DIY 10g Aquarium to Vertical Vivarium Conversion - pt.1 Conversion 

You deserve WAY more subscribers. Your videos are concise, yet *extremely* informative and helpful. Keep on keepin' on.

I should have mentioned in the video that regular acrylic is known to warp. In a setup of this size it is very minimal and only occurs on the door. If this concerns you, simply make your door out of polycarbonate, such as Lexan. It is easier to work with and less prone to cracking as well.

Thank you very much for this series. I have just completed our first crested gecko vivarium using your process and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Although my design, of course, is wildly different from yours, it would not have been attainable without the thorough education you provided in this series. Great work and thanks again. Starting the second one as soon as our little gecko has been moved. I can hardly wait.

Holy crap. You make this look much easier than it is. As if it was taking a leisurely walk in the park. Yes my first attempt ever was on a 45 gallon, it can't be that hard, right?! WRONG. I cracked part of my plexi trying to drill it so I've given up on ever applying hinges. I've decided that magnets will be the way to keep the door on...maybe. It took three days for the GS to dry, and that was with poking in release holes. I could have done a better job of carving it, if I had a mini chainsaw. Plus I either bought a bad brown silicone or the color is just runny, oily, smells like vinegar, and takes longer to dry. Hours of work and I'm not even finished. Still worth it though, thank you for being an inspiration.

I’ve watched this literally 12 times already and only need to build enough will power and stamina to make it happen :’)

You could use weld-on 16 to secure the acrylic to the plastic frame and use some clear acrylic hinges that you can purchase online for an even sleeker look.

This is perfect thank you so much! I was totally going to try to do this exact same thing, but I was probably going to screw it up, or at least not have it to it's potential. It'll be great to have the pro show me the way!!

How would one use overhead heat/ UVB for this? I assume you would have to remove the side piece of glass serving as your top, but how would you attach a screen top? In the same fashion as the glass? I've been watching this video for a year or two, now trying to work up the courage to tear apart one of my extra ten gallon tanks. I would need more ventilation and the option for at least heat, if not UVB. Thank in advance. I know this video is older, but it still gives me so much inspiration every time I see it!!

is it possible to get a hold of that drill hole guide from you please!

This is how tutorials should be done; good job!

I have to say, I was gifted a 55 gallon aquarium and I found your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your hobby in such an informative and pleasant way. I have a false bottom built and am going to experiment with some foam tomorrow, wish me luck!

Hi, great video. I'd really like to have the motivation and energy to build one of those. To thank you, i'd like to share a tip with the silicone (if you don't know already). To smooth it out you can use water with a bit of dish soap in a spray bottle and once sprayed the silicone will be easier to smooth with your finger. It usually gives a very smooth finish with little effort.

I'm trying this but tweaking it to make a custom sized terrarium. I got all the supplies today and tackled the acrylic measuring and cutting. So far so good! That was easier than expected, thanks to you and your videos. 😊

@serpadesign how did you make the drilling template? You don't still have the file handy, do you? Thank you for creating these videos - I am going to attempt this conversion today.

Wish you could link the guides you made. Perhaps put them on google drive and share? 😉

I'm getting ready to set up an enclosure for a crested gecko and this was so helpful. Thank you :)

Cannot wait till I can build my crestie a big vertical enclosure 👼🏼

FYI! There are pre-cut acrylic sheets available online for standard aquarium sizes (and smaller for the drainage layer or ventilation sizes) for those of you not wanting to buy extra tools/worried about cracking/ruining the full sheets! I have a 30 gallon breeder tank and purchased a 36x18 sheet for the door as well as a 9x18 for the drainage layer! All I had to do was drill holes for the door handle and did ventilation in the door instead of a fixed top ventilation sheet! I used extra magnets instead of hinges for easy access and less retrofitting!

Awesome! I was considering making a water bridge from my twenty gallon aquarium to my spare 10 gallon, but now I think I'll have to wait and see how this project goes!

