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 🖼🎨☮

@SerpaDesign

Жыл бұрын

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.

@hyperactivehyperbole

Жыл бұрын

@@SerpaDesign omg that would be awesome, keeping my fingers crossed for the future

@kevin1smid

Жыл бұрын

Im also gonna give this a try with some rimless tanks, maybe even using wood or brass

@lb8384

Жыл бұрын

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.

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

@MHF22

Жыл бұрын

we can only do what we know at the time :)! I'm 28 nd maybe when I'm 60 I will look back on how I keep fish and be shocked now!

@catherinewholey3630

Жыл бұрын

@@MHF22 Yeah, there may be even more research, products and eqipment and info by then!

@Prophet_Isaiah

Жыл бұрын

That's terrifying!

@Name-ot3xw

Жыл бұрын

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.

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!

@JakeDogg-RIP

Жыл бұрын

Metal frames is stronger! 👊😉🐶

@artzlonga7934

Жыл бұрын

I think this tank is good for the bettas

@DreacoPlays

Жыл бұрын

Hi

@DreacoPlays

Жыл бұрын

@@JakeDogg-RIP metal frames "ARE" stronger

@boygerboy2286

Жыл бұрын

I hope you and your very large family are doing well!

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. 🤘

@alreadyputitup

Жыл бұрын

+1 the mistakes and corresponding solutions are THE best part. Oh and the final reveal of course :)

I really liked this episode. Seeing a scape in a rimmed tank was a nice touch.

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.

@voluntaryismistheanswer

Жыл бұрын

This was my first, too, circa 1975

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…

@SerpaDesign

Жыл бұрын

That's awesome! The aquarium hobby is very special. It's cool how it ties to memories like that and how so many stick with it for life.

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.

@SerpaDesign

Жыл бұрын

That's pretty awesome and cool that you still have the castle.

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!

@SerpaDesign

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate the support and hope you make it through your troubles soon!

I'm not even really into aquariums but I watch your videos every Saturday morning because they are relaxing and I appreciate the craft. Thank you!

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.😍

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..

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.

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.

@GreenCanvasInteriorscape

6 ай бұрын

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?

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.

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 ❤️

@migwat

Жыл бұрын

Ah my dad had a hexagonal tank! They were cool, never enough room though :")

@spinachmuncher7567

Жыл бұрын

@@migwat aaah that's so cool though! ✨

I had a 30 gallon Metaframe tank when I got my first iguana. Loved it. The slate bottom was great for a heat pad underneath, spread the heat out alot more than a glass bottom

@Ash_Wynn

Жыл бұрын

I bet it would! However in my opinion nothing beats the classic heat lamp... to me it just makes sense to have something that better imitates the sun, and the light looks really nice on a well decorated enclosure.

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.

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 remember those metal framed aquariums from my early childhood when my great grandfather raised guppies.

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!

@SerpaDesign

Жыл бұрын

Exactly how I found mine! Makes you wonder how many have been discarded.

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!

@SerpaDesign

Жыл бұрын

Definitely think it was worth the extra effort as well. Glad you enjoyed the build!

Mid-century tank......brings back memories.

Really wanna see more tank restorations and cleanings, really cool to see it going from, almost unusable, to fill decorated and clean

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.

Such a nice trip down memory lane. Lovely to see a old aquarium brought back to life!

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.

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!

The reason for the slate is so that there could be a heat source underneath (like of like a chafing dish at a catering event). This was because although there were electric heaters, it was still seen in common practice that this would be a viable way to keep the tank heated. The fish keeping community has come a long way!

@GreenCanvasInteriorscape

6 ай бұрын

I read that the Dutch during the 40s and 50s would have pilot lights running under their slate bottom tanks for heat

@corneliusmakin-bird7540

6 ай бұрын

@@GreenCanvasInteriorscape That would make sense 🧐

I love these kind of videos from you. Just perfect on a chill saturday afternoon. Thanks, man!

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.

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.

1974 I lashed out on a stainless steel 3ft version of these tanks with a matching two bulb light housing and hinged flip lid that had a turned bakerlite black handle that only opened halfway to the width. planted with undergravel system and a corner bubble filter, it was one classy system and worked well for about five years winning 1st place in established planted Aquarium catagory "no co2" at my local club where the judges visited. Using a vintage "Medcalf Bros" Hy Hlow C Reciprocating Piston Pump that chuggd away feeding 2 x 3ft tanks. happy memories and nice to see. Cheers UK...

