole way home. i sealed that bad boy best i could at a glass-cutters, went there to figure out if it was salvageable or if the crack would end that panel but she holds water !!! had it for 3 years now and shes still going strong. even if it couldnt hold water id have used it for reptiles or something like that because that was a steal,,, my family makes fun of me for stalking buy-and-sell ads for cheap tanks but i cant help myself. screw paying like 200 bucks for a 20 gallon tank man my best friend dumpster dives at the pet stores,, shes been there so much that she knows all the managers in the area and most have given her a dumpster key or will leave it accessable for her. she gets tanks, cages, toys, brand new everythings out of there just because it had a tiny, very fixable defect thats usually just cosmetic. it all goes to her rescue, and im grateful they let her do it, but not every store will be friendly to you stealing their trash thank you so much for the info tho !! i never thought of breaking down old tanks to just,,,make my own dream tank

[@j0hnf_uk]

One good resource for plate glass, is to go to your local glazier ask if they have any 6 millimetre salvage. These are old shop windows that have had their corners knocked off, or are sufficiently large pieces which they keep when replacing them. They're ideal for making aquariums or providing divisions in existing aquariums, and costs less than buying shelving from Ikea. The glazier will even round the edges for you, for free. It's not a difficult process, though. You just rub glass paper over the edge to remove any potential sharpness.

[@callusklaus2413]

Damn, that's amazing, thanks for the tip! I'm in university and on a shoe string budget. I harvest oak leaves, boil them, and bake substrate in the oven harvested from my parent's farm for reference to the amount of cheap behavior I get up to. I have been itching to get these beautiful rimless aquariums, but I have been discouraged by the price. I think I'm going to give this a try, it's a hundred dollar gamble, but that is incredible value if I can get it to work, and even less if I can find surplus from a glass business.

[@neeshooff704]

@@callusklaus2413 How'd it go ? Would love to hear from you!

[@private-lurkingcluelessnes1740]

@@callusklaus2413did it go well for you? I’m considering attempting a diy tank myself

[@Ishiisan]

IKEA is going to be wondering why these glass shelves are selling so well lol

[@sourcererseven3858]

much better than the shelve bodies they slot into 😂

[@contactjd]

Explains why the shelves for their kitchens are always our of stock

[@Merecir]

Then it will only be a matter of time before they sell an aquarium kit. After all, it is self assembly. 😁

[@turtlejeepjen314]

SO TRUE!!!!🙂🙂

[@mikefinley4367]

Unfortunately, the more in sales the price increases and With item /product tracking in common use I'm sure they have caught on. What drives me nuts is people finding a deal and bragging online which provides advertising and product sales and results in price increases. Absolutely everything is !monitored through Google, Apple. Microsoft & social media platforms and the data for sale. You'd be shocked at what's sold and of value to retailers, researchers of every kind including medical and psychological. I laugh at surf the met without being tracked software sales ... it doesn't exist because if it did National Security would have it banned immediately unless a link for them is given. Facebook provides a open back door for the feds to access and monitor and it seems common sense the others do as well. Welcome to The emerging New World Order brought to you by psychotic control freaks for one world govt.

[@doha057]

This channel deserves sponsorship from all the products that has been used here, especially from IKEA. One of the best DIY video I have seen in KZbin.

[@Blaubeere17]

I’d love if you keep up with this Ikea series because it is available pretty much anywhere. How about trying to scape one with Ikea plants?

[@KChow-nb1pz]

heck yeah the ikea near where i live has monstera, pothos, philodendron and peace lilies, which could probably make a banger riparium

[@ghostsecosystem]

Ikea has these amazing glass cabinets (Rudsta) that would make an amazing enclosure if sealed properly

[@thatdemmedpimpernel]

Well said

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

I wish we had an IKEA near me lol

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

@@ghostsecosystem the greenhouse enclosures? Ive seen some cool stuff done with those

[@tracybroughman1819]

Have to say it also this guy is the best .he talk clear and covers every thing .thank you for making DYI better for anyone

[@DJELPSS]

Just an idea for the silicone bead. From some other DIY channels I follow, they use a clay modelling ball tool to create a clean, consistent bead. And since the metal ball contacts the glass, when the silicone cures you can just peel up the excess.

