Setup & Plant Your Naturalistic Vivarium (10g Aquarium to Viv Conversion pt.4)

[@jmarshal]

“I’m not a fan of how leaf litter looks” Tanner in whatever year this was. Please can you redo this series? You’ve got so much more knowledge now and would go about this in such a different way! But it’s great to have each in depth part accessible which is why I’m watching it in 2024 even though I’m sure I watched it when it premiered!

[@SerpaDesign]

Sorry this video took so long, it took a lot of work to get the video compiled. I hope that you all enjoy this a lot. I tried to show you the entire process, while also keeping the video as brief as possible. Let me know if you have any specific questions that I didn't address in the video. Also, I won't be releasing episode 5 and 6 for at least a month. I really want this setup to grow in prior to adding my animals. In the mean time I will start doing to other part 2s.

[@TheApocalypsePals]

Don't worry about that! Take your time and keep up the great work you are doing. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos; it really shows your commitment to quality. I do have one question, you explained your reasoning for not using leaf litter while pointing out that trimmings act as a sort of compost. Question: Why not use a small amount of actual compost?

[@MrBeautrix]

Great video as always man! I have a question regarding the cleanup crew: Do you have any experience with earthworms? I saw a LeopardGeckoTalk video a while ago on a natural vivarium build, and earthworms were added to the vivarium with the springtails and isopods. In a later update video in the same channel you could see the network of tunnels in substrate, through the front glass panel, and I really got interested in what the worms could actually do for soil aeration and thus root health. Anyway, that is one good looking vivarium!

[@zookeeper3502]

Why do you not have a ant colony?

[@SerpaDesign]

I don't feel like getting into ants at the moment. I have about 30 mouths to feed and counting haha!

[@SerpaDesign]

I use worms (nightcrawlers) in my 125g vivarium and they are nice, but they make a mess. They managed to get under the mesh and now some substrate falls through. Not the end of the world, but for a tank of this size I didn't want to use them. I think it is a good idea to add them though. Thanks!

[@karlgookey]

This is a great series! I plan on using these videos to help set up our crested gecko's next vivarium so it's all ready when he grows a bit bigger.

[@allisonbaileranderson7535]

Thank you for making this video series! We have a Cuban Tree Frog and my daughter and I are very interested in making a proper vivarium for it. Your series is so perfect as I know nothing about the subject.

[@lunarminx]

I love seeing the springtails already running around so much! 9:53

[@pewpewcat7679]

Seriously! Seeing your feeder insects or detrivores multiply and do well is so satisfying! I love digging through my springtail box just to see how many there are haha. Goddamn fungus gnats though! I hate those bastards 😐

[@jacobtemple7251]

Give it a while and it'll become an artwork of itself! I planted my terrarium about a month ago and the plants are just now starting to take off everywhere! Also with personal experience fireballs take forever to redden but don't give up! Great job on this tank!

[@SerpaDesign]

Absolutely, that's one the reasons I like vivariums and terrariums. It's a few weeks old at this point that there is some noticeable growth already, but I definitely agree with you. Once it hits a certain point the just go crazy. Thanks!

[@peculiarone339]

So beautiful!! I have been really enjoying this series!! Can't wait to start one of these myself!! 👍

[@vorastrix1680]

LOL My gecko is so mesmerized by your vivariums and terrariums.

[@garinraquel]

Great video as always! Thanks for the tutorials, I've never attempted to build a terrarium/vivarium but I find them very entertaining to watch ^^

[@SerpaDesign]

Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoy it!

[@ninam6826]

Looks great! I can't wait for the update!

[@madelynmumbert673]

Just subscribed! Your videos are so educational and interesting to watch. Keep it up!

[@rolandocaballero5940]

That’s great set up for any invertebrates bio-active 👍🏼thanks tanner for for sharing this amazing 💡 ideas💖it such interesting vivarium 🙏✌🏼

[@LakesReptiles]

Wonderful video, it looks great

[@SammMannPitts]

I don't know how I got here, I don't have the time or resources for these projects but I enjoy the process and artistry of it all

[@ownsacat]

Looks great. I really like the plant layout.

[@MixxedMonster]

Loved this vid! Very we done and put together!

[@SerpaDesign]

Thanks!

[@Brucelovesjulie]

I'd be really interested in knowing why 18 people disliked this video. Like, the actual reasons. Any of you willing to share why you disliked it? Personally, I find Tanner's video tutorials to be, informative, succinct, and more importantly, funny! I can't say the same for some of the other tutorials I've watched from other KZbinrs.

