This Decision Has Haunted Me All Year 

Thank you so much for an incredible year SerpaSquad! I can’t wait to show you what I have planned for 2024. Next year will definitely be more consistent as well in terms of the upload schedule. This has been a wild year, and I appreciate your support, viewership, and patience through it all. Have a Happy New Year, and I’ll see you all in 2024!

Dude. I know how to take moss from my yard and acclimate it to grow underwater because of you. Your content has been inspirational for so many people, even if you stopped tomorrow, you've already made a substantial impact in people's lives through better complex husbandry, a love for natural elements and displaying what we can create with things around us. You make quality displays accessible through showing people how, as well as how to improve upon methods you had issues with and overcome common problems with retaining water. Creating positivity around life with living elements is so important for mental health as well. A jar, some water and the right elements from outside can be the catalyst for a life long rewarding hobby with roots in other studies. I appreciate the information I've been able to apply directly. I appreciate the associated paths I've explored away from here. It all begins somewhere. For a lot of people, that place was and is here. We don't get to see the results of our waves, but others will feel them, even if they don't know what made them.

I gotta say I get so much joy from this channel even thought I don't own any set ups like you do, it's so nice to watch someone who's enthusiastic about what they do. your channel is so relaxing I can't wait to what you do in the future.

I love your counter/storage area set-up! What a lovely space to store all your materials as well as clean up and have everything together in one place!

Been watching you for about 5 years, never once had the thought of inconsistency when you needed a break! I appreciate the effort that you put in to make your videos the best as possible.

Thank you for all the fantastic content in 2023. Always new, always inspiring with so much attention to detail. The Perfectionism shows 😉 Big hug and Happy New Year !

I had seen a couple of videos in the past, but have been binging the last couple of weeks. Loved this personal update and PLEASE give yourself more grace in the schedule. Your library of videos is great, so the volume of content is plenty. Thanks for your contributions and for the care you provide to your animals.

Another year of absolutely killing it with each new project. The quality of your content is on a whole other level and I'm always looking forward to your videos. Glad to hear that you're trying to be more gentle with yourself, this kind of art really can't be rushed and the real fans won't mind the wait! The dedication that you put into your work and into the care of the animals really comes through in everything that you do. Happy New Year to you and your big happy family :) !!

Thank you for producing quality content on a consistent basis. Every one of your videos shows your dedication and perfectionism. It is a privilege to be able to watch your creations, getting inspired, and all of this is free to all of us youtube watchers. Truly good content takes time. Another thing I truly appreciate is that you are not wasting your audiences time by random advertisement of obscure products. Thank you again for all you do, your videos are worth waiting for.

Tanner you are truly amazing and absolutely worth the wait, would love to see more but the excitement felt knowing you’ve posted a video is the best. Looking forward to see what’s next in 2024!

You are truly an inspiration to so many people. I recommend your channel to everyone who mentions any interest in bioactive setups or planted aquariums. Thank you so much for sharing your passion and skill in such an accessible way! PS: I think it's awesome that you're focused on producing the best content possible even if that means it takes more than a week between videos. I'll never be able to understand the entitlement from viewers who complain about waiting an extra day or two for content they're getting for free. It makes absolute sense that you'd feel discouraged and distance from the comments because of that. I hope you continue to do what's best for your mental health and the quality of what you make.

the butterfly pavilion build was by far my favorite build you've ever done, because as a piece of art and as a habitat its a masterpiece imo. the continuous design of the segmented log is beautiful, and the way every part of the design takes the needs of each animal is truly amazing, you managed to get an astoundingly beautiful design, while going to length to ensure that the animals truly thrive. Also, I had no idea you were struggling with lyme disease. I'm glad you have good support, and i hope you keep giving yourself time to not overwork yourself and stay thriving. uploading less often is perfectly reasonable, especially for the level of work you do.

