This was a trip down memory lane Tanner and what A sweet find....almost as good as SpongeBobs Spec 5 L🦲L !!!! Replacing all the glass for sure was the best way to go . Now this one has me thinking if you had ever given any thought of making your own metal frame or even a Faux version? Having a lot of free time to search for anything that involves such a build has been in vain and I am sure that the average hobbyist would have either never thought of it or because of the challenges of manufacturing something right ? I don't know anyone who would be up for the challenge and then I just realized 🤔 Your not just another anyone , and I think you should visit the idea of your tribute to the antique aquarium from scratch 😉 That would be Awesome 🖼🎨☮
Pinning this for the "Sponge Bob Spec 5" reference. That's some SERIOUS SD Lore! As for manufacturing my own faux frames, it's probably pretty easy to do. Maybe I'll have to visit that concept down the road because I really like these tanks.
I've done frames for similar sized aquariums and terrariums out of wood. I used mahogany for one, it actually is pretty beautiful! A great idea and not that much of work people may think.
I love rimless tanks, but there's something special about a Metaframe! What do you think? I had so much fun with this one and I hope you all enjoyed it as well. Have a great weekend SerpaSquad!
This brings back so many memories! I started keeping fish as a 9 year old boy. I have a fond memory of me and my dad looking over my metal five gallon tank in my bedroom the night before he left for Viet Nam, we talked about when he got back how we would get me a bigger tank and set it up, and we did, got a 15 gallon after he came home. He did have to go back for a second tour but that began a life long hobby for me. I ended up having several tanks set up throughout the house growing up, and still do…
I found a 20 gallon metaframe for $15 at the local goodwill a few years ago. It came with a huge box of tank accessories from late 60’s to 1973! Everything-from pumps, plants, air driven gadgets like a backwards water wheel and treasure chest, fry boxes, separators, a heater, lights, and even food, meds, and carbon. After confirming it held water it has been sitting and waiting. I can’t wait to set it up.
Love the choice of lights there. I think what's neat about this tank design is it gives me the vibe of being a window underneath the waterline of a boat.
Reminds me of the question, "If you replace every part of a ship, is it the same ship?" I think if you capture the essence of the thing you're repairing or building, yes.
The frame surely adds something... like it's a live painting? Or is it my nostalgia kicking in? The scape is simple, but it is very beautiful and - if it makes sense - both dynamic and calming at the same time. Maybe it reminds me of the bits of overgrown rocks in the ocean, which is so lovely.
Those old metal rimmed tanks seem to create a snug and comfy look. Like a scape in a suitcase. Also, nice work on the thumbnail. Over time, your work on that and your editing has gotten better.
Man u make building your own tank look easy. Especially if you wanted something big and custom. A lot of us don't need the water tight feature either which I assume would make it even easier
This is definitely one of my all time favorite tanks that you've made. Everything about this tank fits perfectly, from the frame and lights matching, to the directional terrain and choice of flora! LOVE IT!
I never saw a tank like this so it's a nice school lesson in aquarium history for me :) The restored tank looks amazing! All shiny and clean. I love the whole hardscape and the overall design. The fish are beautiful!
I have one of these out in my shed that I’ve been that used for a backyard toad for a couple of years. It’s it’s definitely been beat up, but it would be fun to do this thing to it.
I really like those magnetic lights it adds more depth when you can position your lighting where you want as opposed to the old just lay a light over the lid 😂 💡
Hey, i've got a question. I've just been gifted a aquarium tank and will start a project soon, therefore I'm gathering all the information needed to build a paludarium etc. While observing my grandpa's fish tank, I've noticed that the water is pretty warm and he has a huge filter and pump in the back and I haven't seen any of that kind in for example this tank. So do the lamps generate the heat, or are there some fish that don't need that much warmth, and how do you manage water quality etc??? Thanks in advance
Tropical fish need warmer water but there are many cold water fish that don't. Its likely the tank your grandpa has has an in-line heater or one built into the filter. As for water quality its a bit complicated to explain in a youtube comment, but if this is your first aquarium Id recommend joining a forum like Fishlore and reading guides and such there.
I need to know how the hell you manage to get dragonstone together with superglue?! I've tried so many times and it just falls apart as soon as I touch it, even after leaving it to cure for over 24 hours and scrubbing as much excess dirt and debris from the stones as I could prior to applying the glue.
It's all about the dragon stone dust. There's definitely a "technique" to it, but I find that it's best to apply some between the stones themselves and then even more along the joining seams. Load the exterior seam with dust to speed up the process and lock them in.
Hi guys, I have a question: I have drift wood and like to add to an aquarium, but it keeps making the water whitish and cloudy, does anyone can recomend what type of paint I can use to seal it, without any harm to the organisms? Thanks!!!