[@dawnpleasant2319]

Great tips! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@markharris8997]

Thanks gave me some great ideas for my new set ups

[@08jas]

thanks for the video! i enjoy your videos and learn a lot from it. if you ever have the time please make a video regarding different types of plants that you use. thank you

[@SerpaDesign]

Yeah I can at some point!

[@08jas]

SerpaDesign thank you!

[@jjhill001]

Kickass video. Idea for a challenging build. Temperate/Dry climate vivarium for a temperate or dry climate species.

[@SerpaDesign]

I like a challenge and I am interested in both ideas. There are a lot of temperate species that I really like, but did you have any in mind?

[@jjhill001]

SerpaDesign For temperate species garter snake, grey tree frog, perhaps some salamander species. Desert species I think western banded geckos (basically America's mini leopard geckos), leopard geckos, would be delecate enough to allow some planting. Obviously the largest challenge would be finding plants that could stand up to a snake. I think there is a growing number of keepers who are interested in naturalistic setups and are tired of looking at astro-turf or paper in their setups.

[@SerpaDesign]

I wouldn't keep a garter, but I like eastern ring neck snakes. Also definitely would keep a grey tree frogs as well as spring peepers and any toads to name a few. Also interested in a lot of salamander and newt species. I won't tackle desert setups just yet, but I like both of those geckos. It's tough and usually not practical to make naturalistic setups for larger animals, like snakes, but it is possible. I will see what I can do!

[@jjhill001]

SerpaDesign I wonder if the types of plants for a larger toad like an American Toad would be similar for a small/medium sized snake such as a garter just because of their weight and habbit of getting all over everything. Either way looking forward to the next in this series!

[@hesselpijnaker2002]

Realy cool! Thanks for showing these videos. Someone asked ne to build a huge paludarium for him, so this is realy handy :)

[@pmotta4545]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing 😀

[@banderaitaly]

I have a 20 gallon hex tank I’m thinking of putting plants in thank you for this

[@sdqsdq6274]

hmm always thought springtails were a alien , didnt know it was so welcome to a vivarium setup

[@Alextightlines]

Would have any liverwort up for sale? Keep up the great videos...

[@leemccorriston2170]

Awesome designs and the video's are classic ,good idea's and full of insight keep up the great work👍

[@josvel2344]

for the screws, just use zinc coated screws which are gor outdoor use so they won't really rust

[@ciaranrunyan2053]

Just entered in for the contest exited!!!

[@Between_the_numbers]

What’s up Man, I saw you used acrylic hinges on one of your conversations. Where did you get the hinges and how did you secure them?

[@Jeremy2069]

Great work man, You've taught me quite a lot about Terrariums and Vivariums over time while I prep to build my next Vivarium. Have you ever considered building a paludarium?

[@SerpaDesign]

Thanks and yes, I am actually going to be build a 90 gallon paludarium in the spring.

[@Jeremy2069]

SerpaDesign Ill be starting mine around the same time. I just wanna make more research and gather more materials before i get started.

[@TopherEagleGAMER]

This is great! Giving me some ideas for the 10 gallon I have. I don't really know what kind of critter I would put in as a lot of pet sites say that many times, it will be outgrown. Any ideas?

[@jeppegronemann2084]

Hello! love this series! a 10 gallon seems pretty small. but whats the meassurements for this tank?

[@pepejr6149]

do you know were i can get these plants? i would love to replicate this exact vivarium love your work

[@tonyaltobello6885]

Same question. I can't seem to find the oak leaf creeping fig anywhere and I love it's look.

[@anonymouswhite7957]

this is beautiful...

[@feybriona]

Great video! Where do you find your plants?

[@maxants9154]

this would look really nice in my room and how long did it take for what you done in this video

[@jaywalton2177]

I'm considering doing something on a bigger scale for a Cuban knight anole, but my big worry is UV light, since glass tends to absorb that kind of radiation. Is there a good way to work around that?

[@SerpaDesign]

If you want to do a conversion like this you will have to drill a hole in the glass so that the UV can get into the enclosure. Otherwise as you have suggested, most of it will get filtered out. Alternatively you could get a prefabricated tank with a screen top.

[@ShoVon]

Great video! Could you please share the dimensions of the tank?

[@Attackkidd31104]

he just used a regular ten gallon tank and converted it into a tall tank he shows the process in a playlist on his channel :)

[@pat7785]

I'm gonna make one of these soon, should I do the concrete background, or the foam background

[@SerpaDesign]

Have you made one before? If not I suggest starting with one of the easier methods like the foam or cocohusk liner bg. It also depends on the aesthetic you are going for.

