Adding sump to biocube 29!!!

[Docjpath]

I have BC 32 with intank media rack in middle chamber with filter floss only right now and icecap nano skimmer next to it. Icecap Skimmer works great compared to Tunze 9001 I first had. Run GFO/Carbon in last chamber using innovative marine nano reactor. I was considering drilling middle chamber and attaching Eshopps Overflow but the external overflow box Splash! showed is intriguing. Splash, any problems pinching the overflow tubing or return lines when you open lid? I really don’t want to drill tank even though everyone says it is not that hard. Tank has been set up for 2 years as softy only tank with few fish, but I want to run this tank into my main sump for my 120 mixed reef tank, so I can manage both tanks with Apex, perform easier water changes and share refugium and larger skimmer.

 

[SPLASH!]

I have BC 32 with intank media rack in middle chamber with filter floss only right now and icecap nano skimmer next to it. Icecap Skimmer works great compared to Tunze 9001 I first had. Run GFO/Carbon in last chamber using innovative marine nano reactor. I was considering drilling middle chamber and attaching Eshopps Overflow but the external overflow box Splash! showed is intriguing. Splash, any problems pinching the overflow tubing or return lines when you open lid? I really don’t want to drill tank even though everyone says it is not that hard. Tank has been set up for 2 years as softy only tank with few fish, but I want to run this tank into my main sump for my 120 mixed reef tank, so I can manage both tanks with Apex, perform easier water changes and share refugium and larger skimmer.

I have no problems with pinching. For the return line it comes through a pre-existing hole in the lid for cords and fits without issue. For the overflow box and tubing I had to cut the second existing hole to a longer and taller size to fit. I also had to cut off the third connector holding the lid on to fit the overflow. Normally I would have removed the lid but I have young children. Keeping the lid was a requirement.

 

[User1]

There are also videos out there with people drilling the back of the tank and installing a bean animal overflow. Basically the back middle chamber is the overflow box. Three holes for primary, secondary, and emergency down to the sump. Sump return over the top connect up to a 3/4" Sea Swirl and you are set. This way you can keep the lid on if you want or remove it and use the chambers for more rock / bacteria or refugium.

 

[SPLASH!]

There are also videos out there with people drilling the back of the tank and installing a bean animal overflow. Basically the back middle chamber is the overflow box. Three holes for primary, secondary, and emergency down to the sump. Sump return over the top connect up to a 3/4" Sea Swirl and you are set. This way you can keep the lid on if you want or remove it and use the chambers for more rock / bacteria or refugium.

I would have liked to have tried that when I set it up initially. However, the tank was established and about a year old when I added the sump. Drilling was out of the question. Modifying the lid and adding the over flow has worked well enough so far. You live and you learn in this hobby.

 

[Docjpath]

Hey Saf1, thanks for the comment about videos of drilling tank, I am pretty sure I have seen most of those. My issue, similar to Splash, is drilling the tank now that it is up and running for 2 years. The middle chamber will fit the Eshopps nano and next size up (I think) internal overflow but I would have drill tank vertically on back chamber instead of laying tank down and drilling from above. I would have to drill 2 holes for bulkheads and I am concerned about tank cranking while drilling if I can’t keep enough water around drill site with pump sprayer. I have also thought about XAQUA overflow, which technically only would require 1 hole for bulkhead. I guess my concerns really are about drilling a tank with critters and water in place, the what ifs of going wrong are concerning, but yes I would rather do internal overflow.

 

[Katrina71]

My son has considered doing this with his Biocube. I'd love to see step by step posts with pics!

 

[Fijismoothie]

I have a hang on back overflow, down to a sump in my stock cabinet. The sump is a bash sea Mano. I’m trying to set the system up so I can run the triton method. The last thing I have to do is add my skimmer which is an Aquamaxx WS-1. I’m having trouble getting my chaeto to grow though.

What overflow box is that you are using?? It looks perfect for what I'm trying to accomplish...

Also, can I ask how your chambers are setup?