[@thmo_]

Simple and effective, i gotta remember that when I try to build my first tank. Thanks for this great trick!

[@reptileman262]

Modustrial Maker uses one when he makes molds for cement or resin pours. Super clean.

[@andyholland2120]

A tip from home DIY silicone in bathrooms/showers etc..... if you give the silicone bead a spray with soapy water (dish soap) then run your finger along it, you get a much cleaner and nicer fillet on the bead. If you are going to water test the tank anyway then the small amount of dish soap is going to get washed away and isn't going to be a problem.

[@noosebrother]

@@andyholland2120 seen the guy that did our bathroom use a little wooden spatula with a rounded off tip. and lots of soapy water. it prevents the "rustic" look of the silicone.

[@thombaz]

I use silicone spatulas, You can buy it in sets with different radiousis or different size cut edges.

[@paulineferrill4348]

This is great! I grew up always hearing Ikea was awful but as an adult I find that it’s better to see their hardware as a blank slate perfect for customizing, or in this case, repurposing. Genius!

[@lovefolster9465]

the smashing glass to illustrate tthe dangers of working with glass is the most 50s-educational-video cute thing i*ve seen all week

[@gwendolyncardente1727]

I admit I almost bailed at that point, and only kept watching to see if it would turn out to be horrifically funny. If it weren’t for my dark sense of humor I wouldn’t now know how to make an aquarium 😂

[@clavis9029]

For anyone trying to do this for the first time, I can't stress enough how important this 7:36 step is. The bigger the tank, the trickier it gets to apply your silicone fast enough to get a good looking finish before it starts being problematic. This is mainly an issue as an esthetic point of view though, as any mistakes could be fixed by removing excess or applying more silicone afterwards to ensure it's watertight. Doing this correctly though will save you time and trouble and give you a really clean finish look that you wouldn't be able to get otherwise. Planing ahead is the key for this step. Also I'd like to point out that removing the masking tapes before the silicon dries up will save you a lot of headaches. This will prevent you from having to remove tapes that get stuck under dried silicone or in worst case scenario peeling out perfectly good beads of silicone forcing you to patch it up. Hope this helps!

[@renandoprasetyo5538]

This is a good tips thx

[@ceciliacarlsson9334]

I’m probably weird, but every time I see someone do something awesome with IKEA products, I’m proud to be a Swede 😂

[@Pollenoverponds]

I really appreciate that you included ALL of the supplies. I see so many DIY videos that assume you own stuff that I sometimes don’t! This was a really complete and helpful video and I am super grateful!

[@davidlawlor4317]

I'm forwarding this to our training department. It's an outstanding example of training step by step.

[@thmo_]

This comment section is a gold mine. Tons of budget ideas, from leveling mats to silicone trick. I love the community you build Tanner!

[@connorg7930]

Hey tanner, you probably already know but if you dip your finger in some soapy water as well as lightly spraying the silicone before you wipe it, you'll get a better finish. It's what we use when we install bathroom furniture. You can also buy a caulking tool that you can use instead of your finger which will get you precise beads of different sizes!

[@madcap7034]

Spray with soapy water and wipe in with paddle pop stick gives an awesome even finish

[@Alexredbluegreen]

DIY ecospheres and aquariums have become such a fun hobby for me and my son thanks to this channel. Anytime I see a thrift store I gotta go check the glass section out to see if there's something to work with. Instead of having a bunch of weird tacky art pieces I've got a house full of living breathing pieces of art. Thanks for all the inspiration!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

That’s my aim in future. 😄

[@CasildaChenier]

can u share some of your creations?

[@Telthecelt]

@@CasildaChenier Good idea!

