Reefing With Intention: @otdreefs’ Small-In-One Evolution

PNW Custom Community Spotlight 🔦

Meet Josh (@otdreefs), an aquarist whose PNW Custom Small-In-One has become a living slice of the ocean beside his DJ setup, a calming studio companion that reflects years of growth and community.

Hooked Early and Hooked for Good

Josh’s aquarium journey began when he was just 10 years old, after his dad introduced him to a 25 gallon tall freshwater tank filled with lively tetras. The movement, the variety, and the ecosystem dynamic instantly captured his attention. That same tank eventually made its way into his bedroom years later, this time housing goldfish.

Even college couldn’t slow his love for aquariums. What started as a simple 2 gallon betta on his desk quickly escalated.

“I tried to keep things simple with a 2-gallon betta on my desk… but that clearly didn’t scratch the itch 😅.”

Before long, his dorm room was home to both a 5 gallon and a 10 gallon tank full of guppies. Still, saltwater felt different: intimidating, complex, almost mythical.

“Saltwater always felt like the final boss of the aquarium hobby.”

For years, reef tanks seemed like something reserved for experts. But as technology improved and information became more accessible, Josh realized something important: modern reefing isn’t guesswork. It’s process-driven. And process becomes habit. Those habits create stability, and stability builds thriving reefs.

The Switch That Changed Everything

A major turning point came when Josh discovered Reef Builders on YouTube and watched Jake Adams working on the Red Sea Nano. At the time, that tank felt enormous and aspirational. The storm clowns and unforgettable green star polyp wall completely shifted his perspective.

“Seeing the storm clowns and that unforgettable green star polyp wall completely flipped a switch.”

Jake Adams' Nano tank.

After extensive research, he finally took the leap and set up a Fluval EVO 13.5 in February 2023. A few weeks later, he added his first clownfish and that was the moment everything clicked. From that moment on, he was fully reef-hooked.

Around that same time, Josh was streaming DJ sets on Twitch. On a whim, he searched “coral” in the directory, which led him to Kush Corals. That spontaneous click became foundational to his reefing journey. What started as music turned into weekly streams, long reef discussions, and absorbing knowledge simply by being present in a passionate community.

“What started as music turned into weekly streams, countless hours of reef talk, and soaking in knowledge just by hanging out with other reefers being reefers.”

That community connection is also where he met Harley from PNW Custom, a relationship that further shaped how he learned and experienced the hobby.

Reefing With Intention

For Josh, reefing is about more than aesthetics. It’s about growth, responsibility, and constant learning.

“My favorite part of keeping aquariums is the fact that I get to learn something new every single day — about my fish, my corals, and the science that makes the whole ecosystem work.”

He views reef tanks as living systems that require intention and stewardship. What truly brings him joy is reefing with sustainability in mind, focusing on long-term health, responsible choices, and steady progress rather than shortcuts. The hobby also naturally builds community through sharing frags, passing along knowledge, and encouraging new reefers. Being able to experience so much biodiversity from a desk or couch never loses its magic.

The Studio Reef

Josh had always envisioned a reef tank sitting beside his DJ setup, something calming and alive in his creative space. When he added a PNW Custom Small-In-One in March 2024, it fit perfectly.

“I’ve always wanted a tank next to my DJ setup in my studio, and the PNW Small-In-One was the perfect fit — lightweight, low-maintenance, and just the right footprint.”

Positioned directly in his line of sight while he works, the tank serves as both inspiration and balance, a quiet slice of ocean next to the music.

An Unexpected Anemone Evolution

Over time, Josh kept a wide range of corals in his Small-In-One, including torches, hammers, mushrooms, gonis, and even montipora. But one spontaneous addition shifted the tank’s direction entirely. A friend found a tiny anemone (no larger than his thumbnail) and Josh added it almost randomly. Under the light, it thrived. Within a year, it had split into two. Soon after, two became four. As the anemones expanded, space naturally became limited, and Josh gradually removed other corals to give them room.

“Now, my Small-In-One has officially become an anemone tank, and the stock pump and light handle it effortlessly.”

The only fish in the system is a Yellow Clown Goby named Pico: small, vibrant, and perfectly suited to the scale of the tank.

Simple Setup, Surprisingly Stable

Josh describes setting up his PNW Custom aquarium as smooth and stress-free. With a custom scape already primed with bacteria and live sand, cycling was straightforward and predictable. Everything clicked into place, allowing him to focus on the enjoyable parts of reefing right away.

“Maintenance on this tank has been surprisingly easier and more stable than my 13.5-gallon!”

In a micro reef, water changes are manageable and consistent, often as simple as removing and replacing what amounts to a glass of water and swapping filter floss.

“When a water change is basically just a glass of water and swapping some filter floss, you’re basically cruising.”

Small systems reward good habits and those habits build long-term success.

Join the Reefing Community

Josh’s message to anyone considering reefing is simple:

“If you’re on the fence about reefing, take the leap.”

When challenges arise, reach out to local reefers, fish stores, or online communities. The hobby is filled with supportive, knowledgeable people who genuinely want to help others succeed. Reefing may seem intimidating at first, but with the right process and the right community, it becomes one of the most rewarding hobbies you can pursue.

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.

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