[@pat7785]

SerpaDesign I've never made one before, but I'm using a 20 gal. I gonna do the foam.

[@WillsWildlifeKingdom]

I just did a Touch n Foam background. Bit messy but such a great product and effect.

[@oliverwilkinson5773]

are the next lot of videos coming out on this build please 😀

[@Arlet11369]

What if the frogs like it better less bushy ? 😂... just like they say tarantulas dont like light.... and they dont like to move much. My LP likes the sun light and my pink toe moves alot. 🤷‍♀️ I love studying them, i watch them move the bark or water dish around to their liking lol. I swear they got their own lil personalities.

[@brittanyschulze7182]

I'm currently in the process of building a bio-active vivarium(for a crested gecko), and I was curious if you ever have any issues with your java moss? I would love to put some in my vivarium, but I'm afraid it'll just dry out and die since it will be coming from a fresh water tank, and it won't constantly be soaking wet. Any advice?

[@LCRRcreed]

whats the risk of getting spring tails and having them go out of the enclosure? I know they are good for the environment but, I worried about finding small bugs everywhere!

[@pewpewcat7679]

I probably have all kinds of stuff crawling around 😂 i breed my feeders and I've plucked waxworms off the wall. Woops. Learned that they're escape artists pretty quick that way. But really, don't worry about springtails. They wouldn't survive if one or two hop out. Plus you really wouldn't know. I'm certain when I check mine that there have been some that jumped ship. I used to be weird about crawly things but not anymore since I breed feeders. Tbh sometimes I just hold a handful of mealworms because. It's different when they're "your babies" and you've raised them and are proud of them. Even if they just get eaten eventually 😆

[@veesentdaysendz8113]

Another question---So if this is your grow out reptile tank,how do you disinfect the vivarium to use for a new Reptile,do you remove the background texture and redo it again???i m lost.

[@Bogbitch37]

How much light does that selaginella need? Do you think it would tolerate a baby crested gecko walking on it? I am making a vivarium and I really want to put some selaginella in it

[@veesentdaysendz8113]

Awesome!!what kind of animal did you house in this 10 gallon vertical convert?????

[@SerpaDesign]

I didn't put anything in it yet. I wanted it to grow in first and I want to wait till after I go on vacation in May. Unless of course I come across a good deal, then it will happen sooner. I won't tell you whats going in here just yet though! :) As far as grow out tanks go, if you have a healthy animal to begin with you shouldn't have any issues. Leaving it vacant for a little bit should do the trick. If you have a sick animal, you may have take the whole thing down depending on what's wrong.

[@columbojumpscare]

This vivarium looks stunning ! What animals will you put in this enclosure ?

[@SerpaDesign]

Thank you! Have to wait and see! :)

[@parisfernalia]

im excited to wait and see

[@ProbablyCarlissa]

Could you add a waterfall to this type of setup, or will it be too wet for plants? Or cause mold?

[@tonyrodriguez4233]

What setup and low light plants would you recommend for an adult Asain forest scorpion?

[@ashleyybrookee8]

I am currently planning to do this with a 20 long for my new Crested Gecko (Cypress), butttt I am curious/confused how I can bring a heat spot for my gecko with this setup. I am currently using a moonlight bulb on the top of a metal mesh lid but I don't see how that could work on top of the glass aquarium. Im probably missing something but any help would be well helpful thanks!!

[@Dioliolio]

Do the spring tails ever work their way out of the terrarium?

[@MrFisherpryce]

Can spring trails be collected in the winter?

[@tygereyes]

Okay, I have a rookie question - don't the Springtails (or any of your bioactive creatures - isopods/hexapods escape the virariums)? Also, I am curious about micro-fauna for aquariums or Okay, I have a rookie question - don't the Springtails (or any of your bioactive creatures - isopods/hexapods escape the virariums)? Also, I am curious about micro-fauna for aquariums or riverarium.

[@michaelfabregas3496]

Can you give me please advice where to buy live plants for a good price + quality plants Lowes and home depot plants doesn't impress me

[@SerpaDesign]

It depends on what you are looking for. You can find good quality plants at: www.joshsfrogs.com/ blackjungle.com/ www.glasshouseworks.com/ I prefer the last one because they have cool oddity plants that the others usually don't. I will sometimes get them at home depot or lowes as well. Everything in this video (other than the bromeliads) came from glasshouseworks. I got the broms on ebay.

[@michaelfabregas3496]

Thank You + Keep up the good work man Hope to see more video soon!!!

[@user-yr5qy9uc6h]

Do you have to use aquarium safe silicon to dab on the hinges?

