Branespikin’s Family Reef Journey
- PNW Custom
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
PNW Custom Community Spotlight 🔦
Branespikin is a reefer whose journey spans more than a decade, and now, a new generation. His story is a perfect example of how reefing isn’t just about tanks and corals, but about sharing experiences, knowledge, and passion with the people around you.
A 13-Year Reefing Journey
Branespikin has been keeping aquariums for about 13 years, starting with freshwater as a kid before making the leap into saltwater.
“I always had a thing for fish, so I decided to give saltwater a try.”
That curiosity quickly turned into a long-term passion. Over the years, he’s owned a wide range of systems, from a 36-gallon bowfront with a HOB overflow, to 75 gallon and Red Sea setups, and now multiple large Waterbox reefs. After a pause during a move and basement renovation, reefing came back stronger than ever.
Today, his home reef lineup includes large display tanks alongside smaller systems, proving that every size tank has a place in the hobby.
Bringing the Ocean Home
When asked what he loves most about reefing, his answer captures why so many of us are drawn to this hobby:
“Watching all these animals and corals grow and thrive in an ecosystem I created… having that piece of ocean in my house.”
That sense of creating and sustaining a living ecosystem is at the heart of reefkeeping, and it’s something that never gets old, no matter how many tanks you’ve owned.
Reefing as a Family Experience
One of the most meaningful parts of Branespikin’s story is how reefing has become something he shares with his son.
“What brings me great joy is that I got one of my sons (10) addicted to the hobby.”
Working on the tanks together, doing maintenance, and passing down reef knowledge has turned aquarium keeping into quality family time. It’s also what led them to add PNW Custom tanks to their setup: small systems that are easy to manage, observe, and enjoy together.
PNW Custom Tanks in the Mix
Branespikin currently runs two PNW Custom aquariums:
40oz Micro Tank: set up for about 8 months
4 Gallon Frag Tank: set up for about 5 months
Both tanks live in his basement “man cave,” alongside his larger reef systems.
Despite their size, these tanks are packed with life.
40oz Micro Tank highlights:
Gorgonian
War Paint Scoly
Zoas
Candy Cane Coral
Red Macro Algae
GSP
Tony the Neon Blue Goby
Cleaner Shrimp
4 Gallon Frag Tank highlights:
Gorgonian & Orange Sea Whip
GSP
Toadstool Leather
Anemone
Palys & Zoas
Red Macro Algae
Baby Wartskin Frogfish
Acclimated Molly (temporary tankmate 👀)
Simple Setup, Simple Maintenance
Even with years of reefing experience, Branespikin appreciates how straightforward these smaller systems are. He found that the setup was a breeze and aquascaping is really not that hard. His son also helps with maintenance regularly.
“My son does weekly water changes on the 40oz in like 5 minutes.”
One of his favorite tips? Using smart outlets.
“I just ask Google to turn off the tank, and when I’m done I ask Google to turn it back on.”
Looking Ahead
To wrap things up, Branespikin shared this with us:
“We love the PNW lineup and will for sure be purchasing more tanks and PNW equipment/accessories.”
Stories like this are exactly why we love doing Community Spotlights. Reefing is all about learning, sharing, and building something meaningful, whether that’s a reef ecosystem or a connection with your family.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Branespikin. We’re honored to be a small part of it 💙 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.