[@serenaewinger8947]

You literally add every small detail to make things as easy and seamless as possible. An absolute hero

[@parmerapps69]

This video would have been an epiphany when I was constructing my first paludarium tank! While my tank came out satisfactorily, I could have saved hours of research, planning, and razor blade scraping if I had this guide. So many amatuer DIYers will benefit from this video in big ways, including myself! Your calm, clear, and concise teaching method is just what this artform needs. I have a feeling that these next few months will be a very exciting time for this channel. 😄

[@James_Hande]

I've been building and repairing aquariums since the early 70's. This was the best and easiest how-to video I have seen. Absolutely awesome video Tanner! Thank you for sharing. 👍

[@starwarswannabes285]

Since you are someone who knows what they doing, can you please tell me why not having a frame wouldn’t cause it to leak? Is it due to the size? If so, at what size do you need a frame? I am asking because I have a 150 gallon 48”x24” aquarium that has a slow leak on the side seam. The original top frame broke at the center piece that goes from front to rear. That center support missing I believe is the cause for my leak. Any idea on how I could repair it? I can’t find that size frame to simply replace it.

[@James_Hande]

@@starwarswannabes285 First I would really clean were that seam leaked. Taking the entire seal off down to bare glass. If the tank is quite old I would reseal all the inside seams. The reason for the plastic frames, especially on bigger tanks utilizing center supports, is to prevent the glass from bowing out under pressure. Manufactures use the thinnest glass they can get away with since it's cheaper than using much thicker glass. As far as repairing the missing support on the top frame you have a few options. Two of the easiest would be either finding a strip of plastic and plastic weld it into place. Or get an aluminum strip from a hardware store and use epoxy to attach it in place. Of course test the connections by hand first making sure it's fairly strong.

[@starwarswannabes285]

@@James_Hande Thanks. With that center support missing for so long it may be bowed, but I can’t tell looking at it visually. So if I reseal the seams, and create that center support, I may be in luck. The glass on mine is pretty thick about 1/2 in. The only other issue I will have is that the tank is about 31” tall. That is longer than my arm length so resealing it will present a challenge masking it and caulking it. I will see if I am find any videos of how that would be done without actually getting in the tank and risking breaking the glass.

[@James_Hande]

@@starwarswannabes285 Could always lay it on it's back on something soft and flat. Easier to reach in.

[@MiriamStrawberries]

Just want to say a quick thank to You! With your previous videos I now have the "know how" to cut glass for terrariums, and I've saved quite a good money, plus got to use old terrariums that would otherwise go to waste. Keep up the good work teaching us, and usin materials you already have - we don't need any more waste in this world. Your work is awesome!

[@HedonisticHalfling]

This is one of, if not the best, thorough, and fool proof DIY instructional videos I've seen. Love how you went through each step concisely and even make mentions of steps or details that could go without saying but benefit those who would not have thought of some of the little things. Thanks for an amazing video!

[@brokenspade3212]

I really like how detailed he is in his instructions,good job broski!!!

[@hmfiona123]

Same

[@steve-adams]

Thank you. My tank has been built and thriving for months. I didn’t do a perfect job, but despite mistakes it still looks great and works perfectly. To anyone having any doubts, I’d say don’t worry. This is a fairly forgiving project with huge rewards.

[@Chinesetakeout382]

I’ve always loved how this channel has something for every body who’s interesting in making a naturalistic terrarium, vivarium, or aquarium. There’s so many resources and information for new people in the hobby, but also a lot of advanced ideas and tips for more experienced members of the community. I only started making naturalistic enclosures for all my animals because your channel made it seem easy to approach. This video is no exception.

[@heathergarrison8189]

Bless you for this😅 I work at a pet store and the prices on the rimless tanks hurt my heart, but they’re soooo beautiful! I’ve been hunting for a way to create my own but I have no way to cut glass with confidence and it’s so expensive! This is incredible!!!

[@het10baugh]

Now we just need a matching Ikea aquarium stand 😁

[@bigbonk3841]

Was thinking the same. I was considering using one of those square cube shelves, but the material seemed/felt like it wont support 150lb+ of water. Luckly hardwood 1x4, and milk creates work just fine

[@znail4675]

TV benches should make OK aquarium stands.

[@OregonOutdoorsChris]

Lots of their furniture will work, but the material they use soaks up water like a sponge through the unfinished sides, ie. often the feet. So if you had some skills to encase the feet in a shell of polyurethane, silicone, or epoxy of some sort it would work great.

