Making The Best and Easiest DIY Aquariums From IKEA?

Comments · 2.2K

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  @SerpaDesign · 4 years ago · pinned

  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!

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• IS

  @Ishiisan · 4 years ago

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

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• TE

  @TerryMcGearyScotland · 4 years ago

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

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• AC

  @AckoMunze · 3 years ago

  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!!!

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• RO

  @rodjsy6363 · 3 years ago

  Hi,<br>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. <br>It might be good to make a video with different joint spacings to see how easy a small joint fails?<br>I was often repairing tanks damaged during shipping where the glass had been bonded touching and a slight impact would break the glass.<br>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.<br>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.<br>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!<br>Thanks Rod

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• LO

  @lovefolster9465 · 2 years ago

  the smashing glass to illustrate tthe dangers of working with glass is the most 50s-educational-video cute thing i*ve seen all week &lt;3

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• CR

  @Cravos060290 · 4 years ago

  if I may give you a good advice: I&apos;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.

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• MI

  @MizuSky · 4 years ago

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

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• 01

  @011y89 · 4 years ago (edited)

  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

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• J0

  @j0hnf_uk · 3 years ago

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

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• MI

  @Michael-Vidya-Anasakta · 3 years ago

  Hi Tanner, there are sites on YouTube 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.

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• ND

  @ndjones8856 · 4 years ago

  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&apos;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&apos;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.

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