Love your channel and all the work you have put into your videos 😊 you have ignited a passion in me to experiment in this art form as well and I am loving every bit of it! Hoping for another great year!

Just found your channel and I coundnt be happier. It's awesome. I'm a nature lover and I'm always looking for ways to bring nature indoors and you've done that so beautifully. How fantastic. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent!! You have a new follower and will be sharing your channel.

Thanks so much for another year of quality content, I hope you learn to be less hard on yourself this year! We will all be here whenever you are ready to post! ❤🐊 🦎 🐠

I absolutely love the naturalistic style of the aquariums/barvariums/ whatever else because it feels like you have a slice of nature. I love plants and animals and your channel really heightened both of those, quality over quantity

Happy New Year Tanner and all the animals in the animal room!

You’ve done so many good videos this year Tanner, I cant decide on my personal number 1. For the new year I would love you to have a look into a communal tarantula enclosure. THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR SETUP. Balfouri tarantula create amazing webs and are a communal spider. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

I love your builds and try to emulate them in my very limited capacity for my own pets. Thank you for always being an inspiration.

Your humility is so refreshing. It makes a person of character and honesty. Love your stuff, wish I were even a fraction talented. I had pets of different species all my life, everything from hamsters to ferrets, fish reptiles. Presently at my age (62) I breed different Conure parrot mutations very carefully and with lots of love. Animals make things complete and content.

I can not belive people expect videos of this quality and if this kind of content every week. Thats an insane ask of anyone. Im greatful and durprised there is more than one video every few months.

I'm looking forward to watching what you will create next year! I think I didn't miss a single video this year. And I think it should not be a big deal if you postpone or skip a video... I mean look at what has been going on in your live! I don't understand where the expectation of some people comes from. I definetly prefer quality over qantity! And shouldn't it be one of the bonuses of beeing your own boss to adjust your shedule if you have to or if you want to do somthing more elaborate than you can within the limit of a week... I'd rather you take care of yourself as well as you do for your animals! Nobody profits if you burn out!

Honestly cannot believe you managed your elaborate, artistic and well executed videos on a weekly schedule before. It’s not sustainable. Happy that you’re taking the right steps for your health and family!

I personally love the update vids. I feel the update vids are a wonderful, but also RARE, addition, not done by many youtubers. There’s tons of people on youtube building and making all kinds of things. Showing us how to do it exactly. But most never bring it up again. Never do an update, sharing what truly worked long term and what did not, what they’ve learned and would do differently. It’s like most of those things were tossed out after, or put in storage. That makes them seem worthless. I love that your builds have a journey, an evolution, and you take us along to see it. Your builds are not a learning moment, they are a learning experience that keeps going.

After seeing the type of videos you put out, anyone who would accuse you of copying someone else is completely blind to your talent, your creativity and your natural instinct to create. I would give no attention to such comments… as the saying goes- consider the source! And the source can’t be that good. You are one of my favorite people to watch on RU-vid! Each time I’m blown away. Unfortunately, anyone can leave a comment no matter how ridiculous they are. Thank you for sharing your talent and your natural gift. You truly are among the elite.

Do I want more content? Of course! But also I understand you have to take care of yourself! I don’t care if videos are irregular, I’m just excited when you upload. You had a lot happening in ‘23!

I’ve enjoyed every video this year I’m looking forward to more

Tanner you're so awesome and have given me so much inspiration for me to get up and DO SOMETHING. (something I don't always do) my terrariums and fish thank you :) saludos desde Costa Rica :)

You've been one of my favorite content creators for years. I appreciate how much effort you put in your videos and how you value quality over quantity. I'm so excited for the projects you're going to share! Take as long as you need❤

Here’s what I always say about expecting perfection out of ourselves: Before age 45, I was too young to be perfect; after age 45, I am too old to be perfect; At age 45, there were a couple moments I was perfect - but, I slept through them.

