Reviving a Ruined 60 Year Old Vintage Nano Aquarium
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- čas přidán 3. 05. 2024
- While driving through my neighborhood a few years ago, I stumbled up something special in someone's trash... a 60 year old Metaframe Aquarium! This wasn't the first time I recovered a tank in this manner, but it was the first time I found a vintage tank like this. I was very excited, but years later and I still haven't done anything with it. That is, until now.
Unfortunately, I couldn't just go and create a new aquascape in the tank. The entire thing needed cleaned, dismantled, and reassembled with some new materials. After all, the thing is 60 years old! A lot went into all of that, but I'll let the video tell the rest of the story.
Enjoy the build/restoration and let me know what you think in the comments!
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00:00 Intro to Metaframes
01:00 Pre-Restoration Inspection
01:55 Dismantling the Aquarium
04:13 A Clean Frame
04:33 Replacing the Glass
05:29 What Silicone to Use?
06:09 Reassembling the Tank
07:34 Doing a Water Test
08:28 Creating the Hardscape
10:37 A Pre-Formed Scape
11:40 Setting up the Aquarium
13:07 Adding the Plants
14:14 Final Details and Fish
14:56 Finished Design
#aquarium #restoration #serpadesign
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.
@@SerpaDesign omg that would be awesome, keeping my fingers crossed for the future
Im also gonna give this a try with some rimless tanks, maybe even using wood or brass
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
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!
@@MHF22 Yeah, there may be even more research, products and eqipment and info by then!
That's terrifying!
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!
Metal frames is stronger! 👊😉🐶
I think this tank is good for the bettas
Hi
@@JakeDogg-RIP metal frames "ARE" stronger
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.
🤘
+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.
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…
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.
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.
This was my first, too, circa 1975
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.
That's pretty awesome and cool that you still have the castle.
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!
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!
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 ❤️
Ah my dad had a hexagonal tank! They were cool, never enough room though :")
@@migwat aaah that's so cool though! ✨
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.
Mid-century tank......brings back memories.
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
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.
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
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..
Really wanna see more tank restorations and cleanings, really cool to see it going from, almost unusable, to fill decorated and clean
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!
Exactly how I found mine! Makes you wonder how many have been discarded.
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.
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!
I love these kind of videos from you. Just perfect on a chill saturday afternoon. Thanks, man!
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.
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.
This is so cool and retro looking . If someone had their living room decorated with mid century furniture , this tank would fit right in ! Watching this reminded me of all those old car restoration videos , lol!
Such a nice trip down memory lane. Lovely to see a old aquarium brought back to life!
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 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
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.
Love the lights, embracing the metal look and not downplaying it was a good choice
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!
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?
The hardscape insert has such a perfect shape and motion, I love it!
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.
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!
I read that the Dutch during the 40s and 50s would have pilot lights running under their slate bottom tanks for heat
@@GreenCanvasInteriorscape That would make sense 🧐
Love it! Had those tanks growing up and raising my own son! He took it with him when he left home!
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!
Plz save as many of these beautiful tanks as you can. You did amazing 👏.
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 :)
It is like a picture frame. I miss my old tanks.
This tank and scape all look sort of retro, I love it!
Just found one of these at a thrift store and was instantly reminded of this video! Might even be the same manufacturer!
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
I LOVE the vintage style of this setup. Great refurbish project!
My first tank, in 1967, was just like that except with a less pleasing scape. Fun vlog and nostalgic. Thanks, Tanner.
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 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
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!
Evan the gooseneck lights adds a cool retro vibe! Home run project!
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!
Definitely think it was worth the extra effort as well. Glad you enjoyed the build!
I really enjoyed this build, my first tank was a rimless tank that I got when I was 11 years old . That was 50 years ago and it still doesn't leak. Complete with pink sand, lol. I have a bunch of Metaframes sitting in my basement waiting for a new life. Thanks for the inspiration.
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
I remember those metal framed aquariums from my early childhood when my great grandfather raised guppies.
Love the Metaframe tanks. Takes me back to my childhood. Yes, I'm that old.
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.
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...
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!
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!!!
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 😂😂😂😂❤
You have made so many fantastic projects, but I think this is one of my favourites. It turned out really peaceful and charming
Even if you didnt want to do it originally, replacing the glass was definitely a good choice for making this tank look great.
I don't know exactly why, but this is one of my favourite of all your builds. It looks amazing!
Metal and wood rims have a certain classic feel to them that just can't be replaced, no matter what
I love it. I agree with you completely, antiques should look antique. I'm glad you kept it as original as you could
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 really love the look of the aquasoil mixed w gravel
I'd forgotten about those tanks having slate bottoms. So cool!
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 ❤️
Stay safe! I wish I could get into aquascaping one day. Nowadays my stress outlet is still staying in bed.
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
Love the hard scape on this one! The directionally is visually beautiful
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.
I love old style tanks so much this made me so happy to see it being restored and turned into something beautiful.
You're a talented guy, I'm glad I found this channel. There's something relaxing about watching one of these at the end of the day.
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!
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.
This is awesome, the frame makes it look like an old TV. I particularly like the hardscape, great work!
I had a 10 gallon aquararium back in the 70s. You aquascaping looks great. I love an aquarium with lots of live plants.
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 really think the extreme style builds were the bread and butter of this channel. Things like the waterfall in a jar and the millipede mountain were dope. I've been saying this for a long time but I totally think you should a build of the floating mountains from avatar. I know you could do that in a really cool way! Hope you're doing man. As always, thanks for sharing.
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 hope you’ve recovered from your injury! Wonderful to see you back to making beautiful tanks.
What a great job. I love your attention to detail. Going all the way with a total job of replacing glass and resealing makes this a beautiful antiquey aquarium.
Great job! That space age design is very cool and you chose the perfect lights.
I could see myself with an aquarium like this. The metal frame makes it feel like a picture frame.
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.
That's a lot of work but you took your time and did a great job! Thanks for sharing the video of your progress and taking us along for the adventure.
I think the frames make me feel safer, like it holds it better hah (considering you seal it better). Retrofuturistic tank idea ?
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.
Something about this is so sentimental. It touches my soul. Thank you for your awesome work, Tanner. Adore your content
Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane 60 plus years ago that was my very first style of aquarium man am I feeling old I still have my very first 10 gallon and a few other small tanks with the Metal Frames 😉
I love the look of slate as a nice natural but flat material
i'm glad you got that spark back to your voice. :)
Looks Amazing! The rim makes it look like a beautiful picture!
My daughter (8) and I love to watch your videos together! So informative and interesting- as well as being totally family friendly!! 💓
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!
Really nice contrast between the metal and the wood/nature elements.
Yeah, totally get what you mean about the charm of a good scape in one of these. The metal frame really does give it a picturesque framing that totally works.
That slate drop was so satisfying 7:00👌
Tanner your a god in this realm.. true artist. much love and respect from North Devon ,England x
Loved this one! Would rescue these slate bottom tanks back in the 90’s, but I didn’t have the knowledge or skill to restore them like you have Tanner. Very cool project.