Reef Spotlight REEF OF THE MONTH - December 2022: Lou Schiavo's Pico Deskmate Masterpiece! Crazy awesome reefs can be tiny too!!

Photo of the reef as it was just getting started.

Introduction: The Eshopps Deskmate 4.8 gallon AIO (All In One) Pico Tank might sound tiny, but it can pack a mighty punch! This small, all in one aquarium tank can fit almost anywhere when space is an issue but still give you tons of options when it comes to adding coral and saltwater fish! This month we will take an in-depth look at Lou's Deskmate that recently won the Reef2Reef Pico Tank Challenge, and hopefully inspire you to see the beauty a small tank can provide!


System Profile:

• Display tank: Eshopps DeskMate 4.8 Gallon AIO Aquarium
• Stand: Office File Cabinet
• Mechanical filtration: Eshopps 2.75” Nano Filter Sock
• Carbon/phosphate filtration: n/a
• Return pump: Sicce Micra Pump (90GPH)
• Water circulation: Vivid Creative Aquatics-Random Flow Generator
• Lighting: Aqua Illumination Prime 16 HD Reef Light
• Calcium/alkalinity/magnesium dosing equipment: n/a
• Auto top-off: n/a
• Heating/cooling: 25 Watt Heater
• System control: n/a

Tank Specifications:

• Dimensions: 11" x 12" x 10"
• Display Tank Volume: 3.8 Gallons
• AIO Chamber Volume: 1 Gallon
• Total Water Volume: 4.8 Gallons
• Acrylic Thickness: 6mm

Water Circulation and Flow Summary and Objectives: Water movement plays a key role in maintaining fish & coral health in reef tank aquariums. My main goal is to keep the water moving enough to create surface agitation, prevent the accumulation of debris in the tank, behind rocks

Water Parameters:

• Temp: 76 Degrees (F)
• pH: 8.3
• Specific gravity: 1.025
• NO3: 10 ppm
• Ca: 420 ppm
• Alk: 8.3 dKH
• Mg: 1400 ppm
• PO4: 0.01ppm

What salt mix do you use?

Brightwell Aquatics NēoMarine Salt is the salt mix I choose. Mainly because we have used it successfully for many years at World Wide Corals. I never intended to chemically dose the tank and that is another reason why I chose this salt mix. It actually provides everything needed, all major elements, minor and trace elements, in precise natural seawater ratios; all ions are formulated to be present in natural seawater concentrations.

What kind of rock did you start with? Live rock selected from WWC private stock

What is your substrate? CaribSea Fiji Pink


Calcium/Alkalinity/Magnesium Summary and Objectives:

What and how do you dose for the big 3 (alk/cal/mag)? Not dosing, doing weekly water changes. The idea is that each week with a 1-2 gallon water change the tank gets a refresh Reducing nitrates & phosphatase as well as adding the needed elements back into the tank.


Are you dosing anything else for your reef health (carbon dosing, aminos, etc.)? I feed Polyp Lab Reef Roids 3 times per week

Lighting Summary and Objectives: Aquarium lighting provides the light necessary for corals to grow, thrive and stay overall healthy. Besides that, it also simulates natural light, which creates an environment that mimics a natural reef.


Photoperiod: Once you get intensity right, on your lights, my best advice and what I do is to limit the photoperiod to about 8-9 hours. Include a scheduled ramp up period of 1 hour and ramp down period of 1 hour to mimic the natural sunrise & sunset effect.

Filtration and Water Quality Summary and Objectives:

To export excess solids & remove dissolved organic compounds from the water.


What is your export strategy?

Mechanical filtration - It’s important to understand that mechanical filtration, the straining of particulate matter from the water is not a form of nutrient export. Uneaten food, fish poop, and other detritus trapped in a mechanical-filtration medium with water flowing through it will continue to break down and release dissolved nutrients into the system. It’s not until the sock is rinsed or replaced that the nutrients are truly exported.


What is your maintenance routine?

Daily: Clean the acrylic viewing area with a magic eraser sponge, top off with R/O water.
Weekly: 1-2 Gallon saltwater change, change filter sock and wipe down the outside of the tank. Also clean the sand with a small siphon house as well as blowing off the rocks to remove any excess detritus with a turkey baster prior to changing the water.


Tank Inhabitants—Fish:

1. Yasha Goby
2. Pair of small designer clownfish (on wish list)

Other Invertebrates:

1. 1x Peppermint shrimp
2. 5 x Trochus Snails
3. 1 x Nassarius Snail

Tank Inhabitants— Corals:

My top 5 Favorite Corals in the tank

1. WWC OG Bubble Gum Monster Chalice
2. WWC Jawbreaker Mushroom Coral
3. GMK- Grand Master Krak Zoanthids
4. WWC Pink Krakatoa Zoanthids
5. Jason Fox My Miami Chalice

Fish and Coral Feeding: Broadcast fed the tank 3x’s per week with PolypLab Reef Roids

Any stocking regrets? No

Any fish, invert, or coral you will NEVER keep? Sea Apple

What do you love most about the hobby? The people you meet, sharing your reef keeping knowledge, aquarium success and failures is what I love the most about the hobby.


How long have you been doing this? 16 Years

Who was responsible for getting you into the hobby? Victor Fornari - Business Partner at WWC


If you could have any tank, what size would it be and why? 2000++ Gallon Floor to Ceiling reef tank. Because of the sheer magnitude of feeling like you are part of the aquarium when you are in front of it.

Favorite fish? Hawaiian Flame Wrasse

Favorite coral? Acropora

Favorite invert? Sexy Shrimp

How do you typically get over setbacks? By stepping back to really analyze what is going on then formulating the best plan of attack. Also by consuming a few Moscow Mule Cocktails (Grey Goose Vodka Dose)


Have you faced any major challenges with this particular tank, and if so, how did you overcome it? Yes… bubble algae, manual removal-be careful not to pop them inside the tank. Apitasia, added a peppermint shrimp- all good now

Any special tips for success or advice you'd like to share with other reefers? Be patient & stay consistent as possible on your tank care & aquarium husbandry


Final Thoughts? It is definitely an honor to be featured as a Reef2Reef-Reef of the month for the month of December 2022. This tank project got me fully back into reef keeping after several years of not keeping my own personal reef. I am glad to be back!!