[@mondayschmitt9706]

I use a hemnes 3 drawer dresser for my 20L. The kallax (cube shelves) are hollow and unless you frame it in something like ply wood I would be very nervous to put tanks on it. I have many kallax and made one into a bench. They are fairly wobbly. A trofast in their pine would be solid though

[@PaulZyCZ]

I've seen pictures of aquariums on modified Ikea boxes, but it seemed bit off. Kitchen cabinets (lower) with a solid counter desk over it would be fine. Most pre-made aquarium stands are made from the laminated chipboards anyway, despite (painted/stainless) steel and massive wood being better options.

[@josephines.creatures]

About a year ago I was very inspired by your channel to create a terrarium for the plants that need higher humidity. I was able to find a used fish tank that had a small crack on it, but for my purposes it didn't matter. But it had a metal rim on it keeping it together. I spent 5 HOURS trying to separate the glass from the rim, I managed to remove two of the pains, but I had to give up on it, because to be able to remove the rest of them I would have had to brake the glass. Its been sitting partially dissembled for a YEAR! But this idea of using Ikea shelves is genius! I'm gonna toss the old project and TRY THIS instead!!

[@Broodsnijplank]

Hey Tanner, thanks for the extended explanation. I used a previous video to repurpose an old aquarium by cutting glass and turning it into a shallow tank. I would not have been able to do so without your excellent guidance. Cheers!

[@MandyMichels]

I've had Ikea glass shelves that I kept from a bookshelf I owned years ago. I've been wanting to make an aquarium out of them for the longest time but didn't know how to go about it. When I saw your video pop up I was super excited! You explained it so well and gave me the confidence to try it. And today, I did! I always enjoy and appreciate your content.

[@wonder777warrior6]

awesome! what size is it? and what are u going to stock it with:)?

[@MandyMichels]

@@wonder777warrior6 Thanks! It's about a 20 gallon tank. I'm still deciding on what fish I'll get, but it'll be freshwater and will have live plants.

[@ericsooy5430]

Progress?

[@MandyMichels]

@@ericsooy5430 All is well! I've had fish and live plants in it for about a year now. Really glad I did it 🙂

[@mandyminshull2351]

That’s really cool. I’m sure I’d get pretty stressed trying to get it all together, but it’s an amazing way to build your own tank without the worry of having to buy and cut glass to size

[@luthmhor]

Just FYI to those who go to Ikea, the dimensions listed for the shelves are for the SYSTEM, not the shelves themselves. To get the actual dimensions you have to click on the measurements.

[@samb1055]

Oh my god, THANK YOU! I've been trying forever to figure out how the pieces fit together without the side panels being 1/2" taller than the back/front, and this is why. They end up being 1/8 shorter than the back/front, which is exactly what we see in the video.

[@cyndifalk]

Wow! I was just saying that I'd like to upgrade my 20 gallon to rimless and trying to justify the cost- thank you so much for showing us how to do it - Now I just have to be brave!!

[@SacredSerpentry]

This has to be the most thorough and effective video ever made. I could have never heard of an aquarium before watching this and now have 20 years experience because I did.

[@ghomerhust]

fantastic tutorial! and finding those glass shelves for THAT price is SO much cheaper than getting cut glass. ill be using this for ALL of my future custom sized tanks for sure!

[@sarahmay3852]

This man should be a professor because he did not miss one thing! I am so excited to do this.

[@bera2955]

I have a number of aquariums, I'm a teacher and before I started teaching I worked at a factory and used a caulk gun for hours every day. I am nothing short of amazed after having watched this video. You make this project easy to understand and explain every detail in the most simple way possible. At no point did you talk down to the viewer even in the slightest. This is by far the most approachable DiY-project on YT. Just out of curiosity; have you tried using a caulk gun powered by an air compressor? I find them to be the best option for consistensy.

[@rockfella27]

It's not as easy as it looks trust me 🤣

[@Mesmerise.]

I've been a subscriber for yeeeaaaars. But I'm a cat-keeper person, not reptile/fish-keeper person. However! I wanted to build terrarium for my plants to prevent them from being eaten by cats. And you just saved me, after months of searching (because there are no high terrariums with width equal to narrow window-sills & people don't want to ship big fragile glass rectangles) and planning (first I wanted to craft wooden somewhat-shelves using some mesh/wires that'd protect my green babies). I'm not kidding. It has been MONTHS in thinking, searching, prototyping, failing & losing hope in my spare time. Jesus... And I just somehow missed this video... Thank you very very very much, you made my day & will increase quality of my life soon ;^;

[@roxisone]

Excellent video! Finding the glass and providing detailed instructions makes it possible for anyone to buid a tank. Thank you Tanner!!

