Adding sump to biocube 29!!!

[Jd120988]

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

 

[Jd120988]

Also if anybody has any tips or tricks to adding a sump to an existing tank feel free to chime in.

 

[Water Dog]

Check out YouTube videos for sumped Biocubes for inspiration. I believe the Eshopps nano overflow will fit in the back chambers. If using the Eshopps overflow and sump, then just get the Eshopps 1" ID flex tubing and it will be pretty much plug and play. In the nano overflow, get rid of the prefilter sponge in the external box and replace it with a stockman standpipe built from PVC parts. This will reduce noise from the overflow and reduce the chances of flooding by eliminating clogged sponges in the external box.

 

[Jd120988]

I've spent most of last night and today doing just that, do u have any ideas/suggestions for a return pump, mag 5 seems to be pretty consistant for biocube sump returns however in this particular sump I need a return pump that measures 3.5 x 5.5 or smaller.

 

[Water Dog]

I'd try to go a little less than the overflow capacity adjusting for head pressure cuz I'm assuming you are keeping the rear chambers in place.

 

[Jd120988]

Yea keeping them in place, so if I'm following correctly what your saying is to get a return that will be slightly lower then the max flow of the overflow. For example if the overflow is rated up to 200gph then get a pump that will pump slightly lower then 200 gph at the head? Obviously we don't want to overwork the capacity of the overflow because that sounds like a flood lol.

 

[Water Dog]

Yup!

 

[Jd120988]

Ok I'm going to do some measuring and calculating to get this figured out, thanks for the help so far I'm sure I'll have some more to ask as I progress.

 

[Water Dog]

Good luck! Be sure to post some pictures to document your progress.

 

[Jd120988]

Thanks will do

 

[clowner]

I recomend using filter floss as a mechanical filtration as it will also dampen the noise compared to a sock
Quick question: any reason as to why your adding a sump?
I have the new biocube 32 and as of right now i see no reason to add a sump.

 

[Jd120988]

I recomend using filter floss as a mechanical filtration as it will also dampen the noise compared to a sock
Quick question: any reason as to why your adding a sump?
I have the new biocube 32 and as of right now i see no reason to add a sump.

I have been employing filter floss for quite some time. I actually was in no rush to add a sump because I didn't have much of a need for it. Tank has been meticulously maintained with scheduled maintenance and has been completely stabilized through a control and ato, I just have this problem with making something good into something better, so my question is why not add a sump to a reef tank isn't that what most reefers do. Increased stability, increased water volume and because I just can't help but make it better lol.

 

[Jd120988]

Ok so I'm kinda thinking about going with a sicce 1.5 for my return, I will be using an eshopps pf-300 overflow box rated up to 300 and this pump is rated up to 357 gph that I should be able to dial this return pump in nicely. It's only pumping 3' 7" so not alot of loss but hopefully with a ball valve on the return I can get it dialed in nicely. Does this sound acceptable or any other suggetsions?

 

[clowner]

I have been employing filter floss for quite some time. I actually was in no rush to add a sump because I didn't have much of a need for it. Tank has been meticulously maintained with scheduled maintenance and has been completely stabilized through a control and ato, I just have this problem with making something good into something better, so my question is why not add a sump to a reef tank isn't that what most reefers do. Increased stability, increased water volume and because I just can't help but make it better lol.

Then i think ur best move would be to get a bigger tank with overflow

 

[Jd120988]

Then i think ur best move would be to get a bigger tank with overflow

Ahhh I do have a bigger tank that's getting drilled eventually just piecing it together still, my biocube is perfect for my location and I'm in no rush to setup another tank I'm still not done having my fun with this tank plus it's my first reef tank and I want to be seasoned before jumping into another build. Do u think the return I'm looking at will be good for my application? I'm really looking for information as to what may work as I stated this is my first sump and I want to do it right.

 

[jason_mazzy]

a sump increases total water volume, decreases swing potential, and gives additional room for mechanics and filtration... the better question is: Why not add a sump?

 

[Jd120988]

a sump increases total water volume, decreases swing potential, and gives additional room for mechanics and filtration... the better question is: Why not add a sump?

So I'm not crazy?

 

[jason_mazzy]

So I'm not crazy?

not at all (from a sump adding point anyways).

 

[Wunderpus]

How did this work out? Anyone else do a HOB overlfow to sump on the 29/32 BioCube? Very interested in this.

 

[SPLASH!]

How did this work out? Anyone else do a HOB overlfow to sump on the 29/32 BioCube? Very interested in this.

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.