Sump for Biocube 32

bfd211

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Hi all,
I have a pretty well-established Biocube 32 with live rock and softies and I'm thinking of taking the filtration to next level by adding a sump, skimmer and UV in the cabinet below. That said, the placement of the tank doesn't allow for much back wall space for a HOB overflow box so I am considering drilling through the untempered glass back wall of chamber 2 and installing a bulkhead so I can run flex hose down to a sump in the cabinet below. The return pump would connect right to the return spout. Anyone here tried this lunacy before and if so, what should I be prepared for? I've done the hole-drilling and plumbing homework.
 

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Sounds pretty cool. Might you just plump a large UV sterilizer instead of a sump the same way? I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve.
 
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bfd211

bfd211

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Sounds pretty cool. Might you just plump a large UV sterilizer instead of a sump the same way? I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve.
I guess I could keep it to just the UV with an in-line pump but I'd like a protein skimmer in a sump as well and maybe down the road even some Chaeto. I bought the Coralife protein skimmer for chamber 1 and all it did was fill the tank with micro bubbles. Didn't skim at all.
 

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Not trying to knock down your innovations / good ideas, but usually people like BioCubes for the very fact that they are 'self-contained'-- which really won't be the case once you start poking holes in it. It almost sounds like you are ready for a bigger tank (new project, drilled for a sump), and retire the Biocube as a great quarantine or hospital tank. Just a thought. ;Cat
 
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bfd211

bfd211

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Not trying to knock down your innovations / good ideas, but usually people like BioCubes for the very fact that they are 'self-contained'-- which really won't be the case once you start poking holes in it. It almost sounds like you are ready for a bigger tank (new project, drilled for a sump), and retire the Biocube as a great quarantine or hospital tank. Just a thought. ;Cat
Deep down I know you’re right. I just wanted to include some additional equipment like a skimmer and a UV which I currently don’t have room to add on
 

TheRealAFISHionado

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Hi all,
I have a pretty well-established Biocube 32 with live rock and softies and I'm thinking of taking the filtration to next level by adding a sump, skimmer and UV in the cabinet below. That said, the placement of the tank doesn't allow for much back wall space for a HOB overflow box so I am considering drilling through the untempered glass back wall of chamber 2 and installing a bulkhead so I can run flex hose down to a sump in the cabinet below. The return pump would connect right to the return spout. Anyone here tried this lunacy before and if so, what should I be prepared for? I've done the hole-drilling and plumbing homework.
Are you going to try this with a water filled tank?

I don’t think is lunacy, I brainstormed a while about something similar but instead of drilling the back I wanted to drill three holes on the bottom (drain and emergency drain in chamber 2, return on chamber 3) I'll add a sump underneath so I can have a bigger refugium, skimmer and return pump.
 
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bfd211

bfd211

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Are you going to try this with a water filled tank?

I don’t think is lunacy, I brainstormed a while about something similar but instead of drilling the back I wanted to drill three holes on the bottom (drain and emergency drain in chamber 2, return on chamber 3) I'll add a sump underneath so I can have a bigger refugium, skimmer and return pump.
Did it work? And yes the tank is filled with water, animals and live rock. Sounds pretty daunting
 

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Did it work? And yes the tank is filled with water, animals and live rock. Sounds pretty dauntingI
I haven’t done it yet, but I’ll start a build thread soon.

I wouldn’t do it on a filled tank. Too much stress... Why don’t you set a temporary tank or put everyone in buckets, do the drilling and transfer everyone back. You could take a couple of days to finish and everyone will be safe.
 

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Hi all,
I have a pretty well-established Biocube 32 with live rock and softies and I'm thinking of taking the filtration to next level by adding a sump, skimmer and UV in the cabinet below. That said, the placement of the tank doesn't allow for much back wall space for a HOB overflow box so I am considering drilling through the untempered glass back wall of chamber 2 and installing a bulkhead so I can run flex hose down to a sump in the cabinet below. The return pump would connect right to the return spout. Anyone here tried this lunacy before and if so, what should I be prepared for? I've done the hole-drilling and plumbing homework.
I had the same idea on my small Biocube. I ended up hanging it off the side of the return chamber. A little bit crazy to start, but I wanted to see about running refugium in sump. Finally just removed the lid all together to run AI Prime 16HD.

IMG_5581.JPG
 

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