[@roxisone]

@serpadesign is above realy from you?

[@KandKAquatics]

Awesome! We've done a DIY aquarium ourselves, and a pond too. Not from IKEA though, we ordered the glass ourselves and built it into a cabinet. Great to see how other people did it, great tips!

[@dietere.puchta9688]

Little tip aside: dipp your finger in some dishwashing detergent before you flatten the silicone. It makes it easier, with a cleaner result.

[@jryddle]

Ge recently changed their 100% silicone to be mold resistant. Apparently they put a low enough amount of the chemical into the silicone they can call it 100% still. Just wanted to toss that out there though. The new tube is not the same as the older ones. I have had a full tank loss after adding some rocks I had siliconed together. They had a 5 day cure before going in.

[@mkuhnactual]

I wonder if that contributed to the price increase.

[@jryddle]

@@mkuhnactual is possible. I think it was around the same time that I got the first danger tube.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

Thanks for a fantastic video. You have excellent teaching skill. This is by far the best video on the subject I have seen. For those who make aquaria less often than the video maker, a nail inserted in the nozzle before taping will leave an open channel in slightly hardened, plugged nozzles, when the nail is removed. Also, I find that duct tape with metal aluminum foil will prevent hardening of the silicon better than plastic fabric duct tape.

[@IrradiatedFeline]

Very good video! Didn't know those tanks weren't standard. You can't get anything else here in germany. Only thing i do sometimes is retrace the corners with silicone when the seals look flimsy. One had clear silicone and i went over with black. Looked quite good.

[@straightupdown6489]

Someone truly for the people. Thank you Father Serpa♥️

[@yourikoschack4916]

Great idea ! But unfortunately for me (in france) ikea dont sell the same sizes as for you in the US.. Here you can only find 30 or 40 or 60 or 80 x 37cm, which means you'll have to cut a bit off whatever tank size you choose. Your 15x14 3/4" save you from that issue. I suppose it's the same problem everywhere in europe.

[@nala6620]

I was lucky and found a 60X30cm shelf in another shop to go with the 30X37cm and 60X37cm from IKEA. Maybe you'll find something, too.

[@MrSonnyjack]

Im also from Europe. Have you cheked the „nordli“ glasses? 80 x 47 and 40x47 would fit? Or how should the Europe cm pieces be? Thanks

[@yourikoschack4916]

@@MrSonnyjack same problem, there's no piece for the sides, in this case you'll need a 47x46.5

[@jockeparty]

Yeah this sucks a little

[@MrSonnyjack]

@@jockeparty yes and unfortunatly the ikea glasses can`t be cut right? Due to securty glass? Otherwise i would try to cut the big one for two side parts..

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

You single-handedly answered a question that has been burning in my mind. "Can I use prebuilt glass shelves to make an aquarium?". New to the hobby and have only been doing Nano Tanks. Thanks to you I got buy in from my wife to build one!

[@Dustybaer]

Great video, very informative, as always. Unfortunately, the Utrusta shelve dimensions are different in Germany. We don't have the 15"x14 3/4" one, so it doesn't work here. Learned a lot from this video nonetheless.

[@grahamepigney8565]

Use the metric sizes and it does work. I am building two tanks based on the 60cm and 80cm Utrusta shelves. There will be a small excess on the width of the sides (.7cm) but that can be hidden at the back of the aquarium.

[@Dustybaer]

@@grahamepigney8565 Good idea, I didn't think of that

[@wassim9763]

Same in Australia. It's cheaper to get glass cut to size anyway from a glass supplier. Just give the dimensions to them, account for glass thickness!

[@gzbanazir]

I can FINALLY get a tall aquarium, they're super hard to find and the ones i find are always so expensive or just like 5-10 gallons!! Thank you so much for this!!

[@t_s4500]

I’ve all ways wanted to make a aquarium because of your video’s keep up the hard work!!!!

