[Zia]

Ok, I just sat up my 29 gallon saltwater biocube.

Im wondering what can happen when the power goes out as far as the water overflowing onto the floor. Can this happen?

I remember reading somewhere where people have had this problem, but this tank didnt look as big as it does now that the water is in it and this question didnt occur to me until now. Yea, I know, preparation is important but give me a break on this one please.

[Tonz of fun]

Well if you have a over flow some water will return to your sump. What I do on mine is shut the power off and then add water to the tank until the sump is full. Then turn the power back on and the extra water will get pumped from the sump into the tank. Whatever your water level is now at is your new max fill line. That way if there is a power outage all the water can be stored in your sump. Hope that helps...

[Zia]

Thanks Tonz.
Yea, I have a overflow.
My lights started flickering just a little a few minutes ago. I turned on the brighter lights and the flickering stopped.
What could be causing that flickering?The tank has been up and running for about an hour now. The whole system is brand new.

[glampka]

Troy,
unless you have a separate sump hooked up to your cube, nothing is going to happen when the power goes out. You do have an overflow but that only leads to the compartments in the back which are all part of the tank. You won't get any water pouring onto the floor.

[Zia]

Great thanks Glampka.

Im feeling sooo much better about the "water on the floor" situation.

Im going to ask another question. This ones about pumps. Can I get a bigger one for this 29gal?

I had a hang on style filtration system on my 29 gal cyclid tank. It was made to service a 55gal aquarium.
I liked the idea of running 150galllons of water an hour thru there. It really kept the water moving and of course the water quality was always great.

Can I do this same type thing with my pump for this tank? Would a bigger one fit in the wet/dry area?

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by glampka

Troy,
unless you have a separate sump hooked up to your cube, nothing is going to happen when the power goes out. You do have an overflow but that only leads to the compartments in the back which are all part of the tank. You won't get any water pouring onto the floor.

I guess I should of been more spacific. If all your water is confined in your main tank it shouldnt go anywhere in a power outage. Glampka is correct.

[glampka]

Troy,
One of the most common mods on the cubes is to swap out the return pump for something more powerful. Many people will use the MJ 1200 as a return pump. Just be sure you have room to get it in.

[cappy290]

Hey Troy I have a 29gal bio cube and the power went out for some time an there was no water all over the floor. I think you will be o.k.

[ncdiablo]

Just a fyi. Before you stock your tank with anything. To test what happens when the power goes out is a simple thing to figure out. Go over and unplug things from the wall and watch the tank for about 10 mins. You will see what happens then and can find out if your sump / refugium are set up properly or are the proper size to handle the overflow. This way you avert disaster. You are there watching and can prevent a boatload of water onto the floor.


Steven

[Fishhead Junkie]

it is impossible for a 29gallon bio-cube to overflow if the power goes out. the water that is in the tank can only flow into the back filter portion and that water can only flow back into the tank so you have a closed loop. i noticed something saturday in the pump part of the filter. that 3 inch by 3 inch sponge doesnt do a good job of staying in the spot it slides into. take a look at yours and see if it is floating upward. i jammed mine back down into that spot and wedged it, we'll see.

you said you lights were flickering. are you sure all your connections are ok to your lights?

just a hint...if you already havent done it...i guarantee some of your fish will somehow jump out of the tank and into your filter area. if they land in either end they might survive if you find them. if they land in the center..they are eventually dead meat from suffocating. get some egg crate and place it over the back filter top. only bad thing is somehow the fish sometimes make it thru..like firefish. i lost 2 of them to suicide jumping. found my 3rd one actually in the pump area swimming around. he made it thru 2 layers of egg crate, dont ask me how. might want to think about getting some of that gutter guarding...thats my next purchase. lets see a fish fit thru that.

steve

ps..if you already havent gotten one...pick up a 50watt mini heater from say meijers or wal-mart. just drop it into either the pump section or the filter section. saves alot of space in the tank plus you dont have to look at it. keeps the temp down too.