Those entitled people piss me off so much. They couldn’t make half this stuff if you gave them 4 months but the unsubscribe if it takes you two weeks? Good riddance. You have a great community here and losing them just makes it better.

One of my favorite fishing RU-vidrs Lawson Lindsay definitely went through this same moment where making content sooooo much basically burnt him out a little bit so he took a step back.. so long story short yes it's hard to ignore the comments but man don't allow yourself to sink into the negativity you're great at what you do.. stay healthy and enjoy life. We love your videos. Happy New year

Happy new year!!!!!

My favorite channel by far 👏👏👏

Can someone remind me, what happened to the black knifefish and all the others that used to live in the destroyed 350 gallon paludarium?

I have been wanting to go bio active for my ball python but didn’t know where to Star. I have a 65 gallon top opening glass enclosure that he has Ben living in for the last 2 years he is around 3 1/2 feet long and of healthy weight do you have any tips for plants or setup ideas? Thanks for all the inspiration and keep up the great videos.

This Guy is a legend

Over! The 🧻 goes over 😂

I LOVED THE CROC VID

Found you this year and really love your content, please take your time on uploads as you need. Love the quality over quantity mentality when it comes to content, especially if it makes you happy

I recommend going back to some ASMR-ish videos with no narration, just progress on some projects and letting us watch you do your thing! I think that would help you get some videos out and would be fascinating to watch. Also, wouldn't mind watching you occasionally do maintenance on the little pals. It's a small aspect of the whole thing but may be fun to watch and let us get to know the little guys just a pinch.

Let's go!

I agree with all your choices. Except for the tp and crocks. Have a great next year. I'm still with you!

Don´t focus to much on the negative comments. Focus on the positive ones or ignore them all if that suits better. Keep in mind that it is your hobby although you make money of it.

I haven't watched many of your videos this year, however every time I do watch one of your videos I find myself fully immersed. Your focus on quality over quantity shows in the final product. In the several years I have been subscribed, I have enjoyed seeing a continuous, steady improvement in quality, going from fantastic to darn near perfect. The cadence of what happens within your videos is always pleasant as well. Here's to another year of one-upping yourself and more amazing projects and content!

How do you switch to a bidet if you are a renter

Immediate no to the toilet paper going under, immediate no. 😂

There are a lot of new ''terrarium channels'' including mine that all were inspired by you. You will always be the OG terrarium channel! I'm looking forward to your videos in the new year.

Count me as a viewer who doesn't mind an irregular upload schedule. It's generous of you to share so much of your process and experience. Pretty uncool of some viewers to snark about "missed" uploads. It's always worth the wait, anyway. I'm a new spider keeper and I loved your collab with the Butterfly Pavilion! Happy New Year 🎉🕷🦎

You were the one that introduced me to terrariums, now Im a happy owner of three bioactive paludariums and two aquariums

so surprising to me that you don't like your narration - it's in fact what I love most about your channel. It conveys so much passion, love and care for your animals and builds. Your storytelling is absolutely fantastic, keep up the amazing work! Already excited what 2024 will look like on the channel :)

Silent viewer here. You create amazing aqua- and terrariums and hoping for many more years of your content 👍🙂

I can confirm that you made the correct decision about quality over quantity. Watching your videos became a date night activity for myself and my husband, and although he knows very little about animal husbandry and aquariums, he loves watching you create beautiful pieces of nature. To another brilliant year of creativity and passion 🥂

It’s sad that people complain. Just remember they come here to escape their life for a moment. So if they are mad about you telling us you need more time on a video they have other things they need to work on themselves. The core base you have cultivated will always appreciate you as a person. We need to stay sane and take some time sometimes on a moments notice. I hope your 2024 is productive but also relaxing, you deserve time away to recoup! Most don’t know how hard creating can actually be. Thanks again my dude!