[@christianhunt7382]

this is literally a 100% walk through. thanks Tanner! i know how im going to build my first aquarium rack

[@pikor69]

In Ikea UK, glass shelves does not contain combination of sizes which can give you a box.

[@justbecauseican0018]

Thanks! The silicone application is just what i was looking for as I need to re-silicone a tank! Didn't know the tube lasted as long as it did, Hopefully my 55gal wont need more then 1 or 2.

[@texom7845]

How you managed to keep the height of the front and side panels the same? Correct me if I’m wrong. Both panels are 14 inches wide, the side panels are 15 inches high and lie on the top of the bottom panel and the front panel on the side of this panel. Sorry for my English, I was trying make it clear but you know guys 😂

[@amelliamendel2227]

I think he is compensating for that with the thickness of the caulking @ 11:41 You can see that they don't line up

[@kathydoro1527]

Buying tanks in Australia is so expensive. I am going to give this a try. I will go for a drive to my local IKEA and see if I can pick up some small glass shelves and practice. Thank you so much for the inspiration.

[@clarkesminifishroom6010]

Great work. I’m a bit confused, all your panels measure 14.5. So how do the side sit on top of the base and still come to the same height as the front and back.

[@williamjansson]

Exactly, how did he managed that? What did we miss?

[@ipunsk]

It's not the same height! You could realize in 11:40 and in other parts when he is gluing it up. The difference should be approx. 4mm. I was wondering the same because the measurements of Ikea Germany are different. The missmatch here would be 22mm! Sadly no "no-cutting" solution then...

[@grahamepigney8565]

@@ipunsk the mismatch based on sizes here in Europe would be about 1.5 over hang at the back for the sides, not really a deal breaker. The sides, back and front are all glued to the edges of the base.

[@dmang0]

You can use the extra piece as a lid for the aquarium.

[@HeferCat]

The side pieces are 15”x14.75”and the glass is 1/4” thick

[@catherinesanchez1185]

While I doubt I’ll be making a Tank anytime soon this is a great video for those comfortable with DIY. Your videos are so efficient with no padding , well paced , and easy to follow .

[@michaelanasakta2378]

Hi Tanner, there are sites on KZbin that warn against using tempered glass for an aquarium because, allegedly, a simple tap on a top edge will cause that panel to shatter. I expect other subscribers will also have noticed these warnings. Will you please comment? Thank you. Michael.

[@MrsRemi]

Thank you for this foolproof indepth explanation!! Your videos make the process look so easy but there are a lot more steps involved that a newbie simply wouldn't think about and would have to figure out by themselves first. Been binging your videos the past weeks and very inspired to start some projects!

[@raghurampattath]

The sides are 15x14 3/4 ", wont the sides be slightly taller at the top, doesn't seem to be in the video, how was the slight difference adjusted?

[@jesse0M]

Did you find out ?

[@braddishner8597]

I work in a glass shop so i got some scrap glass and built a 14 inch cube. Thanks for the knowledge.

[@Japh]

Wonderful video, as always Tanner, thank you! I was wondering about the evenness of the top edge. Seems to me like the glass panels for the ends are sitting on the base, but the front and back panels are sitting beside the base. Wouldn't this make the end panels sit the thickness of the glass higher? 🤔

[@mandymooligan9783]

I have been watching your programs for several weeks (since I got re-interested in terrariums) and have enjoyed them and learned a lot. I feel like I watched you grow up from your first to your last, LOL. Good job! Keep teaching us how to do it, I now have two and want to build more. As a child I was always playing in the woods and streams and bringing home critters in jars and bowls to watch. My parents did not care for it much but they let me. I grew up in Louisiana so there was plenty of plants and animals to choose from. Thanks so much for the education.

[@keithcontreary5828]

I must be visually or mathematically challenged. I love this idea, but the math doesn't add up to me. You put the side pieces on top of the bottom piece. Since the side pieces are 14.75 inches by 15 inches, the only way the side pieces could fit on top of the bottom piece and inside the front and back pieces is for the width of the side pieces to be 14.75 inches and the height of the side piece to be 15 inches. That would make the sides 15.25 inches tall, while the front and back are only 14.75 inches tall.

