Taryn's First Reef Tank (60 gal)

Taryn · 10-01-2006, 07:07 PM

Hello everyone. I have been a curious reefer for about 2 years and discovered TalkingReef about 6 months ago. I must say that I am very thankful for not only the podcasts but for the great (PATIENT) members of this website that are generous enough to help new people like me learn.

Like I said, I have been reading up on reef tanks for a few years and have been slow to get equipment. I don't want to make any mistakes. I recently bought a 60 gal acrylic tank and stand as well as a EuroReef Skimmer (model ES 5-2). The skimmer was used by its previous owner for 1 year.

Below you will see a picture of my tank and skimmer. The tank also came with a matching wood hood as well as the smaller black plastic one pictured at left. I assume the smaller one is supposed to go inside the larger wood one. I also am not sure whether or not the black plastic one would be a good candidate for a retrofit kit.

**wwest** · 10-01-2006, 07:37 PM

Taryn welcome to talkingreef, and i wish you luck on your tank. let us know if we can help...

Stevej72 · 10-01-2006, 08:52 PM

Hi Taryn Welcome to TR

**CarmieJo** · 10-01-2006, 09:21 PM

Hi Taryn,

to TR. Thanks for joining in chat last night.

**Amphibious** · 10-02-2006, 01:40 PM

Taryn

to Talking Reef Community and Podcast.

We think you will like it here. Lots of nice friendly reefers willing to share their experiences.

You are starting out with a great size tank in the 60 gal. We'll help you get through the set-up if you ask.

Dick

Taryn · 10-02-2006, 10:14 PM

Thanks to everyone for the kind welcomes. As for seeking advice on my tank, am I supposed to talk about my questions here on my tank journal? or go to a specific forum for that?

Well, I will talk about my questions here anyway. After listening to the Refugium podcast episode, I am thinking that I want to put a refugium 'chamber' into the sump. The glass tank pictured below was free (neighbors gave it away) and I was planning on making the sump/refugium with it. (Technically, it fits in the cabinet under the display tank, but there is a support beam that I would have to remove temporarily in order to get the sump tank in.)

The sump/ref tank dimensions are:
Inside: 23.5 x 11.75 x 15.5 (inches) excludes plastic rim
Outside: 24.24 x 12.5 x 16.75 (inches)

I'm not really sure how to design the layout of the sump/refugium, but reading Wildeone's early posts about constructing his sump/refuge has helped quite a bit. Would this type of sump/refugium design a be good one for me to follow as well?

I very much appreciate your opinions!

**CarmieJo** · 10-02-2006, 10:23 PM

Before you use the tank for a sump it will be important to know if it was ever used to dose a copper based medicine. If so you will want to save it for a QT tank and use something else for the sump. Copper can be absorbed into the seals and then leach into your tank killing your inverts.

I agree with adding a fuge.