A Thriving Universe in 20 Gallons: Dive Into This Stunning Nano Reef!

Nano reef tanks, those captivating slices of the ocean under 30 gallons, hold a special allure. They challenge aquarists to create a complete, thriving ecosystem within a compact space, and when done right, the results can be truly breathtaking. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on a particularly stunning 20-gallon reef aquarium – a vibrant testament to what passion, precision, and the right technology can achieve. Join us as we explore the life, hardware, and dedicated care that make this little universe tick!

A Living Tapestry: The Inhabitants

The true heart of any reef tank is its diverse array of life. This 20-gallon marvel is practically bursting with color and movement, thanks to a carefully selected community.

A Coral Gardener's Dream: Initially, we heard whispers of "18 different species of live coral," but a closer look reveals an even more impressive collection! This reef boasts at least 23 distinct types of corals, creating a rich, textured underwater landscape:

• Leather Corals (The Soft Architects): Adding flow and structure, we find a fantastic quintet:

  • Devil's Finger

  • Devil's Hand

  • Classic Toadstool

  • Delicate Cabbage Leather

  • An elegant Gorgonian swaying in the current.

• Zoanthids & Palythoa (The Color Bombs): Providing carpets of vibrant color, the tank features:

  • An incredible array of 8 different kinds of Zoanthids, each with unique patterns.

  • A striking Palythoa species, adding to the polyp garden.

• LPS & SPS Corals (Stony Coral Wonders): These bring bold shapes, intricate structures, and vibrant colors:

  • The ever-popular Frogspawn (also known as Hammer Coral)

  • A beautiful Duncan coral, with its eager polyps.

  • A branching Trumpet coral.

  • The unique Potato Chip Coral (Pavona decussata), known for its distinctive wafer-like plates.

  • A vibrant Green Pavona coral, adding another layer of encrusting beauty.

  • A captivating Favia coral, showcasing its intricate stony structure.

• Other Softies & Mushrooms: Adding more unique textures and movement:

  • The rhythmic Pulsing Xenia.

  • Two different species of Mushroom corals, adding splashes of color to the rockwork.

Fin-tastic Residents: Adding a splash of dynamic movement are two perfectly chosen fish for a nano reef:

• A Blue Velvet Neon Damsel: Its deep blue hue provides a stunning contrast to the bright corals.

• A Neon Dottyback: With its electric colors and inquisitive nature, it darts amongst the rockwork.

The Cleanup Crew & Foundation: No reef is complete without its diligent janitors and the foundational rockwork:

• 20lbs of Live Rock: This forms the backbone of the reef structure and biological filtration.

• A busy team of hermit crabs and two emerald crabs diligently work to keep algae and detritus in check.

The Engine Room: Top-Notch Equipment & Smart Automation

Keeping such a dazzling array of life thriving in 20 gallons requires a robust and reliable life support system. This tank is kitted out with some excellent gear, much of it cleverly automated:

• Filtration Powerhouse:

  • Oase BioMaster Thermo 350 Canister Filter: The primary workhorse for mechanical and biological filtration, ensuring crystal clear water. The integrated heater is a great space-saver!

  • SunSun Pre-filter: Attached to the Oase, this helps catch larger debris, extending the main filter's maintenance intervals and improving efficiency.

  • SunSun UV Sterilizer: Working in tandem with the filtration, this unit helps control algae spores and harmful microorganisms, promoting a healthier aquatic environment.

• Water Clarity & Purity:

  • Sicce Nano Shark Protein Skimmer: Essential for reef tanks, this compact skimmer actively removes organic waste before it can break down, helping to maintain low nutrient levels crucial for coral health.

• Intelligent Water Management:

  • SmartAuto AWC/ATO System: This is a game-changer! This device handles both Automatic Top Off (ATO) with fresh RO/DI water throughout the week to maintain stable salinity, and Automatic Water Changes (AWC).

    • As pictured with the setup, three dedicated containers hold fresh saltwater for changes, RO/DI for top-offs, and a discard container for used saltwater.

    • The AWC is manually triggered via a button on Tuesdays during servicing, performing a consistent 2.5-3 gallon water change weekly. The discard container is conveniently emptied about once a month when full.

• Perfect Illumination:

  • Nicrew HyperReef 200 (Gen 2) LED Light: This powerful LED provides the crucial spectrum and intensity corals need for photosynthesis and vibrant coloration.

    • It runs on a precise 10-hour schedule daily, automatically turning on at 12 PM, ramping up through various daytime spectrums, and then ramping down to shut off at 10 PM – all without needing to touch a button.

• Dynamic Water Flow:

  • Hygger HG-050 Wavemaker & Hygger HG-010S Wavemaker: Two wavemakers ensure varied and robust water movement throughout the tank, vital for delivering nutrients to corals, removing waste, and preventing dead spots.

  • Smart Control Integration: Leveraging Google Smart Devices, these wavemakers are controlled via voice commands and Google Home routines. This allows for customized flow patterns based on time of day, feeding schedules (reducing flow so food reaches its target), or during cleaning services.

Dedicated Husbandry: The Daily, Weekly, and Automated Rhythms

A reef tank is a living system that thrives on consistency. Here’s how this 20-gallon beauty is maintained:

• Automated Stability: As mentioned, the SmartAuto AWC/ATO handles the heavy lifting of water changes and top-offs, while the Nicrew light consistently delivers the ideal photoperiod.

• Daily Dosing for Growth: To replenish essential elements consumed by the growing corals, All-For-Reef is dosed daily at a total of 5.0ml, administered in small increments over a 10-hour period. This ensures a steady supply of minerals without shocking the system.

• Targeted Feeding:

  • Corals receive a nutritious meal of Larry's Reef Frenzy Nano three times a week.

  • The fish are fed Reef Nutrition TDO pellets daily.

A Small Tank, A Big Statement!

This 20-gallon reef aquarium is a shining example of how dedication, careful planning, and modern technology can create an absolutely mesmerizing underwater world. It proves that you don’t need hundreds of gallons to experience the joy and beauty of a thriving coral reef. Every element, from the tiniest zoanthid polyp to the sophisticated automated systems, plays a crucial role in its success.

Inspired to start your own reef journey, or perhaps enhance an existing one? At EasyClean Aquatics, we specialize in bringing such aquatic dreams to life. Contact us today to discuss your vision!