Nano Tuners' Mega Modded BC29 Build

[Nano_Tuners]

This thread is to document my new super custom bio cube 29 Build. By 'super custom', I mean the only thing about this tank that's still a bio cube is the shell and the stand...

You might ask why someone would build out an old/obsolete bio cube??? I've had many bigger and far more elaborate tanks over the years - but for some reason I've always had a thing for the bio cube aesthetic. I really like the fully enclosed lid design - which I've seen in my other bio cube means there is nearly zero evaporation (although some salt creep does build up around the lid) eliminating the need for an ATO. I've really liked not having to top off the water at all between water changes (though I do run them with an air stone to assist in gas exchange). The other thing I really love is how quiet/nearly silent I can get them to run. And the 30-ish gallon capacity is right around the nano tank size I like to keep/maintain. I've also been lucky enough to pickup all of my bio cubes (brand new or slightly used) for pennies on the dollar (because they are so readily available in my area on Facebook Marketplace/Craigslist)

So here goes the build thread for my MKII bio cube project. I'm essentially modifying this tank with the lessons I've learned on my other heavily customized BC. Ill then transfer all of the livestock from that tank over to this one - then down the road, refit that older tank in the future.

TANK/STAND:	Oceanic Biocube 29 Generic Oceanic/Coralife Biocube Stand (Old Design)
LIGHTING:	AI Blade Grow 12" AI Blade Glow 12"
FLOW:	AI Axis 90 Centrifugal (925 GPH) @ 40-50% Custom Locline Directional Returns
FILTRATION:	Mechanical: Reef Diaper Filter Socks/ Bubble Magus MiniQ Nano Skimmer Biological: Marinepure Media/ Chaeto Refugium Chemical: Carbon/ LaCl (when necessary)
CONTROL:	Bluetooth myAI functionality (lights/pumps) Johnson Controls Industrial Temperature Controller w/BRS 100w core
AQUASCAPE:	Tropic Eden Morroca Shelf Tropic Eden Morroca Branch Bare Bottom Display (CS Special Grade in Refugium)
LIVESTOCK:	ORA Orange Storm Pair ORA Yasha Goby ORA Derasa Clam Colorado Sunburst Anemones Zoa: Grand Master Krakatoas/ Little Shop of Horrors/ Exospheres/ Death Stars/ White Zombies/ Grand Master Strats/ Utter Chaos/ Rainbow Yodas/ White Walkers/ AOIs Stylocoeniella: Looney Tunes/ Electric Daisy Cyphastrea: Bizzarro/ Alien Pox Chalice: Space Invader/ Bubblegum Monster/ Golden Eye Grafted Setosa Holy Grail Micromussa Favia of the Gods Red Montipora Cap

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Found a brand new sealed box bio cube 29 w/stand (still labeled Oceanic!) on Facebook marketplace that I picked up for a little less than $200. I figure the tank has to have been sitting in these peoples garage for over a decade (I believe they stopped producing them around 2012) but it was sealed in plastic, and the silicone is still like new.

Besides the prehistoric PC lighting setup in the canopy, I noticed the major difference in the old 29 vs the modern 32 is that the tank itself is about 3 inches shallower. The hood also does not have a hinge - but it does have a nice rear opening feature that I'm surprised they didn't keep on the current design.

First major modification is removing the filtration/rear chamber and replacing it with a custom acrylic baffle setup I designed. It will eliminate the wasted space, add a full 4" filter sock for mechanical filtration and create a massive chaeto refugium (which I attribute to my other bio cubes incredible stability and easy maintenance).



After lots of razor work, I removed the silicone holding the rear wall in place and cleaned up the tank. Waiting now on the custom cut acrylic panels to arrive to reassemble the new filtration chambers.



The new rear chamber will be 3 total compartments w/baffles - And will extend the chamber width from the stock 3" to 6". It will slightly reduce the width of the display, but double refugium space and allow for the install of a standardized filter sock.

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Gutted the PC fixtures and circuitry from the hood. Now its just a shell of its former self

I will mount the AI Blades I have in my other BC hood to this one when its ready for livestock. Interestingly, the waterproofing shield/bolt pattern looks identical to the setup in my newer cube.

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Setup the heater control, a Johnson Controls A421 single stage temperature controller tied to a BRS 100w heater core. I shrink wrapped the temperature probe with about 12" of wrap to protect from the effects of saltwater and calibrated it. The controller is housed in a big plastic box... I debated mounting it inside the cabinet but I like to be able to see the temp when I walk by the tank.

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Pretty much finished with the aquascape, which is mostly repurposed Tropic Eden Morroca shelf and Branch. I was going for a look of branch rock holding the plate and protruding up through it. Drilled in some holes to secure frag plugs without removing the stems.

This was the first time I used the Tropic Eden 'moldable rock' epoxy, and I loved it. Like anything else Tropic Eden, ill never go back to the alternative (glues/epoxy)! You do need to use quite a bit though. I bought the big jar and ran out when about 80% complete, so I had to order a bit more from @premiumaquatics to finish securing some joints.

 

[Johnd651]

Nice. Following along. Curious to see how you mount the blades. I run only a 12in grow on a 15 aio.

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Nice. Following along. Curious to see how you mount the blades. I run only a 12in grow on a 15 aio.

Really simple, I have them in my other biocube mounted with just a little heavy duty double-sided tape (within the plastic shield). They dont get very hot and hasnt been an issue in the 3 months or so ive had them going in that hood.

Ill be sure to post some pics of the hood when I transfer them to this tank soon!

 

[ruxsir]

Super cool build

 

[Patx]

I did the same thing whit my bc14 (in 2014)
I remove the side too (just saying)
Tank still runing (refugium/xenia)

 

[Patx]

oh!
i wrongly assumed you were installing an overflow for a sump.
forget my comment lol

Ah! the old pc lamp !
Then "rapid led adruino kit"

 

[Nano_Tuners]

oh!
i wrongly assumed you were installing an overflow for a sump.
forget my comment lol

Ah! the old pc lamp !
Then "rapid led adruino kit"

lol I was wondering what the red line was about

 

[Nano_Tuners]

The filtration/baffle system came back from the laser and fit pretty good! Siliconed in place last night, going to flood the tank with tap water and do some 'sea trials' today...

 

[Johnd651]

The filtration/baffle system came back from the laser and fit pretty good! Siliconed in place last night, going to flood the tank with tap water and do some 'sea trials' today...

You cut acrylic?

 

[Nano_Tuners]

You cut acrylic?

Naw I’m lucky enough to have a shop connection in Denver. Even then it was quite expensive, about $140 for materials and cutting + setup

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Used the same marine silicone to attach the refugium light to the black glass. Its a 'ACKE' 12w grow light off Amazon that was like $30. Ill get some black paint or vinyl to cover over the rest of the exposed glass and cover the additional filtration area on the side glass.