Love it! Had those tanks growing up and raising my own son! He took it with him when he left home!

No matter how long I spend watching your videos I always manage to find one I haven’t watched yet and you constantly blow my mind with the quality of your work

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 :)

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.

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!

I am 68 yrs. old, have owned a number of slate bottom fish tanks back in the day. After high school I got out of fish keeping as I was moving constantly all over the USA. Sometime in the early 80s I thought about starting a collection of these slate tanks to save for the future. there were tons of them for next to nothing in garage sales. All-glass tanks were becoming the rage and taking over, so I knew slate tanks might become valuable due to being impossible to find. Unfortunately, I didn't. I haven't seen one in years! To me they are the best way to go, if you can find one! Fun watching you fix this one up! I think that is the size of my first tank! (5 Gallon?)

I'm in the process of refurbishing a 30 gallon Metaframe, and this video was very helpful, thanks! I've been scouring old aquarium books to find an accurate aesthetic and stocking of old-fashioned fish and scapes

The hardscape insert has such a perfect shape and motion, I love it!

Love the lights, embracing the metal look and not downplaying it was a good choice

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.

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

My first tank, in 1967, was just like that except with a less pleasing scape. Fun vlog and nostalgic. Thanks, Tanner.

I think the frames make me feel safer, like it holds it better hah (considering you seal it better). Retrofuturistic tank idea ?

@myplantaddiction3611

Жыл бұрын

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.

That 60 year old tank turned out super cool! I love the Exclamation Point Rasboras that you stocked with the Rams horn snails 🐌. The plants were great with that scape. Thanks for giving me a new idea to scape my nano tank. Gina Hetlage

Thank you for the information about how to refurbish those old tanks. I travel too much to maintain fish these days, but when I settle down, I would love to recreate the tank of my childhood! I had ordered a Metaframe fish tank from Montgomery Ward and raised the “wild type” guppies given to me by a school friend. I would LOVE to have an old Metaframe with guppies again!

The metal frame makes it feel like I’m looking out through the window of a submarine into the scape

I just want to say thanks for putting this content out there. I'm a 911 dispatcher and my days are extremely stressful but you've given me a hobby that I never would have imagined I'd be able to get into and it's brought so much to my quality of life. It's given me a great outlet for stress relief and I'm really grateful that I've got this instead of drinking myself to death like many of my colleagues. Thanks again ❤️

@nanwijanarko1969

8 ай бұрын

Stay safe! I wish I could get into aquascaping one day. Nowadays my stress outlet is still staying in bed.

Phoenix Rasboras!! They're perfect for this tank! I love this scape. I just got a few old tanks from an old hobbyist myself and this is really inspiring - we have a lot to owe to the folks who made the hobby what it is today

So much of what I do with terrestrial mosses immersed and submersed is thanks to you! Over the years you've given me so many more tools to apply to husbandry and projects with 'found' materials from my own yard and nearby. You've enabled a lot of people. I favorited this video as a reference for the sealant used with slate as I've almost pulled the trigger on antique tanks before. Now if I do, I have more confidence and references to do so.

I’ve been really into vintage decor lately but I haven’t considered vintage tanks or enclosures at all! I definitely cannot do one this level of justice as you have but it really makes me want to keep my eyes peeled for one.. 👀 thanks for the great video Tanner!!!

Plz save as many of these beautiful tanks as you can. You did amazing 👏.

I love old style tanks so much this made me so happy to see it being restored and turned into something beautiful.

I have a 5 gal long Metaframe. One summer, about 50 yrs ago (maybe a bit longer) my grandparents arrived from out of province for a visit.. They brought us the tank with blue gravel, a bubbling pirate ship and a fantail gold fish. Grandma, Grandpa and Goldie are long gone but the tank and the memories are still with me.

My dad has had meta frames for years I finally found my dream metaframe, the 55 gallon and cant wait to re do the whole tank thank you for the tips!

In the 60's when we had aquariums like this, they never looked so good.

I hope you’ve recovered from your injury! Wonderful to see you back to making beautiful tanks.

This tank and scape all look sort of retro, I love it!

I’ve never even thought about searching for an antique tank, but now I HAVE to find one! I’m fully a frameless, rimless, lidless guy…until today!

Thank you for this! I used to have one of these with some water sprite, a couple of gambusias and a 25 watt tubular incandescent aquarium bulb. Somehow that little aquarium with its "porthole" effect had a warmth and magic that I'll never forget.