 

[SPLASH!]

So I modified my tank while I moved. I drilled it and installed an eshoppes eclipse small overflow. I drilled the third chamber. I highly recommend this route. I also keep the temperature probe in the third chamber with some marine pure spheres. The middle chamber has the stock media rack with filter floss on top and Chemi-pure in the second rack. The first chamber is the heater with rubble rock and more marine pure spheres.

For my sump the first chamber is the refugium with chaeto and the ai prime fudge light. The second chamber has the aquamaxx ws-1 skimmer, and the last chamber is my return.

let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Fijismoothie]

Oh wow,

So I modified my tank while I moved. I drilled it and installed an eshoppes eclipse small overflow. I drilled the third chamber. I highly recommend this route. I also keep the temperature probe in the third chamber with some marine pure spheres. The middle chamber has the stock media rack with filter floss on top and Chemi-pure in the second rack. The first chamber is the heater with rubble rock and more marine pure spheres.

For my sump the first chamber is the refugium with chaeto and the ai prime fudge light. The second chamber has the aquamaxx ws-1 skimmer, and the last chamber is my return.

let me know if you have any other questions.

Oh wow, that's awesome! Was your tank drained when you drilled it or something you did whilst partly drained?

Appreciate the info

 

[SPLASH!]

It was empty. I drilled it right before I set it back up.

 

[OKCorals]

It was empty. I drilled it right before I set it back up.

Were you having issues with the HOB overflow? If not, what HOB overflow were you using? I'd love to add a sump, I'm just afraid to drill while the tank is up and running.

 

[SPLASH!]

I think I used this one:

PF-Nano HOB Overflow

Add an overflow to any aquarium with Eshopps PF series of hang on back overflows. Adding a sump to a tank will allow you to hide equipment and while adding water volume making your tank more stable. Traditional overflows require you to drill holes in your aquarium where Eshopps PF HOB overflows...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I wasn't having any issues with it. It never broke siphon while I used it, even when I lost power. It worked fine and as advertised. I wanted to upgrade to a drilled overflow to increase the flow through the system. The siphon would only allow what I estimate to be approximately 300 GPH.

I wanted to increase the flow through the refugium filter I have, so when I moved, I drilled the aquarium before setting it back up. I now see higher flow rates in the upper 600s, low 700s. I drilled it into the third chamber where the stock pump would normally sit, but if I could do it over I would have drilled it into the second chamber.

Let me know if that helps.

 

[Frankyfish]

So I'm piecing together a sump to add to my existing fully established biocube 29, this is my first reef tank so this is my first sump. I have 0 experience running plumbing and picking components. I ordered an eshopps nano cube sump off of this site from a fellow reefer and want to piece together everything I need to setup the sump. I understand that drilled is preferred trust me, but it's not going to happen so overflow box is the only way, please don't suggest drilling the tank. If anybody has used this sump please share what I initially need. Such as...
1. Return pump
2. Best plumbing to use (tubing, pvc, or combo)
3. Anything to reduce noise in the overflow
4. Which size overflow? I know I will be getting an eshopps or cpr because lifereef is out of the budget for now...I will most likely swap it out later
5. Anything else that I may be missing

Plumbing the whole thing is honestly my biggest concern I have no experience with bulk heads or anything so I will doing alot of research on this and won't be tackling this project right away until I'm 100% on the game plan.
I look forward to hearing some input from you guys, also in case anybody is curious as to why I want to add a sump to an all in one is simply because... well why does anybody add a sump to any system...increased water volume, increase the stability of a nano, less disturbance during water changes, etc etc.
I'm having no current stability issues just looking to improve because I just can't help myself lol. Thanks r2r

I know this is a old thread but I was wondering how the sump turned out? I have abiocube 32 and looking to do same thing.

 

[SPLASH!]

It works great. The only thing I wish I would have done different would have been to drill into the center compartment instead of the last one. But it’s held up no issues. I have even added more to the sump. I have an algae scrubber and protein skimmer down there.