Hey Reefers, Banasophia here! Just a quick intro and then let’s talk about this new all-in-one nano tank from Reef Casa, out of Toronto, Canada.
For those of you that don’t know me yet, I’m still pretty new to the hobby. I’m probably best known for keeping all-in-one nano tanks with stock lights… AND for having the most handsome fish, Hank, my yellow clown goby! He even has his own Instagram hashtag, #strikeaposehank!
I started out about five years ago when I got my then 11-year-old daughter a freshwater fish tank for Christmas. I loved the process of researching and helping her get it set up so much that within a couple of months I decided I wanted my own tank and decided to go with saltwater.
My first tank was my Biocube 16, which is a 16 gallon all-in-one setup with LED lights built into the lid. I absolutely loved it! I built my little reef around keeping a Biota captive bred mandarin dragonet from Live Aquaria. When the tank reached one year old, it was featured as the tank of the month on Nano-Reef, my favorite reefing forum.
About 6 months later, my tank was featured in Reef Hobbyist Magazine, which is a free publication you can often pick up from your local fish store (LFS), or you can find the latest issues with lots of great articles, here. It was such an honor to have my tank featured like that as a new reefer. I’m really grateful to everyone helping me learn the ins and outs of reef keeping, and I love helping others who are just starting out.
Now… anyone who knows me knows that I love Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and I’ll tell you, I felt like I was Charlie Bucket finding the golden ticket when I opened up an email message from March at Reef Casa a few months ago, entitled “Free Aquarium.” I was excited to read the details – he liked my build threads on Nano Reef and wanted to know if I’d be interested in trying out his new Studio 12 twelve gallon all-in-one nano tank setup. What an incredible opportunity, how could I say no?
Not only is this a chance to try a promising new all-in-one setup, I decided I would also try to start a YouTube channel and blog so I can learn some new skills, become even more involved in the reefing community, and try to see what I can do to help others in the hobby.
So without further ado, let’s check out my package from Reef Casa – also known as Fragbox TV on YouTube – and see what they sent me! It was pretty funny, in retrospect, that I started filming my first YouTube “unboxing video” having no idea what all was in the box! I thought they had just sent me the tank, pump, and light… but it was so heavy when I went to move it – I should have guessed there was a surprise inside!!
What I was excited about (and expecting) when I first went to open the package:
- the Studio 12 twelve gallon all-in-one (AIO) tank
- built in leveling mat
- filter floss holder
- return pump (200 gph), plumbing, standard return nozzle
- Reef Casa Halo LED light with built-in timer & sunrise/sunset
- flexible mounting arm, wires hidden inside
I didn’t realize that they were also sending me these optional items you can add on as well:
- custom mesh lid
- Reef Casa saltwater setup kit
- heater
- one month supply of Reef Casa pre-cut filter floss
- hydrometer
- Reef Casa bacteria hotel blocks
- Reef Casa beneficial bacteria and ammonium chloride
- three month supply of activated carbon
- digital thermometer
- Seachem Prime water conditioner
- Aquaforest reef salt
- two pieces of dry rock
- 6 lbs Reef Casa sand
I’m so happy to have a chance to test out this setup!! I’ll keep you posted on the progress and I’d love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!!
Next step – let’s get this tank wet!
And here’s my first real YouTube video, if you’d like to check it out… I have so much to learn, but I’m making progress… hoping to build some new skills and provide some fun and helpful content. Thanks for stopping by… and happy reefing!
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