I started this 6-gallon Reef Casa Pico on May 19th, 2024, looking for something budget-friendly and low-maintenance that would still challenge me. I chose a pico so I could stay in the hobby and try keeping SPS in a small space.
Aquarium Profile and Equipment
- What type of saltwater aquarium is this?
- Mixed Reef
- Total Water Volume
- 6
- When did you start this tank?
- May 19, 2024
- What is your aquarium made of?
- Glass
- Aquarium Length (inches)
- 16
- Aquarium Width (inches)
- 15
- Aquarium Height (inches)
- 7
- Aquarium Overflow/Drain
- All In One Tank
- Aquarium Sump
- NO Sump
- Aquarium Stand
- Two Door Chest
- Aquarium Controller
- NO
- Aquarium Controller Make and Model
- N/A
- Protein Skimmer
- YES
- Protein Skimmer Make and Model
- Bubble Magus Mini Q
- Aquarium Reactors
- None
- Return Pump
- Reef Casa Return Pump
- What types of equipment are you using for water flow and circulation?
- Powerhead
- Water Flow and Circulation Equipment List
- Jecod ELW Smart Wave Maker Circulation Pump with Magnetic Base (ELW-3M, 660GPH)
- Aquarium Lighting
- LED
- Lighting Equipment List
- AquaIllumination AI Prime 16 HD LED App Controllable Saltwater Aquarium Reef Light - Black
- Lighting PAR and Goals
- Haven’t checked!
- Dosing Equipment
- Other
- Dosing Equipment Detail
- All-for-Reef as needed! (Calcium Formate)
- Auto Top Off or ATO
- YES
- Aquarium Heating and Cooling
- I am using a heater or heaters
- Water Temperature
- 78
- Heating and Cooling Equipment Detail
- YukiHalu Small Submersible Aquarium Heater, Adjustable Mini Fish Tank Heater 25 Watts
- Additional Equipment Detail
- N/A
Aquarium Water Chemistry and Parameters
- Specific Gravity
- 1.025
- Nitrate or NO3
- 10
- Phosphate or PO4
- 20
- Calcium
- 420
- Alkalinity
- 10.2
- Magnesium
- 1350
- Salt Brand
- Tropic Marin Reef Mix Store Use Salt 230 Gallon Bag
- Trace Element Dosing
- N/A
Aquarium Natural and Mechanical Filtration
- Substrate
- Sand
- Substrate Level
- Shallow
- Live Rock
- 5
- Live Rock Type
- PNW Customs Lagoon Aquascape
- Nutrient Export
- Protein Skimmer
- Floss
- Carbon
- Other Chemical
- Water Changes
- YES
- Water Change Details
- Weekly Water Changes!
- Nutrient Export Details
- Poly-Bio-Marine Filter Aquarium Media Pads changed daily!
Brightwell Aquatics Phosphāt-E Liquid Phosphate Remover
Aquarium Tank Inhabitants (fish, coral, invert etc.)
- Fish List
- Cardinalfish
- Clownfish
- Total Fish
- 2
- Coral List
- SPS Coral
- LPS Coral
- Soft Coral
- Mushroom Coral
- Invert List
- Anemone
- Crabs
- Shrimp
- Snails
- Clams
- Urchin
- Livestock Detail
- Fish: Orange Storm Clownfish, Banggai Cardinalfish.
Snails: Trohcus, Astreas, Margaritas, Ceriths, Nassarius, Bumblebees, Stomatellas, Collonistas.
Shrimps: Cleaner Shrimps, Blood Fire Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, Bullseye Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus soror), Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp.
Clams: T. Crocea
Anemone: Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone
Softies: Eclectus Mushroom, Neon GSP.
LPS: Space Invader Pectinia, BSA Kalaidascope Rainbow Chalice, Blue Platygyra, Frammer, Psammacora, War Coral.
SPS: Acropora, Anacropora, Hydnophora, Montipora, Pavona Pocilipora, Stylophora, Seriatopora.
- Livestock Quarantine
- No Quarantine
Aquarium Nutrition (fish, coral, invert etc. feeding)
- Fish Feeding Frequency
- One Daily Feeding
- Coral Feeding Frequency
- Once weekly
- Fish and Coral Feeding
- Pellet
- Frozen
- Live Food
- Auto Feeder
- NO
Additional Aquarium Information
- What do you think are the keys to your success in reefing?
- I believe the success of my reef tank can be attributed to two key factors: starting with biologically mature rock and maintaining unwavering consistency in husbandry. The rock I used had been previously established in another reef system for two years, allowing it to develop a robust and diverse microbial community long before it entered my display. This provided a stable biome from day one, significantly reducing the volatility often associated with new setups, especially those started with dry rock.
Equally important was my dedication to water quality through routine maintenance. I performed weekly water changes without fail. Over 30 consecutive changes and exactly 50 total within the first year. This level of consistency not only helped export nutrients and replenish trace elements, but also gave the system a steady environment to mature in, free from drastic swings or prolonged imbalances.
In my experience, early microbial stability combined with disciplined husbandry laid a solid foundation that continues to benefit the tank today.
