New to site and to saltwater

[KJones90s]

Hi just started setting up a 60 gallon saltwater tank with a 25-30 gal custom sump/refug.
It’s my first saltwater tank, looking for any advice, tips, tricks, good stores to visit, literally anything that will help make my tank a success.

I’ve invested in a protein skimmer and am currently working on getting the salinity in my tank to a stable level because as of now the salinity in the tank is about 1.020 while the sump is more around 1.028. After I get that figured out I’ll be moving on to cycling my tank and and open to any suggestions.

Thanks guys [emoji4]

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Welcome to R2R. Is your sump not connected to your main tank?

 

[Jon Fishman]

How are you getting the salinity to be different in the sump and display?!?! It's the same water!

 

[KJones90s]

How are you getting the salinity to be different in the sump and display?!?! It's the same water!

I guess everything wasn’t mixed thoroughly, the salinity in the tank is at a steady 1.020 right now.
I thought a 14 pound bag would get me into the range I’m looking for but guess I need to go get another [emoji38]
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should cycle the tank?

 

[KJones90s]

Welcome to R2R. Is your sump not connected to your main tank?

Yes it is, the salt was mixed in the tank and settled a little bit in the sump. It’s all straightened out now.

 

[KJones90s]

60 gall in all it’s glory, will still aquascape the rocks.

Homemade sump with refug, not sure how much water it holds but I’ll guess about 30
(It was a pain in the butt putting together but I’m proud of it [emoji1434])

 

[sfin52]

Welcome to reef2reef. Once you get live stock. its a good idea to mix the salt in another container. Do you have
Pics of the tank

 

[KJones90s]

60 gall in all it’s glory, will still aquascape the rocks.

Homemade sump with refug, not sure how much water it holds but I’ll guess about 30
(It was a pain in the *** putting together but I’m proud of it [emoji1434])

Runs with a current ramp timer pro, 2 powerheads, and I’m not sure the model on the skimmer anymore.

 

[Raege]

Welcome to R2R and the salt life

 

[JDnKY]

Welcome to r2r! Glad to have you on board. Looks like it’s going to be a nice build.

 

[ThatFishGuy]

Welcome to R2R! Looks like something great is gonna happen here.

 

[Leadfooted]

Nice tank! Is that a Marine Orbit LED? That was my first light, did well for my LPS. Welcome aboard!

 

[sfin52]

Runs with a current ramp timer pro, 2 powerheads, and I’m not sure the model on the skimmer anymore.

Looks good

 

[KJones90s]

Welcome to reef2reef. Once you get live stock. its a good idea to mix the salt in another container. Do you have
Pics of the tank

Was literally posting them as you asked.

 

[KJones90s]

Nice tank! Is that a Marine Orbit LED? That was my first light, did well for my LPS. Welcome aboard!

Yes it is, I’m glad to hear that.
I definitely plan on having coral.

 

[Leadfooted]

You'll have some low PAR (light) on the outsides of the spectrum on the sand bed. Don't let anyone tell you that's bad. Try to keep the flow medium to low for these low par areas on the sides and they'll be a great place to add Mushrooms, blasto's and similar corals the thrive in those circumstances.

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! Nice setup...