You've inspired me to make one if these bro. I use to do this type of stuff when I was a kid and long before I got into Reefing and corals. I've been collecting all the materials I need and most I've already had from my reefing hobby. Thanks for the step by step video. 👍

Wonderful video, I'll probably be doing this soon

Thank you so much for doing a step by step. I am in the process of making the same as you did. I silicone my screws and a gap I had in the door. I'm not sure how I ended up with a gap, but I did. It should be ready for decor in a couple days.

Dude that is cool and looks fun to make! I will have to try this someday. Thanks for sharing!

Can't wait for part two!

Do you have the template you used for the ventilation holes? Would be greatly appreciated

thanks for the great video, i'm really inspired to do this. Only problem i have is that my 10g aquarium is only glass, so without the black plastic piece (rim?) on top to fit in the acrylic. Do you have any tips how to go about this with glass edges?

this is absolutely brilliant! I love watching your channel, so relaxing

I would like to show some of the terrariums I have been making using aquariums. Pretty simple compared to yours, which are masterpieces. However, I have learned everything with you. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

Doubt you will answer being a old video would a heat light crack the glass on the top the tank my house stays cold so I would need heat

another tip for applying silicon: when using your finger or any shaper whatsoever then use soapy water.. just dip your finger in it before shaping the silicon.. that way the silicon doesn't stick to your finger and you get a nice even.. bead? (really don't know the english term) however using dry fingers can be quite messy and it doesn't give you an result as even and pretty..

I got the rest of the supplies today for my 10 gallon verticle!! Super excited!!

Wanted to let you know that vids like these are still very helpful! Built my first bioactive vivarium based on this for my pacman frog

What would you recommend for applying the door side on a rimless tanks?

i dont understand why they don't sell 10 gals with doors or a door in the front. its great for reptiles, and easier to manage the tank/feed your reptile. if you feed them from the top it can easily spook them and you're bigger than them. if you're handling them its easier to put them back into their habitat. so, i think it would be great if it was more common to see on the market.

Quick tip when cutting . A couple of pieces of double sided tape will hold the straight edge down temporarily.

I'm wondering with the weight of all the substrate and decorations, is there any concern that the lip of the tank at the bottom will put stress on the glass? Would it be beneficial for a larger version (20 gallon long) to put a sheet of gator board or foam board under the glass to match the lip?

this is great, always like how well you explain everything. makes it easy to follow along, might even try to do this project too!

I just finished my tank up to the end of the first video and I am beginning the second part tomorrow, very good instructions! Thanks for the help! tomorrow

This video is great! I was wondering if its possible to make the door swing to the side? Do you think attaching it to the tank trim would work?

Good stuff as always. I am glad I found this before buying a conversion kit. THANKS!!

Hey I was wondering, Since UVB doesn't pass through glass what do you suggest for the top? Since I'm building mine for reptiles that require UVB I'm wondering the best method to use. Take off the glass top and replace it with a screen topper or do you somehow add a full spectrum light safe for reptile inside?

I did the acrylic cutting and totally messed up but oh well, I'm still using the pieces, they still function but they look kinda bad. great video!

Omg thank God i found uim doing a 38 gallons oval tank and i been wanting to convert it so i can put my expensive begonias and my variegated adonsonii

Dude really cool! I have an aquarium and always wanted a gecko but they need vertical enclosure. Thanks so much! 😊 🙏

Could you please share a link to the guides? Thanks

How did you get the drilling hole guide for the ventilation0:

Top Flight content. I cant stop watching.

Dude you are the man my iggy sends much love will be trying to build her one soon hope I may ask for help and tips as I go keep it up its inspired me greatly

I will doing this for my 20 gallon high since you created a tutorial so I can follow,for a Crested Gecko as well.---But I'm still concerned about those lips around the frame that are too short to drill holes through to hold the lexan tighter to the lips of the frame.

Does a heat lamp on top not crack the glass?

1.5k Subs in less than a month. Nice Job!

Oh my gosh! I’m going to do this for my Leopard gecko! I just bought a 20 gallon fish tank for him but he gets scared when I reach in from the top, so this would be perfect if I can pull it off!