I'd forgotten about those tanks having slate bottoms. So cool!

I love it. I agree with you completely, antiques should look antique. I'm glad you kept it as original as you could

Love the Metaframe tanks. Takes me back to my childhood. Yes, I'm that old.

Something about this is so sentimental. It touches my soul. Thank you for your awesome work, Tanner. Adore your content

Love the hard scape on this one! The directionally is visually beautiful

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.

I LOVE the vintage style of this setup. Great refurbish project!

I don't know if you did this on purpose, but I really like the plant selection. It feels like a throwback to simpler times. These were the only plants that would really do well for me back in the day.

@SerpaDesign

Жыл бұрын

In some ways yes actually. I didn't want to do something extremely elaborate since the enclosure itself is kind of the focus.

I have to agree with Tanner here; the Metaframe tank emphasizes a completely different aspect of the scape! 😮 I also love how his passion for this living art is so evident in the video. . . I was smiling the whole time! I look forward to these videos so much.

Evan the gooseneck lights adds a cool retro vibe! Home run project!

I have one just like this!! It’s a 20 gallon with the slate bottom. I’m so glad I happened upon this video! I’m planning on restoring mine but I didn’t know how to go about it. Thank you so much for making such an in depth and detailed video!

I currently have a tank like this that I'm about to repurpose as a terrarium! It was fun to watch you restore this thing.

It is like a picture frame. I miss my old tanks.

My daughter (8) and I love to watch your videos together! So informative and interesting- as well as being totally family friendly!! 💓

I really love the look of the aquasoil mixed w gravel

Thanks to your vid I was able to repair my 29 gal Metaframe! The Dowsil 795 was perfect for sealing the replaced broken glass! Thanks for this vid!

Loved the ‘retro’ look of the old tank. Had one when I was young. Good job on the refurbish!

Nice! My grandfather had a 20H metal frame guppy tank I grew up with. My first tank was a 2.5g metal frame guppy tank when I was 4. I still have that tiny tank. Now, I'm kicking myself. My friend had a pristine 10g metal frame in packaging in his parents house. We were cleaning out the attic and there it was... alas I left it there.

I really love how the metal frame, frames the scape in the last shot. It looks like a photo I would print and hang on my wall. Just adds another layer of perspective.

Stunning, I was bought up with living room full of fish tanks, and they were retro ones as I was born in the late 70's, it was my Dad's hobby, and I even had a tank I set up in my bedroom for neon tetras, Mountain cloud minows, and of course guppies lol. I do miss having fish tanks so I'm going to ask my pops to come over and help me set one up (instead of having boring TV!!) Your scapes have given me so many ideas. Your scape is beautiful. However every time I see your sink my OCD kicks in and I just want to clean it 😂😂😂😂❤

Man that tank looks really cool!

I enjoy your videos very very much, I rarely ever comment, but when I love a video I just can't help it. The world needs more creative and innovative people like you, thank you for these videos

Such an awesome build. Love how the tank itself looks after restoration. Stocking is just perfect too!

I had a 10 gallon aquararium back in the 70s. You aquascaping looks great. I love an aquarium with lots of live plants.

Metal and wood rims have a certain classic feel to them that just can't be replaced, no matter what

So beautiful! 🌿

Just found one of these at a thrift store and was instantly reminded of this video! Might even be the same manufacturer!

Beautiful scape and tank! Love it!

That was my 1st aquarium many, many years ago. Brings back happy memories of a special Christmas morning. Santa had set up the tank, filled it and EVEN had guppies swimming around in it. Could not believe he made his journey with all thatT

So glad you decided to finally restore it! I just picked one up recently after searching for a few years, after watching this I’ll definitely be taking mine apart to restore! Thanks for the as usual super comprehensive guide!

Really nice contrast between the metal and the wood/nature elements.

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 love this. I always learn so much about composition of scape when I watch your videos. Thank you!!

absolutely awesome restoration

I have one and it is my pride and joy. The frame is just steel and it sits on it's wrought iron stand. I had it all sand blasted and powder coated then I put back in the glass (that was in amazing condition) with black silicone.

This tank is absolutely beautiful! I love everything about it, and i think its cute how its framed

Very Retro!!! What was old is new again. Ala Serpa!

You have made so many fantastic projects, but I think this is one of my favourites. It turned out really peaceful and charming