My first aquarium was like this (I'm almost 60). I had goldfish in it because there wasn't much info on how to keep goldfish properly in those days. Even books gave incorrect info. No filter and weekly total water changes with no kind of water conditioner. Makes me go cold just thinking about it! It's nice to see one of these old tanks again. They did have a certain charm
I'll be honest, I've never gone wrong with the old couple of goldfish won from the fair, some snails from the crick, and a wal-mart pleco. Few enough mortalities that I had to stop winning goldfish after a couple of years.
Said it before and I just want to say it again, THANK YOU for including all of your “oops” and their fixes and not editing them out some YT’s do, so much more helpful and real. Also, it shows things can be fixed and not just thrown away due to an accident. Keeping it real, educational, and just more diy friendly for us in training lol and ofc BEAUTIFUL work as usual. Always a pleasure watching an artist do their thing and share their knowledge. 🤘
My first fish tanks was metal frame(no idea how old they were, it was 2000's, they all had glass bottoms). The fact, the fact they can just be resealed and replaced a side, makes them amazing. the sides also protect the seams against overly agressive using algae magnet. my current tank is rimless, but there is a certain charm with rimmed tanks.
I haven’t seen a slate bottom in years! I love the restored tank. Well done. Your scape looks great too! Overall, you score an A+ on this lovely project.😍
Wow, this looks great! The composition of the Ohko stone and driftwood really flows beautifully well. When you showed the finished hard scape I had to just pause the video and look at it for a bit. I’ve been going through a tough time lately and starting my day with a new video of yours has definitely given me a bit of a spark. I appreciate and value you and your great work. Thank you for sharing it!
Seeing this old aquarium revived again is so awesome! Now I could only wonder if you'd found one of those vintage hexagonal or even octagonal tanks, what sort of scapes would you'd have put inside ❤️
Really enjoyed this episode. Had a tank like yours in the 80’s, long since regrettably disposed of. You would’ve loved that time, everything was much more available and affordable (eg. things like newts were $3 and not $30). Thank you for taking me back.
That was my first tank. My 5th. grade teacher gave it to me, because he didn't want to take it home for the summer. Mr. Campbell had no idea how much joy he's given me throughout the years with all of my tanks. Thank you, Mr. Cambell. Thank you for sharing this, it brings back fond memories. What a beautiful scape. All I had was a ceramic castle and plastic plants. I still have the castle; it sits on my desk.
I love the framed tank look. It's beautiful, charming, and really makes you feel like you're peering into another little world. I would absolutely replace all my modern fish tanks with awesome metal framed ones if I had the opportunity.
I have two or three of the old metal frame tanks. I found all of them on the side of the road/trash. They're so cool looking. I love them. I'm so glad I know how to tackle restoring them thanks to you!
Well done! I like how the frame... well... FRAMES the aquarium, treating it almost like a work of art. And I love the directionality and flow of the hardscape!
You're one of my favorite artists Tanner! Every week or so you dazzle us with living art, and not only that but you detail your intricate process every time, just amazing. Thanks for all your hard work, we really appreciate it; and personally it ALWAYS brightens my day :)
I am 51 years old and own an ORIGINAL META Tank. It's been in my family since the Mid 1960's when my father purchased it for my mom's. With that said, it's been in my family ever since. I remember my parents going to Central Park and catching a Few Cat Fish and adding them to the Tank. Many years later, I have it stocked with African Cichlids. Love this tank. My son will be carrying on this family tradition..
The reality though of metaframes is they pose electrical shock hazards unless that aspect is addressed :( That is the main reason you no longer see them made or used.
I know remaking it was much more difficult, but it reminded me of those shows on Netflix where they breathe new life into antiques - they normally have to replace a few things too. You made it properly, much safer, something that will last many more years than a simple clean up -- and now it looks like it gives more life and can be appreciated for what the tank originally was. The final product is absolutely amazing!! This was so much fun and interesting to watch!
This is truly beautiful. Yrs ago I built a 300L aquarium with slate sides and back. We had a large earthquake and I lost that as well as a 250L aquarium. I live in a light and airy house (no dark areas) now and have never got back into aquariums. Having said that you have inspired me to build a terrarium. Thank you so much for posting.
Do you have room to build an in-ground pond inside? That might be a bit more earthquake proof. I built a pair in an office building lobby lining it with EPDM, I think I have videos on my channel from 10 years ago. Been through a couple of four on the Richter scale earthquakes and that was enough for me, where were you and how big was yours?
love it! my neighbor had one of these vintage tanks that sat outside for years. I always wanted to ask if I could buy it, but never did. this restoration came out great, even the scape seems vintage.