[@j3rs3yjak3FIU]

I've been trying to figure it out and watching this over and over 😂😂 I feel like there would be a small lip on two opposing sides since you have to pick them up and place them on the bottom 🤔 either I'm missing something or he didn't explain a part.

[@axms3]

@@j3rs3yjak3FIU 16:01 Yes, there will be a 1/4 inch difference between the sides and the front/back. You can just see it at this point in the video.

[@j3rs3yjak3FIU]

@@axms3 okay, I'm fairly certain I'm over thinking it 😅 I think I'll just have to get the supplies and give it a try! Thanks for the reply 😎

[@ADHDiy_Guy]

Your comment was a year ago, but I’m still going to reply for any future viewers. The dimensions he provides are how you select the pieces on IKEA’s website, but they are the “system dimensions” including the shelf hardware. The actual glass dimensions are different. The 15x14-3/4 is actually 14x13-1/2, and the 30x14-3/4 is actually 28-1/2x13-7/8. The slight misalignment you see when the tank is assembled is the 1/8th difference, but the silicone probably makes it less than that even.

[@ADHDiy_Guy]

See my explanation above, true dimensions for the glass are different than the “system dimensions” ikea uses when they sell them.

[@hatbpto5180]

You have a great voice for narrating this kind of video

[@nefariousyawn]

How considerate of Ikea to offer conveniently matching panels of glass!

[@markholmes5695]

Going to be doing this . In Ireland I can build 80 x 40cm tank with same ikea glass and silicone for €40. Sweet!

[@iH82H8]

Correction: Panel size for the larger size is (36x14.75") for those that don't double check in the description 😊

[@bjsteg79]

Secondary benefit of using EVA foam as a pad: You can sculpt it for extra decoration, or extend it out from the tank and cut holes in the "skirt" to hold food, fert, or tools....etc. EVA is used by cosplayers to make armor and gear. BTW, this tutorial is awesome. Thank you!

[@rodney3524]

Just keep in mind that the Ikea glass is tempered glass. You can't cut this or drill it and if it breaks it will break in spectacular fashion.

[@MalawisLilleKanal]

And it may break if it gets a small scratch from say a grain of sand.

[@kwikdahl]

Yea, tempered glass seems like a very, very bad idea for an aquarium. You will get scratches on the glass, and those scratches may cause the glass to shatter in a million pieces.

[@snailswrath]

He does mention it at 3:42. But I guess it cannot be stated enough or it will be spectacular indeed. :D

[@JermichaelAdventures]

OK so I used your directions and got it from IKEA and did the whole thing. Waiting for it to dry haven’t done a water test yet but it looks pretty solid. Thanks for the help!

[@kylecampbell3]

great video... but i think you can find a glass aquarium for less than the cost of the glass from Ikea...

[@grahamepigney8565]

Not here in France. Equivalent sized aquariums will cost about twice as much once you have factored in delivery costs.

[@ethanmccormack3837]

I have watched a lot of videos of people building glass enclosures but this is by far the best

[@feepakprohung]

All right. Just ordered enough for two 29 gallon aquariums im excited.

[@Madcat6866]

Update us?

[@dramoth64]

I don't need to worry about bring afraid of cutting glass... I used to do it for a living back in my 20s :D It's a skill that doesn't go away :)

[@jackx4311]

Very well explained and illustrated, and a great way to avoid having to cut the glass for those wary of that. But I would add a word of warning for newcomers; think about the weight of the water! 1 litre of water = 1 kilo; 1 cu. ft. of water = 62.4 lbs The smaller tank shown here holds 202 lbs of water, and the larger one 244.5 lbs. Then add the weight of the glass, and you can see that whatever table you put them on has to be pretty solidly built, or it may collapse when you fill the tank! HTH, and best regards, Jack (the Peak District, England - where we measure annual rainfall in feet!)