Just remember there are thousands of creators that put there all into videos that barely get 1000 views. You are one of the best on youtube don't let your humility and drive push you around. Legit, you have given millions of people insiriation to learn more about nature, brought positive change to the hobby and helped, at least me, work through some really tough mental health struggles with a beautiful, fufilling hobby. Thanks again, keep up the great work. ♥

This is an utter gem of a channel and you're an utter gem of a human being, Tanner. I'm sitting here, watching this video, and shopping for isopods, terrariums and springtails - something we would have never started looking at without you and your stories. Peace out, man.

What I love most about your channel is creating spaces that are as close to nature as possible. I am sorry RU-vid can be so challenging. Hoping 2024 is better for all of us.

Quality > Quantity every time People who are disappointed that you're missing uploads don't understand that that's why what you DO upload is so good!

You could upload projects in parts if it's taking longer. Then you don't have to feel like you have to put in more hours in a week to be able to complete a video. And people will be happy to see a more consistent uploading schedule.

You absolutely take time off to rest and do whatever else to ensure you're satisfied with the content you release. I'm still personally hoping you do a really big tank, but stock it with really little creatures, so fingers crossed for 2024 haha

Quality > Quantity! Your videos are amazing, no matter how long it takes you to get them out, I for one will be here to watch them all :D

You are not some random dude on the internet anymore. Your ENTIRE CHANNEL is a portfolio! It is an awesome representation of your skill as not only an amazing artist but as a TEACHER! You have, personally, taught me so much and are the sole reason I am very into the correct care and naturalism of tanks. I would not have been able to do nearly as much as I have without your help with DIY on a budget and your genuine compassion for animals. You are amazing. Thank you for showing us the beauty of proper husbandry.

I’ve been watching this channel for years and I think you’ve only gotten better and better. Take the time you need with your builds and uploads. I’m sticking around!

Regardless to say, I loved the idea of putting small gibbit terrariums onto crocs. Hope the performance of the video doesn't let you down and stop you from making such unique projects!!!

i found you through Ants Canada, i found him through Exotics Lair, i found him through Snake Discovery.....such a strange year & it all started with a gator called Rex, very glad for it :)

Never apologize for prioritizing self and mental-health. The nature of this format/social media is it is easy for everyone to get too used to instant gratification and forget that behind everything is real people with lives. One reason I love your videos is I always learn something and come away understanding the time it takes to create something living and sustainable. I know it is another platform, but would Patreon be a way to subsidize the update videos? Your content fills an important gap about the realities of sustaining something long term which as someone with ADHD I struggle with.

I am really glad to hear your words about your prioritization of quality over frequency of postings. I rather wait longer for a really inspired video where I can see that you are happy with it as well than watching good content creators like you burning out. Thanks for your hard work, the heart you set into it, and the entertainment and inspiration you bring to us viewers!

You’re one of the most down to earth and genuine creators on the platform! I think people recognize that. I’ve been watching your channel for a few years now, and yours is always the first video I click whenever you upload! As a creator myself (as a hobbyist, not at your level😮) I totally empathize when you post to the community that a project is taking longer and the video will be delayed. There’s so much other content on RU-vid, nobody needs to “find another channel” to fill the one week here and there that you miss…don’t listen to that nonsense. Keep doing you because you’re amazing and everything you create is incredible. Cheers to 2024🎉

Congrats on the year my guy, looking forward to more Saltwater tank updates in the future and the oddball little projects you cook up

Ayy You survived Lyme disease without getting a chronic illness! That is really lucky! I'm in terrible pain. PTLDS from late stage untreated Lyme disease is a life limiting condition and is tearing me apart.

Yo, 100+ hours per week is two full-time jobs! That is unfair to yourself! Upload less! Don't compromise quality, but you can make less stuff for us and still be a great storyteller, communicator, artist and inspiration to us all. You uploading once every two weeks or even less will still help all of us love nature. Please take care of yourself. If you burn out, we won't have any Serpa Design to inspire us. Please be sustainable with your career so we can share your videos on into the future.

