Biocube 29 with external sump?

rajkovich207 · Jul 21, 2012

Just picked up a previously loved Biocube, and was thinking about putting an overflow in the center chamber. I have all the parts to do so, but am wondering if it would work? I would even have 2 different water levels.. So maybe someone could list me the pros and cons of doing so? I have the aquamedic turbofloater blue 500 for a skimmer that I do not think will fit in any of the back chambers, so that and maybe even a small fuge would go in the sump. Also what mods should I look into? It is a very stock biocube 29 CFL.

Thank you in advance,
Tony

Steven R · Jul 21, 2012

I have mine done will post a a pic in a min

Steven R · Jul 21, 2012

here it is I can explain to you how i did it.

Steven R · Jul 21, 2012

This pic is old but you get the idea.
I put a esshops nano over flow in chamber 3, broke off the little plastic pieces so it would have surface flow. you dont have to worry to much about the water level in the tank since the overflow mouth controls the level of water in the tank. I would recommend a ATO system though evap has been a big issue with mine but I have changed mine to a refugium.
I put a esshops rs-75 sump it fits perfectly. If you need anything or advice shoot me a pm I have pics also of step by step how to instal it.

ecam · Jul 21, 2012

Can you explain how you did that? Im interested in doing it as well for my bio

Steven R · Jul 21, 2012

1.In chamber 3 i cut off the plastic lip so that the Esshops nano-overflow would sit on the lip properly.
2. mounted overflow to back of tank with provided leveling screw.
3. plumbed a piece of flex tubing in through the bottom hole of the cabinet and ran it to the bottom.
4. removed the doors of the cabinet placed the sump in.
5. put doors back on
6. added mixed water to the sump also easier to do at time of water change so you ae not throwing the levels off to much S.G,ALK,PH etc,etc.
7. placed tubing in the the 300 micron filter sock.
8. made sure I had enough ready made water to make sure I could add to the sump so the pump would not run dry while it is waiting for the overflow to catch up.
9. on the inside of the bio-cube lid for the filtration compartment I cut off the plastic pieces so the lid would still fit on over the overflow.
10. and wala your done.

I can also provide pics if needed.

ecam · Jul 21, 2012

sorry to be diffuclt.. but pics would help... im not very handy....

ecam · Jul 21, 2012

what did u use to cut the pieces off the bio... if u can show me the finished cut of the 3rd chamber... that would be awesome

Steven R · Jul 21, 2012

ecam said:
sorry to be diffuclt.. but pics would help... im not very handy....

no problem give me a few.

Steven R · Jul 21, 2012

i just used a exacto knife the plastic is easy to break you also have to take some tabs off from the filtration chamber so you get enough surface flow for the surface skimmer to work correctly and get the whole surface of water and not just a chamber, So you dont have pockets in between chambers.