[@DanilloMagalhaes]

this video inspired me to build my own, only started on aquarism a few weeks ago and going for the second tank. ikea isnt a thing in my country so i searched a few glass shops near me and got one that would make and cut the glass pieces for a decently cheap price, bought everything and got my hands to work. result was frustrating, got leaks, dried it up, tried to fix the leaks, waited the cure process, tested it and got new leaks where i didnt put extra silicone, i repeated this process 4 times until i gave up and disassembled everything. imma buy new material e retry it, i'm not bashing the video, i'm stating my experience and while rewatching it just now i realise i made a few mistakes: - one of the side pannels of my build wasn't aligned perfectly, prob due to stress and my gf helping out and stressing it out due to different working rythims x) - i didn't found 100% silicone or aquarium specific ones with the big tubes, so i used one of those that comes in shape of a tooth paste, wich is pretty fucking hard to apply with only hand strengh and precision. - i completly forgot or didn't pay atention to the part you said that while applying silicone internally after assembling, you do 4 passes on each line, wich i only did one. So i have hopes this second time will do the charm :)

[@kathyheyne6030]

So glad I found this video. An IKEA is being built in my town as I type this. Fingers crossed they carry these.

[@CollectiveSuicideLIZ]

pleas make more of these videos!!!!!!!!!!! i love your content! Love from Israel

[@giavalentina3959]

Really good Video! I feel so inspired to build the aquarium of my dreams without being in debt🤩

[@serenitygoldenharp]

Thanks so much for your video it was awesome! I did have one idea that might actually make the whole process a little bit easier. What if, instead of placing the glass on a plain table, instead you were to place the glass over a grid that had the measurements in inches such as a sewing pad with inches and centimeters on it. You could even just lay some pieces of graph paper end to end on the table to also give you measurements and guide lines. That way you don't have to do any measuring and you can ensure that your tape edges are exactly straight all the way along. I hope you like this idea please feel free to use it/share as you'd like.

[@geekroute]

I'm actually gonna try doing it this weekend! seems simple enough for a first timer like myself!

[@jessec314]

Great video (as always) - thanks! I am trying to understand the dimensions, though. The front/back panes are 14.75" tall, and rest on the table, flush on the bottom with the base pane. So the front and back height of the aquarium is 14.75". The side panes are 14.75" x 15". They must be oriented so that they are 14.75" horizontally to contact the front/back panes. This means they are 15" tall, and since they rest ON the base, the left and right edges are 15.25" above the surface (adding the 1/4" base thickness). So there's a 1/2" difference in height between the front/back vs. the left and right faces. If this is the case, the 1/2" isn't a big deal. I'm just asking in case I misunderstand.

[@bubblejam]

This is one of the best, most considered ‘how to’ videos I’ve ever seen. Not just to do with tanks… all videos ever!

[@Goju_ninja]

100% I’m going to do this for my Betta fish. I followed your channel for at least 8 years and you never cease to amaze! Thank you SerpaDesign!

[@cathlinejohnson1856]

I most likely will never build my own, however your tutorial is absolutely amazing and if I decided to build one, this is my go-to for how-to! Thanks for sharing!

[@turtlejeepjen314]

With my large Snapping Turtle HERD, I am REALLY excited to upgrade & re-decorate some tanks!!! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to make my own glass tanks; as a reptile person, FLOOR space is more necessary then HEIGHT; (the newer 40 gallon Breeder aquariums ARE useful, but STILL they are the only GLASS tanks easily available!! I prefer GLASS over the cheaper plastic ones they are now pushing.)

[@metaversetrading124]

Your video is simply very informative, tedious and straight to the point. A little additional advice here is, please do take the tank capacity of water + fish swimming pressure into consideration, where larger fish keeper may be at risk as this fish tank has no 'bones' to reinforce the whole structure, hence adding too much water and bigger fish smashing the water may cause the tank to break due to lacking of bone structure reinforcement. Just my two cents and apologize for my poor English. Cheers

[@IsabelleHalverson]

love this for so many reasons, i love cube tanks but they are so expensive! and u could use the spare glass to configure lids

[@ramroad2008]

This is by far the best video on KZbin. If there is an award that I can recommend you for I would like to. The editing is top notch, the instruction very precise and easy to follow. Your cinematography is outstanding, you captured everything we need to see, opposing views of the same steps. I am in total awe of just how great this was put together. I may never build my own aquarium. Though watching this one video give a lot of confidence. I am definitely saving it. If for nothing else than to help me when I am trying to make a video to help others. Great job. 15:59