Saw that you have bionicles in the background, maybe a bionicle terrarium (like le-wahi theme, which is the jungle region where Lewa is associated with)

I've learned so much from these videos and have been profoundly inspired in my own creature care! I'm indescribably greatful to have SerpaDesign as a thoughtfully and loving made resource

Yeah man!! You killed it! we all benefit from your efforts, and that translates to better care for the animals. 👍🏽

Do what you have to brother man. You are by far my favorite RU-vidr and I definitely look forward to your videos and I’m a little bummed out when there is none but I also understand you have a life outside of RU-vid. Your videos are a huge inspiration for me and I appreciate everything you have done and are doing. I’m just happy you’re doing it at all even if you have to take some time off here and there. Serpa squad for life! :)

I was sincerely flabbergasted when you talked about finding narration difficult. I love your narration! I am always enjoying the vocabulary, debit, intonation. It's unique, clear, precise, and easy to understand. I also don't understand ppl who fuss about posting schedule (viewers). One, I never noticed (sorry), and two, I'd rather have a beloved channel live long than burn out. Looking forward to 2024 projects!

Great video. I understand what you mean about the bad side of RU-vid. I've been a creator for a year now and yes, it can be very stressful indeed, even if it's only 1 in a hundred lovely comments. Sending you a hug and look forward to your videos in 2024. I hope healthwise you have a much better time ahead too

I have been a fan for a long time and I truly enjoyed how far you have come with this. I am a fan of your creativity and your true desire to create the perfect homes for all your critters. My favorite moment of this video is your discussion of giving yourself grace. It's truly important that you continue to do this because I am sure others feel this way, we do not want it to dampen your motivation to create and post content for us. I can't wait to see what you create this new year!

It's funny to hear that update videos don't perform as well - I almost exclusively watch build videos that I know have updates 😅 I love the storytelling in your channel, and my first thought 30 seconds into this video was actually that you've improved at speaking to the camera over the last few years I've been watching.

Hands down my favourite videos are the pond ones. There is just something so soothing about watching/seeing ponds being built. I hope there will be more next year

U need to do something with ants Canada

bruh dont pay attention to all those rediculus negative comments. I believe consistency is less important than achieving the best result possible. The best result possible by you means something dreamy. So keep going strong.

Make a 1.5 gallon nano aquarium for a few snails

im not sure if you’ve ever considered this but i would love to be able to support you through a patreon or similar service so you could truly focus on creating! it could take some of the pressure off of how each video performs and im sure lots of people would interested in further supporting your work! 🥰

You've had such a great year and I can't wait to see what you do next year. I watch everything almost as soon as they come out and taking extra time in uploads is good. You gotta take care of yourself and your health

Hi Tanner, I've enjoyed watching your videos and I've made my own "low budget terrarium" and it's still alive and kicking. Your videos doesn't only serve as entertainment, but also ASMR for people like me, that struggles to fall asleep due to mental issues, so thanks a lot ❤ I have the same issue with keeping my craft room tidy, but again you've inspired me to do it in a more efficient and aestheticly pleasing way. I love your t-shirt and I've ordered one - YAY! Happy Christmas and new year to you, your family, animal-friends and everyone that supports you ❤

The title made me think you where getting rid of big t

2023 passed do fast. I love your videos, and you have taught me so much😄🌿

I looked forward to your weekly uploads however personal health and getting the right work to personal life balance is important. If a schedule is what works best, perhaps aiming for every 2 or 3 weeks? Or maybe once a month for a major project with one or 2 update vids during the month? Personally im fine with whatever, just some suggestions 😊 when you do post i think yay, one is out! Its a bit like a surprise instead! I think it would be really cool to see some more terrarium builds in 2024 😊 and i CANNOT wait to see what you do with the giant vivarium when you revisit it!

Ive been a fan of your videos for years, I love how you always try to capture the feel of nature in all different scales. I hope next year goes well for you too, onwards and upwards!

i've got late stage lyme decease, it's no joke. glad you caught it early.

