Reef Casa Studio 12 Mark II — All-in-One 12 Gallon 3 Chamber Nano Reef Aquarium - Reef Casa

The Reef Casa Studio 12 Mark II is an all-in-one 12-gallon (45-liter) nano reef aquarium designed for both beginners and experienced aquarists. With its compact dimensions of 16" x 15" x 11" (405 x 380 x 280 mm) and frameless 5mm ultra-clear glass, it offers a stunning view of your marine ecosystem. The Studio 12 shares the same footprint as the Pico 6, but with 4 inches of additional height, doubling the available water volume for your corals and fish.

Why choose the Reef Casa Studio 12 Mark II

• Integrated 3-chamber filtration: Three separate rear filtration chambers for filter floss, activated carbon, and the return pump – no external plumbing required.
• Improved Mark II version: After two years of refinement, the Studio 12 has been redesigned for optimized filtration and even simpler maintenance.
• 200 GPH return pump: Return pump included with directional nozzle and pre-installed plumbing for optimal water circulation.
• Rimless ultra-clear glass: 5mm ultra-clear glass for exceptional visual clarity of your corals and invertebrates.
• 24-month warranty: 24-month manufacturer's warranty on silicone and workmanship – the best in the industry for a nano aquarium.

What's in the box

• Reef Casa Studio 12 Mark II aquarium in 5mm ultra-clear glass
• 200 GPH return pump with hose and directional nozzle
• 1 pre-cut square of Reef Casa filter floss
• 1 bag of high-purity activated carbon
• Self-leveling mat
• Integrated 3-chamber rear filtration

Technical specifications

• Display Volume: 12 gallons / 45 liters
• Dimensions: 16" x 15" x 11" (405 x 380 x 280 mm)
• Water height: 10.5 inches
• Glass thickness: 5mm ultra-clear
• Filtration system: 3 integrated rear chambers
• Return pump: 200 GPH included
• Directional nozzle: 1 output included
• Warranty: 24 months on silicone and workmanship

Installation and maintenance

The Studio 12 Mark II is ready to install in minutes. Place the filter floss in the first chamber, activated carbon in the second, and connect the return pump in the third chamber. Fill with saltwater and start the pump. For optimal cycling, add Reef Casa Bacteria Hotel Blocks. Regular maintenance: change the filter floss twice a week, carbon every 1-2 weeks, and perform a 25% water change every two weeks.

Reef compatibility

With 12 gallons of volume, the Studio 12 offers increased flexibility compared to pico aquariums. It is suitable for soft corals, LPS, zoanthids, and even easy SPS like Montipora. The larger water volume allows for keeping fish such as gobies, small captive-bred clowns, and cleaner shrimp. The 3-chamber filtration system offers better parameter control than a pico tank.

Why choose the Studio 12 from ReefSolution

ReefSolution is an authorized Reef Casa dealer in Quebec. Secure delivery across Canada. Free delivery available depending on order amount. Complete your nano reef system with compatible accessories available from us:

• Reef Casa Halo Reef LED — LED lighting with timer, dimmer, and full spectrum for all corals, including SPS.
• Reef Casa Beam Reef LED — Compact, quiet lighting for soft corals and LPS.
• Reef Casa Surf Mini Wave Maker 1600 GPH — DC wave pump for 4 to 25-gallon aquariums.
• Reef Casa Bacteria Hotel Blocks — Biofiltration blocks equivalent to 20 lbs of live rock in colonizable surface area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Studio 12 and the Pico 6 from Reef Casa?

Both share the same 16" x 15" footprint, but the Studio 12 is 11 inches tall versus 7 inches for the Pico 6. The Studio 12 offers double the volume (12 vs 6 gallons) and has three filtration chambers instead of one, allowing for more fish and corals with more stable parameters.

Is the Reef Casa Studio 12 a good reef aquarium for saltwater beginners?

Yes. The Studio 12 is often recommended as a first nano reef. Its all-in-one design with 3-chamber filtration simplifies setup and maintenance. The 12-gallon volume offers more tolerance for parameter errors than a pico, while remaining compact.

Which LED lighting should I choose for a Reef Casa Studio 12?

The Reef Casa Beam is suitable for soft corals and LPS. To keep SPS or control the spectrum, the Reef Casa Halo or the Manta 75W are recommended. Many aquarists also successfully use an AI Prime on the Studio 12.