72 Bow FW conversion.

[VicD81]

Ive been waiting a LONG time to do this.

The boring stuff.


Ive been doing FW for a long time. Had a discus tank for about 9 years or so.

Went SW with a 29G Biocube after we decided to go with a Nemo Theme for the baby's nursery. After that my interest in FW slowly decreased. When we decided to move due to smokers living downstairs, I sold my FW livestock and Equipment but kept the tank with hopes for converting it. After we moved found the perfect spot for it. And The Following is the culmination of that vision.



The conversion

Went with a Glass Holes 1500 GPH kit. Two 1.5" drains and two 3/4" returns. Never drilled glass before. I was going to try it on a practice tank that spring a leak and had to be replaced but I got cocky and went right into the good tank.

Didn't quite work out for me. I think I put too much pressure that **** drill was heavy and didnt notice I was applying pressure on top of that.

So lets try that again. Figured if I cant do it on this tank Ill get another and have it drilled by the pros.

 

[VicD81]

SUCCESS!!!

All the holes that where ultimately drilled. Found that this is about the bits limit. Maybe one more but that would be pushing it. The last holes on the 62mm and 39mm holes took forever to cut through

Now to reseal

Put it a huge 8MM bead on all sides

After curing for 7 days you can hardly see it

 

[ethridge78]

Looks good.

 

[VicD81]

Looks good.

Thank you. Ive been working on this since December and im still not done.

 

[VicD81]

Now that there are no leaks time to look for a sump that fits. Ive got it all envisioned, so went to buy all the plumbing.

I had a 10G that fit perfectly under the cabinet but I wasn't happy with the size. Bought both a 20H but it would only fit if I dropped it in with the tank off of the stand. Because my main tank sprung a leak before, I was scared of the fact that if my sump sprung a leak I would have to either dismantle everything or smash it to bits to take it out. I Ended up returning it and went in a completely different route.

 

[VicD81]

The Sump Build

I decided to bite the bullet and go through the wall into my utility room which would give me so much more space for a sump. I went big and got a 40B for a sump which I could customize.

I bought two sheets of 18"x24" .22" thick acrylic and planned all the cuts to minimize waste.




All cut and ready to square all edges

 

[VicD81]

I love this tool. I used the 10mm side for the sump and the round side which is who knows how big for the tank not 8mm like I stated before.

Drilled with a 1" bulkhead and Siliconed. Going to cure for at least 7 days. Im dying to get this thing wet.

 

[VicD81]

Through the wall we go!

And down into the lower shelf where the sump will sit. So far just dry fitting everything.

Found that doing this and rounding the edges makes dry fitting so much easier.

 

[VicD81]

I don't have a PVC cutter that does 1.5" tube so I had to use a reciprocating saw but it makes for perfect joints.

Glued one drain but messed it up. What's wrong with this picture?

 

[VicD81]

Drains permanently glued and returns dry fitted.

And I did it again

But I was able to salvage this one.

 

[VicD81]

Finally got the plumbing permanently glued. Just cosmetics because I ran out of spray paint.

 

[VicD81]

Got my fuge light in.

And all reactors and bypass line installed.

Saturday she will be wet!

 

[VicD81]

Oops just noticed how that last part sounded. Didn't mean it like that.

 

[Fishyj]

Very nice setup. I like the 72 bow tanks. Have you decided on lighting for main tank?

 

[Abraham]

nice set up, looks everything is well planned, cant wait to see that tank charged of fishes and corals.


congratz

 

[Bear]

That was a good looking Dicus tank. This is a great looking build so far.

 

[VicD81]

Thanks

I guess I should get into...

Equipent

Ecotech Radion Pro x 2
Ecotech Vortech MP40wes $ MP10wes
Neptune Apex w/ pm2
Tunze ATO
Vertex Omega 150
Ecoxotic PAR38 21w bulb
BRS reactors x 2
Blueline 55XD

 

[VicD81]

Got called into work yesterday so couldn't fill it yesterday. This morning on my way to work popped the curb, blew 2 tires and bent the shocks. Sooo no had to call out. Anyway since I had the time decided to fill the tank.

As I tried to fill the sump some green crud came out of the siphon hose I used to change the water in my FW tank. Soaked it in hot water and vinegar with a Powerhead attached to it for about 2 hrs then, stuffed paper towel in it and forced it through with hot water pressure to clean all the lessened crud. Worked out great. Good as new.

The tank is full and nice and level.

Found 2 different leaks. One coming from the bulkhead on the sump which I lubed up and stopped the leak. The other was on the bulkhead for one of the returns. That one looks like I over tightened and cracked it midway down the threads. Now I'm stuck till I get a replacement.

 

[VicD81]

After all the leaks decided to leave that last chamber empty just incase, and when I got back from work I found this.



I am so discouraged. Pump has way too much flow cracked bulkhead and now my sump cracked. But I've invested too much time and money so must press on.

Oh well Petco has that $1 a gallon sale again. Back to the drawing board!!!

 

[VicD81]

OK im back at it. After that sump cracked on me with in just a few hrs, I am afraid to go external again. Got a new bulkhead for the one leaking on the display, a Jebao DC 12000 on order and the new sump built.

After the first sump build I thought of some things that I regretted not doing, so this time I incorporated teeth. It was my first time so they didn't come out perfect but I think it came out pretty good. Now going to give it 7 days to fully cure.