I don't keep up when your videos are supost to come out, but I'm always very excited to see it when it does. Keep up the beautiful work. I love it all. Have a happy, healthy new year.❤

This channel got me through some testing times mental health wise especially during the pandemic days as I type I'm surrounded 3 terrarium 2 aquarium and I'm right now acclimatising a dozen cardinal tetras . Thanks for all you do and all the best for the new year

I’ve LOVED the videos this year! Keep up the great work!

I think for a lot of people it is easy to forget that youtubers are just people too 😅 doing this as a job isn't easy at all I imagine.

It's truly inspiring to see how far you've come in recent years while sticking to your guns and creating art with integrity and conscience in your own time. Personally, I've seen too many long-standing content creators fall flat recently because they don't pace themselves or focus on the quality of their content over time. Keep up the amazing work and we'll look forward to the next chapter whenever you're ready. 🎉

Tanner on the off chance that you read this, sincerely thanks for your wonderful approach to the hobby. You are truly a steward of the animals that you keep and love so dearly. I had the pleasure of speaking with you at Aquashella in Orlando a few years ago and was blown away with how genuine and sincere you are in your message and shared love of animals. More than anything I was thrilled to have you ask about the animals I keep and genuinely be interested in current projects and goals I had. So thanks for being so approachable and a great voice in so many communities. Your channel is an awesome source of joy and inspiration for some many people! Thanks for all you do for the many hobbies all involved in keeping animals. Keep doing what you love, you bring a lot of light to so many people's lives.

TOILET PAPER GOES OVER, only villains put the roll on backwards.

I love watching your videos! They give me so many ideas on aquariums and things I want to do someday, when I have a home that has the room for them! I wanted to make a few comments on some of the things you mentioned in this video. Let me start with the two projects you had that were similar to someone else's. That's GOING to happen. It's like two different designers coming up with similar dress designs, or two music groups coming out with songs that sound similar to each other. There are only SO MANY original designs out there. Eventually content creators (such as yourself) are going to come up with the same or similar ideas. Either that, or someone is going to see a project they really like, and then create one for themselves, giving it their own spin... AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! As for you and the other guy coming up with the same waterfall desk idea... just understand that great minds think alike and leave it at that. I make jewelry and I put out a design I came up with a few months ago, that looked VERY similar to a design someone else put out almost a year ago. I posted a picture of my piece on facebook, and I got so many comments about how people loved my 'take' on this other person's design! I simply shrugged it off as two creative minds thinking alike... because eventually we are all going to come up with similar ideas. The second thing I wanted to comment on was that 'putting a video out every week'. Now I don't have a youtube channel. I am a content creator, but I'm not a VIDEO content creator. I create jewelry, and I crochet, write and publish crochet patterns. So let me say this. If you were to continue to push yourself to make a new video every week, you would get REALLY burned out REALLY QUICK! It takes a LOT of time, effort, blood, sweat and tears to do what you do! You aren't making reaction videos, or video game videos... you are creating natures works of art and making videos about what you've created. Now I may not have the experience you do when it comes to these aquarium designs, but I've had a few fishtanks in my time, and I've even tried to create a themed design for a couple of them. IT'S NOT EASY!!! Especially if you are working on a budget. First you have to come up with the idea in the first place. You have to make sure you have the material to make the build. If you are purchasing the material, it's majorly expensive! If you are making the material, it's time consuming! Even if this is all that you do, trying to put out that many videos that quickly is just INSANE!!! What you do is a hobby and a passion for you. Push yourself too hard, and it will cease to be a hobby and passion for you. It will become a job, and once it does, you lose the joy it gives you. So go at your own pace, create projects in your own time, and don't worry what other's say about it. That's really my two cents worth. Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Can we just agree it is IN-SANE how similar the waterfall coffee tables are? Like how DID that happen???