[@samuelserrano9037]

you should make a vídeo adding animales into it

[@ChauLe-md3sk]

Hi, I'd like to do something kind of like this for my ball pythons. Would this type of substrate be suitable?

[@Arlet11369]

It's ok to dump the substrate on the springtails?

[@michaelfabregas3496]

Quick question.. Don't you need a small computer fan inside or outside the terrarium in order for better quality air inside the tank

[@SerpaDesign]

It's a good idea to include one and I will be adding one to this one, but it's not always necessary.

[@michaelfabregas3496]

Thanks for the respond!!! Keep up the good work man

[@DanaLynnMoyer]

Is there a chance that you can list the plants you used please.

[@woutervanteerling]

Hi, the main thing I search but can't find an answer: with an aquarium you have constant problems: algae, lightning, co2, waterflow, temperature, substrate rotten etc etc, how is this wit vivariums? BTW: tnx, nice video!

[@SerpaDesign]

Different problem areas than those, but easily managed. Lighting is important, but dependent on your animals/plants. Substrate can get "putrid", but is easily avoidable with a proper substrate blend and a drainable false bottom of some sort. Temperature and humidity can also be problem areas, but are relatively easy to maintain. Finally airflow is another factor to consider (this is not always necessary, but having one internally is best so that the above factors aren't affected; mainly the temp and humidity). That may sound like a lot, but IMO it is much easier than planted aquariums.

[@woutervanteerling]

Oke tnx for the comment! I'll look further in it this days, only hoping its as nice in rl as on all these yt videos with high contrast etc

[@SerpaDesign]

You're welcome. It does, I didn't doctor the video at all, that's straight out of the camera.

[@woutervanteerling]

thats great!, just want to buy one second hand, but my room is on top floor, very hot summers, extreme cold winters.. so think I can't do it to keep a good temp.

[@yulisaterron4724]

All the front of my tank has ventilation. Could this cause all the moisture to escape?

[@Japan4shashy]

How often are you suppose to clean the terrarium

[@ddtruthfinder81]

I have a 40gal breed conversion kit I havent started on yet, Im 2nd guessing it now, as if even bothering with it because once I learned that UV rays are blocked by glass, that would mean poor health for any creatures I put into the converted vivarium besides some snakes that dont need UV. So I wanted either some anoles or emerald tree skinks since they like to climb, the problem is how do I deliver UV rays through glass tops, I assume its either to smash my tops and install a screen mesh/vent so a UV bulb would work, or install the uv bulb inside and then have to worry about moisture etc. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

[@raerae886]

If I did this with my 10 gal aquarium also would it be suitable for a crested gecko or to small

[@SerpaDesign]

Yeah it would be fine for a grow out tank.

[@vuel987]

I need a video on how to get spring tails in the wild and in the store.

[@SerpaDesign]

It's probably more trouble than it's worth trying to source them from the wild. I was selling them for awhile, but I was loosing a ton of money thanks to ebay. So I won't be doing that again until my site it up. If you send me a pm, I can get them to you via paypal. Otherwise Josh's Frogs has good springtails.

[@vuel987]

thank you. for entertainment value trying to get them in the wild might still be a great video.

[@SerpaDesign]

I feel you, I can do that when it starts to get warm out.

[@lcpdtf1221]

I have an enclosure i am making for a green iguana. I have started to make it bioactive. I however do not know what plants i should use. The enclosure is 6ft tall 6ft long and 4ft wide. There are 2 ponds and a waterfall in it. All of the walls have been sprayfoamed. I have done a small area that has pothos and has been siliconed and covered in the cocofiber substrate. Im prepared to cut tons of holes in for pots for plants i have large branches braced and siliconed. But it comes down to what plants do i use? Unfortunately am iguana bioactive is not that common and i wanted to ask someone who has done this for a while and knows what theyre talking about.

[@bigboybeats2839]

what's the difference between terrarium and vivarium??

[@0MochiBear0]

A terrarium is just for plants, but a vivarium houses animals, or at least I think :)

[@tylerdelipper9968]

Would something like this be suitable for dart frogs?

[@buzk4]

May i ask for link to part. 2 and 3? Cannot find….😢

[@PeterSFam]

Is there any reason you did not use a charcoal layer?

[@Pigsfly-cr2sv]

What if you don't put in animals will the spring tails over populate

[@SerpaDesign]

Nope, not at all.

[@GerardoRodriguez-lc5oq]

Pigsfly2000 the food source is limited so they can't infinitely reproduce

[@thederptor2571]

How do you prevent acrylic from flexing

[@ChaseStayancho]

Where do you get the plants? I'm assuming you have a flower shop nearby, but I am not 100% sure.

