A Reef at Work: BBWolf’s Small-In-One
- PNW Custom
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 5
PNW Custom Community Spotlight 🔦
Meet BBWolf, an aquarist whose 1.5 Gallon Peninsula has become a calming centerpiece right on their work desk, and a gateway into the hobby for others around them.
A Hobby Passed Down Through Generations
BBWolf has been keeping reef aquariums for about two years, but their connection to the ocean goes back much further. Their introduction to reefkeeping came from their mother-in-law, who has been keeping some form of reef aquarium for over 30 years. Her lifelong love of the beach and the sea helped spark a passion that’s now grown into a meaningful part of BBWolf’s daily life.
A Source of Peace in a Busy World
When asked what they love most about reefkeeping, the answer was simple and powerful:
“My aquariums bring me peace.”
No matter how stressful the day gets, at work or at home, taking a few moments to watch the tank allows everything else to fade away. That sense of calm is something we hear again and again from our community, and it’s a big part of why desktop aquariums are so special.
The 1.5 Gallon Peninsula at Work
BBWolf is running a PNW Custom 1.5 Gallon Peninsula, which has been up and thriving since October 26th, 2025. Instead of being tucked away at home, this tank lives on their desk at work and it's a popular conversation starter.
Coworkers regularly stop by to admire the corals, ask questions, and talk about reefkeeping. So far, it’s already inspired two people to start planning aquariums of their own, which is exactly the kind of ripple effect we love to see.
Corals That Thrive in a Small Space
Despite its small footprint, the tank is packed with life and color. The coral lineup includes:
A single rock frag holding five different types of zoanthids
A blue Duncan
An electric green Duncan
A pink favia
A rock flower anemone
A Strato coral
Thoughtful Stocking Plans
At the moment, BBWolf isn’t running any fish, and that choice is very intentional. With a work schedule that keeps them at their desk only a few days a week, and some recent travel, they wanted to let the system fully settle first.
When the time is right, they’re considering adding a Flaming Goby, a perfect micro fish for a setup like this.
Truly Plug-and-Play
One thing that stood out in this spotlight was just how smooth the setup process was:
“This is the only tank that I have started that did not require any upgrades. Everything worked straight out of the box.”
Simple, Stress-Free Maintenance
Maintenance has been just as easy as setup. It’s a low-effort routine that keeps the tank stable and thriving. With only two snails in the tank, BBWolf keeps things simple:
Feeds corals once a week using Benepets and Coral Inertia
Performs a 20% water change two days later
Swaps out the filter floss
A Full-Circle Moment
There’s also a special full-circle moment behind this build. BBWolf and their wife first met Harley two years ago at Reefapalooza New York, and that interaction left a lasting impression. When the opportunity finally came to add a tank to their desk, they knew exactly where it needed to come from and exactly which tank it would be.
“I love the peninsula look and the tank and stand look great on my desk.”
Thank You, BBWolf!
Thank you for being part of the PNW Custom community and for showing how a small aquarium can create calm, spark curiosity, and bring people together, even in the middle of a busy workday. Your tank is a perfect example of what desktop reefkeeping is all about.
If you have a tank that’s bringing joy to your space, we’d love to feature you in a future PNW Custom Community Spotlight.