Great vid. I've been wanting to create vertical setups for my crested geckos and this method looks easy and inexpensive.

Would be cool to see an update to this.

Can you tell us where you got the guides from? Or if you made them (which it looked like) what program you used to do this?

What if ur reptile needs a heat lamp?

Awesome vid!!! Really helpful and i appreciate all the detailed tips! Will try to make one soon with a 75 gallon tank. Hope everything ends well😅

How do you do this with rimless aquariums?

Can you make a video on a horizontal front opening vivarium

Great video it deserves way more view and liked

Following along. Looks pretty sweet.

This is quite an old video so hopefully you're still active, how would I go about adding a waterfall to one of these builds? Theres nowhere for a powercord to go into the enclosure

That is quite awesome!

Great way to save money, thanks Serpa!

You're the man Tanner thank you

Looking for part 2 ~ 😂 ~ it just popped up when I tapped like ~ 😎

Loved watching your videos..............don't know if I could do this or not........where do you get the different types of rocks and moss? Do you make any to sell? Where would I find them? Keep creating they are beautiful!

I'm having a lot of ventilation problems after doing this, and having to leave the door open (with supervision) often to prevent mold and mildew in my tank, and unable to mist the tank with fresh drinking water because humidity is too high, as well as temps getting too high in summer. Is anyone else having this problem/how to fix it? I'd love to cut the glass in the top to install some mesh but that's not really a good option. Tips?

Where did you find the magnets ? Thanks

I have a question, what do you think works better and easier a small 10 gallon tank or something larger like a 50 gallon for making vivarium? love the videos I'm planning on making my first one

Great video! Thanks.

Hey SerpaDesign. was wondering if you can answer a question of mine. I live in a tropical humid area and was thinking if a screen mesh vivarium is a possible thing to do. was thinking you could provide a little enlightenment. Thank you!

Do you have the templates you used?

awesome ideas!!!

Can you do an updated version of this please? Thanks

Hey Serpadesign, what are the exact dimensions for your 10 gallon tanks?

You’re amazing! Thank you!

Nice vids I was able to make a 20gal High into an very nice thumbnail dart frog enclosure with this series. Thanks

what site did you go to to print out for the holes?love your project and instructions

Super informative. Thank you

Awesome work! I want to try it.

I'm in the middle of using this video to convert my 75 gallon. Is there a better tool to cut acrylic with? My hands are going to be so so sore

Hmm will I be able to do something similar with my old 7 gallon tank?

seen hinges made of clear plastic , might be nicer to use that , well done on the diy

I was wondering if you could help me. I've completed this diy. However I have a concern. As you know, the silicone has a STRONG odor! So, is the smell supposed to stay? Is that normal? Is it harmful for me to place my geckos in if the odor is still there?

You are so precise. Thank you!

Man I don't know where you find those acrylic sheet for 7$ but all I can find with a decent size is 60-80$

I have two identical terrariums my ball python Pete the python is in one of them instead of buying a new $1,500 terrarium I would like to combine the two terrariums to make one however I would like to be able to take the back apart to make it easy to move and clean and what have you. Do you have any suggestions for me?

Do you have the file for your ventilation guides?

Is there a way to do this without the rim? For some reason a lot of the second hand tanks I have are all rimless 😅

Would I be able to use this as a guide with some modifications to convert a 20 gallon high aquarium to a long terrarium resting on the longest side? Basically what is shown in the video, but turned 90 degrees to create more floor space rather than added height.

Thank you so much for this tutorial!!!!

Where do you get acrylic so cheap? I only find it for at least 5 times that price for a decent size (36x30)

How did you make your template for the hinges?

Cant find other series

How to do this on a full glass aquarium without trims?

Would acrylic be ok to use to replace the screen top of the 18x18x18 zoo med terrarium for keeping frogs?

SerpaDesign would Plexiglass work as well I want to get a conversion kit but can't find anywhere shipping to my location

What program do you edit your videos in? FinalCutPro X?