[@SerpaDesign]

I ordered most of the ones used in this video online and I also propagated some of them myself.

[@sharkfin6981]

Where do you buy your plants?

[@fernandoaries9817]

💚🖤💚🖤😎

[@famoso1418]

How do you add lighting

[@alasdairburns5213]

So I'm guessing this is gonna house dart frogs

[@samuelserrano9037]

please record a video putting animals inside !!!

[@August-argleben]

what is the difference between terrestrial and arboreal? Which are which?

[@SerpaDesign]

Terrestrial animals spend their time on the ground and arboreal animals spend their time climbing on stuff, usually in some form of a canopy. This setup is somewhere in the middle since the animals it will house are somewhere in the middle of terrestrial and arboreal.

[@samuelserrano9037]

Whats animals are you putting there

[@shiobanambriz540]

I'm having a hard time finding moss. Where do you think I can find some? Thank you!

[@apel4877]

You can usually find a large bag of untreated sphagnum moss for $5 in any hardware store or in the garden and landscaping section of Walmart

[@budfahnestock2418]

seems some of your processes have changed over the years

[@naufalmi7329]

how can i get springtail? because in my town no one sell springtail

[@shaleegibson7054]

Naufal MI Genesis exotics is great for springtails and isopods

[@shaleegibson7054]

Naufal MI highly recommend them

[@naufalmi7329]

Shalee Gibson thanks for information ^_^

[@shaleegibson7054]

No problem!

[@SerpaDesign]

Josh's Frog's has good springtails.

[@TheVlrambo]

Why are springtails in my terrarium ? I did not put any 👍🏽

[@TheVlrambo]

Anandi Khajaan Singh - cool:)

[@ci-wc2vn]

can i use forest floor to replace fine bark?

[@SerpaDesign]

Yes, for sure. Any fine bark will work.

[@lisajarvis3820]

Looking for 5&6

[@RenaissancePeopleNYC]

you should be using all stainless steel hardware

[@jonisonlima7021]

Good afternoon, I've seen almost all your videos are show if you could put a caption in Portuguese Brazil would be great kkkk because I'm from Brazil and I accompany your work I do the translation of everything I saw also that you talked about the issue of the rotten smell in case if you Put activated carbon it eliminates several bacteria in the unit and serves as insulator of odors awaiting your return my name is jonison hug ..

[@samuelserrano9037]

please upload paladarium vid!!!!

[@aaaa-oe5iz]

where do you buy the plants from?

[@SerpaDesign]

Glass House Works, Josh's Frogs, Ebay, Lowe's and Homedepot and anywhere I else I see plants to be honest.

[@BernieBella]

Why the egg crate?

[@tylerkaplan4798]

I think we could use an update vid on these

[@SerpaDesign]

I filmed a portion of an update not long ago and will have video out in a few weeks. Go check my Instagram for up to date pictures on them. They are doing well.

[@tylerkaplan4798]

SerpaDesign cool thanks. This series along with other vids from other people inspired me to create my own paludarium. It seems to be doing well although I only set it up 2 days ago.

[@miguelluna8582]

what lighting did u use

[@SerpaDesign]

For the time being I am using a 90w Equiv. LED flood light bulb (13w) @ 5,000k and 1,000 lumens.

[@miguelluna8582]

SerpaDesign thank you and keep up the good videos!

[@mr.midi1223]

What did you do for lighting ?

[@SerpaDesign]

90w Equivalent LED flood light bulb (13w) @ 5,000k and 1,000 lumens.

[@francescogiampaolo3184]

@@SerpaDesign Hello, i'm just trying to build a vertical terrarium by following your instruction, but i am working with a smaller one (25x25x35) i still need 1000 lumens? Thanks for your help!

[@Josef_R]

I wonder where you found $300 worth of plants for $30?

[@iansusens3975]

What is your lighting setup. Do a video on that

[@SerpaDesign]

I will do a video on it in the near future. For the time being I am using a 90w Equiv. LED flood light bulb (13w) @ 5,000k and 1,000 lumens.

[@larrykay6606]

$10 for plants and materials? I pay $6 for one anubias nana plant at my lfs. Where do you buy your plants for so cheap?

[@SerpaDesign]

I grew most of the plants myself. Of course I bought the mother plants at one point, but they were free for this setup (like my 12 or so anubias that were propagated from a single plant). I bought the broms, but I only used about $5 worth. The other materials I already had as well. So technically at one point I bought things, but not specifically for this build. I also shop around and a lot of times buy things on sale even if I don't need them at the time. I know at some point I will use them.