With a capacity of just 22.5 litres, designing this tank is a particular challenge. Danny has managed to transform it into a flourishing coral garden.
Aquarium stocking and decoration in a small space must be well thought out. Danny's Aquariums (known not from radio and television, but very well from Instagram and YouTube) is an expert when it comes to aquarium design for nano reefs. A colorful underwater garden was quickly created in the small, relatively flat Pico Reef Casa.
In addition to easy-to-care-for corals such as Zoanthids and mushrooms, there are a few macroalgae and mangroves in the tank. A useful cleaning crew of hermit crabs, Babylonia snails and a cleaner shrimp keeps the aquarium in good condition. The single damselfish is only a temporary guest in the aquarium and is just waiting to be moved to a larger tank. Long-term stocking with fish is expressly not recommended in a tank of this size.
Corals for small reef tanks
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Features of Danny's Pico Reef Casa
Technology
The aquarium is a complete tank with a technical compartment from the US brand Reef Casa. It comes with a return pump, heating element, filter unit with activated carbon and LED lighting. The Pico Reef holds 6 gallons (approx. 22.5 liters) and measures 405 x 380 x 178 mm.
Danny also uses a random flow generator for alternating turbulent flow patterns in the aquarium.
Decoration:
The natural structure consists of a few dry reef rocks surrounded by Carib Sea's Ocean Direct Live Sand.
routine
The water quality is ensured by weekly water changes of 25% (approx. 5 liters) with Fritz Aquatics RPM sea salt. Immediately afterwards, Danny uses a bacterial preparation (Fritz Aquatics Zyme9) to stimulate the nitrogen cycle and thus prevent nutrient problems.
Water values (except for salinity and temperature) are deliberately not tested, as these can change very quickly in the small biotope. Instead, Danny observes the corals and as long as they are nice and open and look good, there is no reason to worry. The stock consists exclusively of robust and resilient corals.
The reef inhabitants are fed a little Vitalis fish food every day. The excrement and leftover food are enough to supply the corals with nutrients.
