Heavily Modified Biocube Build

[MidMichiganReef]

I've been out of the hobby for a year and a half and have decided to get back in. With a baby on the way I didn't want to take on a large tank that would require large water changes and take up a lot of space (despite my long break I still don't feel like lugging jugs around lol). I tell everyone building a new tank to just get the good stuff right away to avoid throwing money away on upgrades and I've taken my own advice. I'm starting this thread early but here's the build:

All equipment is being bought brand new to avoid inheriting problems.
Tank: 29g Coralife biocube drilled in chamber 3 for overflow
Stand: Stock biocube stand
Sump: Custom built sump from Fish Doctors that fits perfectly in the stand
Lights: RapidLed dimmable, solderless nano kit
Skimmer: Reef Octopus NW-110-6520B
In tank flow: Vortech MP-10w ES
Controller: Full Apex Neptune with add-on WXM to control Vortech which will also fully control the LEDs.
ATO: DIY system run by Apex

Here is what I have so far:

RapidLed Kit:

Sump (this is actually my brother-in-law's, mine's identical):

Vortech and Skimmer:

Apex:

Picking up the tank tomorrow after the swap. I'll select and buy a return pump this week. Next weekend the tank gets drilled, plumbed, and assembled. You may be wondering why the sump picture is actually my brother-in-law's, well this tank is also involved in Biocube War II (more on that later). I'll be adding pics as I go.

 

[Seaweed Brain]

Looks like you have the makings of a great setup! Can't wait to see it up and running. What are you planning to house in it? I'm interested to see how the drilling of it goes. I just got a 14 biocube and have been debating of doing the same.

 

[csammis]

Looks nice! Can you post some photos of how the flow through the sump goes? I can't picture it from the photo of it empty

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Yah it'll be set up next weekend. I drew on the pic to try to explain.

 

[tommer725]

nice

 

[EAZ]

Looking good! keep on updating.

 

[MidMichiganReef]

As promised here is the main construction of the tank, I'm very lucky that I have a highly skilled brother in law that is always willing to help. We did all of this over about 10hrs (and many beers) yesterday.

First up was modding the hood with the RapidLed kit. Step one, gut it:

Step two, install the heat sink:

Add and wire the light then place the cover back on, I used 24 total lights, 12 cool white, 12 royal blue staggered:

Mount the drivers

Let there be light!

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Now it's time for the scary part, drilling a brand new tank twice. Brother in law to the rescue and he made it happen with his steady hands:

Drilling the overflow:

One down one to go for the return:

Add the bulkheads and start plumbing, here's the start of the return:

Plumb the overflow:

Finish the return:

Drill the back and bring the pipes into the sump:

 

[tommer725]

Very nice, lovin this build, very different from the common non-modded biocube.

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Thank you, I mounted the Apex and all it's components today. I also took some time to build my water station to make my RODI and my saltwater. I'll be playing with rock placement and filling the tank this week. Hoping for fish in a month or so and maybe coral in 2 months.

 

[Jadams]

Sweeeet setup! Nice sump too. Following along with this build

 

[MidMichiganReef]

The tank is currently cycling and settling in. I just added sand, a piece of LR and mysis to cycle. It is not aquascaped yet, I'll work on that when the sand settles. I've spent some time getting to know the Apex which I'm already a huge fan of. Here are some pics of what I've been up to:

Built a water station to fill and maintain the tank:

Finalize the sump and organize the wires as best as I could:

Fill it up (both whites and blues at 100%:

Raw FTS, still setting up the Vortech:

 

[goodtimes]

Be careful with those drivers mounted on the back of the stand. The condensation from my lid usually drips down the back when I open it.
Looks like a fun build though, good job.

 

[38bill]

Those leds are bright so start low and work up or you may fry your coral. Are you dimming them through the Apex?

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Those leds are bright so start low and work up or you may fry your coral. Are you dimming them through the Apex?

Yes the Apex dims the LEDs. I was just being lazy in the pic and turned both to On instead of running a dimming program but you're right on that they are bright and would fry coral. Thanks for the advice.

Be careful with those drivers mounted on the back of the stand. The condensation from my lid usually drips down the back when I open it.
Looks like a fun build though, good job.

That's an excellent concern, I will monitor that. Thank you for the advice.

 

[kwolfskill42]

Setup looks great!

Setup looks great!

That is quite the setup you have going there. I haven't seen a BC 29 with the drilled overflow and full sump.

I'm also gathering the pieces to start up my new Biocube 29, and am really interested in the RapidLED lights. I would love any info you can provide on how well you like them, if you would change the color bias, etc.

I'm looking at a Reef Angel controller. Did you consider that before getting the Apex? If so, what made you decide on the Apex?

 

[MidMichiganReef]

That is quite the setup you have going there. I haven't seen a BC 29 with the drilled overflow and full sump.

I'm also gathering the pieces to start up my new Biocube 29, and am really interested in the RapidLED lights. I would love any info you can provide on how well you like them, if you would change the color bias, etc.

I'm looking at a Reef Angel controller. Did you consider that before getting the Apex? If so, what made you decide on the Apex?

I really like the Rapids so far I'm still working on tweaking the power of each. I decided to go with just blue and white because I've never really seen a big difference in having red or purple bulbs in my T5 days.

I've never heard of a reef angel controller. The Apex came with the built in ability to dim the LEDs amongst its other features.

 

[Fish are friend]

holy crap, heavily modified doesnt begin to describe it. GJ

 

[Alavaster]

I love the cube sump!! slick design to say the least!

 

[Touring]

very sick!!!!