72 Bow FW conversion.

VicD81 · Apr 27, 2014

Finally got this thing up and running. looks like the bubble trap is working no bubbles in the display. Looks like all the oils are being stripped from the plumbing and valves and collecting in the last chamber with the few bubbles that do get past the trap (like a skimmer). It is leaving a oily white film on the surface of the water in the last chamber. Ive been skimming the the surface of the water in the last chamber to remove the oily water and it seems to be subsiding. If all goes well tomorrow I will add to vinegar to really strip all the oils. The pump is pretty quiet so far loving it. Decided to go with vinyl tubing to ease installation. Maybe one day ill go with rigid. Now for some pictures.

I do have a question. I am anticipating a lot of buildup in this last compartment, due to the surface of the water being relatively un disturbed. Im thinking maybe keep it this low so that the surface gets some movement. Can anyone give me some insight? Its either that or keep it high and put a power head in there to agitate that whole chamber, but I really don't want to add anything else.

ethridge78 · Apr 27, 2014

looking good

VicD81 · May 6, 2014

So had a power outage at 10pm today. Tried resetting the breaker and all power restored. For about 15 min then went our again. No shut everything off down to bare minimums and reset it again another 15 min and off didn't want to reset again. As I run to the bsmt to get my batt operated air pump with a smile on my face thinking il prepared for this one. D batteries. The only **** batts I do not have. ***!!!

VicD81 · May 12, 2014

Got my rock in last week from Reefrocks but work is getting in the way of me completing my build. :cry:

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1398965700.070456.jpg

VicD81 · May 14, 2014

Sorry haven't updated in a while but finally got around to working on the top. Got some scrap wood from lowes for free!!! Thank you lowes. Traced out my Versa top and put in some screws.

I got this idea from someone else here on R2R. used a heat gun to avoid kinks with a dowel in the groves and bent along the screws.

Also had to clamp it down because it was twisting under the pressure.
after I had bent it and reach down to grab the stopper screw I touched the heat gun which I had just turned off and put down. No pain no gain right?

This is it now 3 days after.

VicD81 · May 14, 2014

Oh forgot the finished product. Didn't come out perfect but I think it will get the job done.

I tried 2 different bend radii and ended up sticking to the first, but scrapped some metal in the process and didn't have enough to finish the other side. Ill add I burnt myself trying the other bend radius I did not use. :flame: