guidance on drilling a 14 biocube

[banthonyb71]

Hello all, I have a 14 biocube and I want to add a sump to my biocube so I can add a protein skimmer. I know people have said that a skimmer is not needed but after months and months of trying to lower my nitrates I really want to add something to help with nutrient export. I have tried everything to get my nitrates under 5 ppm but they are always high (15-20ppm average) and that with a very light bioload (2 clown fish) and very minimal feeding. I use a turkey baster to blow off the rocks and around the back compartment area as well.

Im running purigen, chempure elite with intank media basket. I have Steve's led SPS extreme led lighting.

I have a mixed reef and some of my SPS are doing well others are not.

My plan is to buy a 2nd biocube, drill it, then transfer over my hood over to the new biocube and add a sump with a skimmer.

I have seen videos on how to drill the back...but I have never plumbed and am totally clueless about how to go about the plumbing, where to drill the holes, how the compartment will play into the plumbing, etc.

Does anyone have a link to a video on where to drill the holes and best way to plumb the system or any helpful tips?

 

[Formulator]

Dont buy another biocube for a sump. If you have that kind of money to throw at it, buy an actual sump. There are many good brands out there making chambered sumps. If you want a simple and cheap alternative, you can usually find a decent small tank on craislist or ebay.

As far as drilling goes, you will need at diamond hole saw to match the outer diamer of your plumbing. Do some research on overflow systems and plan out the plumbing route. You will likely need 2 holes depending on the system you decide to use.
Drill slowly and have someone to pour water on the glass around the drill. Usually the corner is the best place for an overflow. You can make one out of acrylic fairly easily. I built my current system with a craigslist 120g DT, drilled my overflows, made the overflow out of sheet acrylic, and plumbed in a basement sump with pvc. I can give you the details of the build if you PM me.

 

[top shelf]

Agree with ditching the second biocube for a sump, there are so many better options for that and will likely be cheaper. A diy sump is fairly easy to build and you can set it up exactly to your liking. Check out this place http://www.glass-holes.com, they offer many package deals for overflows and returns and I have heard good things about them from many people.

 

[mcgyvr]

Have you tested your phosphates?
If they are low/zero I'd remove the chemipure elite as it as gfo in it and when phosphates/nitrates are out of balance nitrates won't lower anymore..

 

[Nick30G]

Im a brand new reefer as well... I drilled my 37g for a Eshopps Eclipse overflow over a month ago, never have drilled a tank before. Needless to say, sure it's nerve wracking but it was actually quite easy and I did not have a issue. And I agree, go to Petco and pick up a $1 per gallon tank and buy baffles and silicone them in. It's much better and cheaper and you can customize it to want you want.

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[mcgyvr]

and FWIW.. I wouldn't get your hopes up that a sump/skimmer will solve all your problems.. While they can help they are certainly no guarantee of success and one can absolutely have a successful tank without them..

 

[banthonyb71]

Have you tested your phosphates?
If they are low/zero I'd remove the chemipure elite as it as gfo in it and when phosphates/nitrates are out of balance nitrates won't lower anymore..

My phosphates are indeed at zero. So you say to remove the chemipure elite? and it may help to bring nitrates in balance with phosphates?

 

[banthonyb71]

Sorry I didn't explain myself well but I don't plan on buying a 2nd biocube and using it as a sump.

I plan on buying a 2nd biocube, drilling it, adding a sump to it, then transferring my old hood that has my upgraded lights into it as well. This way I dont have to remove the fish from the cube they are in now for me work on it. I have other plans for the original cube once it is empty.

 

[banthonyb71]

this is not some over the top project for me. It will be something fun for me, something I can learn on for bigger projects down the road and possible give my system more options.

and I know someone said it up there but no I dont have a ton of money but the biocube wont break the bank for me... I bought the first one used for $60 bucks and already know where I can get 2nd one. so its not that big of deal.

I just think I want to attempt this project.

 

[banthonyb71]

So can anyone answer this question for me? about best way of drilling a biocube. I understand the return but confused on what I would have to do for the overflow line. Is there an overflow that can be drilled to the back that doesnt use siphon feed?

 

[banthonyb71]

Anybody know a company where I could buy a bulkhead type overflow? like this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Overflow-B...kimmer-/192355593685?var=&hash=item2cc9496dd5

 

[Bill_Moorman]

Anybody know a company where I could buy a bulkhead type overflow? like this one?



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Overflow-B...kimmer-/192355593685?var=&hash=item2cc9496dd5

I just drilled my 40b for a mixed reef. It's not bad once you plan it out.

First off, you'll need to figure your plumbing out. If I remember right, the bio cube already has a rear chamber, that's made out of plastic, right?

If so, it's way easier to do. Once you determine your drain size (I used a 1 inch drain, and a 3/4 inch return) you'll need to get a bit the size of the plumbing bulkhead.

Once you match the bit to the size of bulkhead you need, you'll want to drill the tank for that bulkhead. After, there are a few drain options.

I personally made a durso drainpipe so that I could set the depth of the overflow. If the bio cube you have already has the overflow, you likely won't need to make one, and you can just focus on the standpipe. You'll want to set it up so that it's only an inch or so under the water level so in the event of a power outage, the water will only drain a bit into your sump, as opposed to the entire tank. For my project, I drilled through the back wall about 9 inches down from the top and 4 inches from the side.

You'll see that it's only a few inches under the surface, so I see about a 2 gallon drain under no power, which my sump can handle without overflowing.

For the return, I drilled a 3/4 inch hole for the bulkhead on the upper left hand side. I had no reason for this other than that's where I wanted it to be.

As for my sump, I made it out of a 10 gallon tank and acrylic baffles. There are many designs, and I chose to design it with three chambers, drain/skimmer, fuge, and return.

For fittings, I suggest getting a t-lock kit from BRS and a nozzle so you can direct flow.

I hope this helps a bit!


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[banthonyb71]

I just drilled my 40b for a mixed reef. It's not bad once you plan it out.

Hey, sorry it took so long repyling. Ive been sick with the flu and thank you for taking the time out to show me this. It is greatly appreciated and does give me a better idea.