@SerpaDesign beautiful restoration, I love metatank aesthetics! I am quite worried though that you didn't discuss or address in your build the reason these are no longer made or used. A frame that conducts electricity needs to have the frame grounded or can be a source of electrical shocks of varying degrees. If your light isn't touching the tank/frame, and if you are using just air filtration it can be a non issue, but when you have like in your setup an electrical in tank filter, and lights that are touching the frame, it is very problematic. Cost of course comes into why they don't use metal for frames nowadays, but the main reason is the electrical threat.
agreed, was disappointed to see that he didn't address that aspect of why these are no longer made or used. I'm guessing @SerpaDesign is unaware of that aspect sadly.
So wild story. I've only recently subscribed to your channel @SerpaDesign, frankly I adore all the work here and have been binging through the videos. I never thought I'd learn a bit on aquarium tank history in the process! Well about a week after I saw this particular one, I went on vacation to the very small town that my family comes from. And like always I visit the old farmhouse that was left abandoned in the 60's. Lo and behold, I see a metal framed aquarium. Not the metaframe with the slightly angular edges that are wider at the bottom. Just straight metal. Of course I jumped into this collapsing house to pick it up. Not certain what I'm going to do with it at the time, but I like antiques with a story. And it was in good condition, with only the bottom glass pane broken. It's so old it still has the original asphalt sealant! I was tempted to make it into a foux aquarium for a glass topped coffee table. Or just sell it to a home that will put a piece of history to good use again. Antiques acquired just to sit on a shelf is painful to see, ya know? Well I got a chance to talk to my grandparents where I learned my late great uncle used to have almost 20 active tanks! When he left the hobby and moved he literally couldn't find anyone to take them all off of him. So he found homes for the fish and just left the tanks on the side of the road for free (this was back in the 60's mind you). So this tank is literally the last of his collection, and even confused my grandfather why it was in the house in the first place. So this set the spark in me to turn it into... something! flash forwards to today I discover that there's a whole aquarium store in town, and a fairly new one at that. I've had the videos from here rocking around my brain so I had to stop in. They gave me all the advice on making a blackwater tank, including good fish choices, wood, substrate for live plants, just the whole nine yards. Everything is falling into place and I guess I'm off to pick up the tools to replace the glass in the tank and seal it good. I've not had a tank-pet for many years since my ball python. But the stars aligned and now I'll be making another honest attempt with some fish. So thank you for making this inspiring, thoughtful, and caring videos. The sheer love you have for the hobby and for the creatures in your care is infectious and came to me just in time to find my own bit of family history almost left forgotten!
I raised guppies in a tank like this in the early 70's. Seeing this episode brought back so many memories of my first aquarium. I would love to find one like this and restore it as you have done. Great job as always.
I think it’s beautiful. The shiny metal in a very Art Deco frame really adds something. I think it’s fantastic you refurbished it but still kept as much original as was possible and would be best - keeping that slate piece makes it very unique. I’d love to see you do a refurbished Victorian or Victorian recreation aquarium/terrarium. They’re absolutely beautiful. But finding one would probably be so difficult if not impossible!
This brings back memories. My first aquarium was a fifteen-gallon Meta Frame tank. At the time, it was considered the top-of-the-line-modern aquarium. I haven't been able to find out when they were first introduced, but it was sometime in the middle to late fifties. Prior to that, tanks were made of common steel angle iron, welded together and given a heavy coat of paint. If the paint chipped or was scratched, the frame would rust. The thing about Meta Frame was that it was stainless steel, so it would never rust and looked great without paint. One reason that they are so uncommon is that they were only made for from fifteen to twenty years. After that, they were replaced by the All-Glass Aquarium. Making your own Meta Frame tank would be very difficult. If you look closely at yours, you will see that it required special machinery to cut, bend and weld the steel, but, if you had access to some stainless-steel angle iron, the ability so cut and bend square joints, and a good welder, it might be fairly easy to make something similar. The advantage to that is that such tanks are very strong. As long as you can lift the weight, you can pick up and carry such tanks around while full of water without having it spring a leak.
Well done. The old framed look is nice. For your top glass cover laying loose on top. I've used those little clear self adhesive rubber bumpers in each corner facing into the tank onto the bottom of the top glass to lightly lock snug in the top from sliding around. Beautiful.
the falling pieces comment is so true. used to be so impatient i would glue sticks and rocks together, try to pick them up before the glue dried, and end up with a pile of materials
I'd forgotten just how nice a metal frame tank can look. I remember my dad's one - he's painted the frame white with gloss paint that was flaking off - and it was made using putty! He'd bought it second hand, and ended up resealing it with silicone - over the putty! But the fish were happy and it worked well, somehow
Hi Tanner My name is Rose I have a Bryophta nursery in France, I have over 50 species of Moss, Liverwort, and Lichen... I was wondering if I could send you some of our moss or liverwort for you to work with? I tried to find an email to contact you but could not see one :)
Tanner!!! This build was so beautiful!🥹🥹❤️ But I have a question, are those lights suppose to emit UV rays at all? If so, can the UV rays pass through the glass?? I always thought it couldn’t. Thanks Tanner!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️
