Bakpak2R Problems

[scottk]

I'm not a newbie but I keep having problems with my 2R. It's been going for about 3 months and I just can't get it set right (water flow, air flow) and now I've got a world of microbubbles in the return. Also the bubble catching sponge plugged on me and nearly caused a disaster. Cleaned it good, still not right. Last I heard, these were supposed to be bulletproof and reliable.........

 

[justinx]

Which sponge are you referring to? IN the skimmer, or in an external bubble trap? If it is the one in the skimmer, ditch it. It will only cause problems, and does not work very efficiently.
Have you cleaned the rio at all? Particularly the air intake lines? These get clogged with salt creep and greatly impede air flow which can cause problems getting it set up properly because the amount of air flow is constantly being reduced. Start off by cleaning the powerhead really well, and remove the sponge. Then, you have to really play around with the little green valve. Mine is only in the line enough to the point that it wont fall out. It is not twisted down what so ever. It took me a long time to get it adjusted, but now it is a great skimmer IME. One way that I adjusted mine was to watch it from the back so that i could see the water flow through the chambers. I keep mine adjusted so that the far left (when you are facing the back of the unit) chamber is completely full, but the other two are basically bubble free. One thing to keep in mind is that while a good amount of bubbles is necessary, the slower the water flow, the greater the contact time, and hence the better the skimmer performs.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
HTH
Justin

 

[nm reef]

Also...CPR has a site which addresses issues about their products. I've run a 2R for a couple years now with very few problems....about once a month I'll run a cup of hot water thru the air intake to clear out the PH but other than that it works non-stop.I've also totally removed the screw in adjuster and it works fine....it did take a while to get the skimmer adjusted and broke in...but in my opinion it is a decent little skimmer.

 

[blue dew]

I'm also running the CPR Backpack 2R skimmer and had the exact same problem with the sponge inside. Caused a nice little flood. Its now stored underneath the stand, just in case I ever needed it, or sold it. I've also always run the air wide open. Like Justin said, the green adjustment screw is just in there enough to keep it in place. Mine only bubbles bad when I feed Formula One frozed cubes.

 

[scottk]

Ok. I'll give it a shot without the sponge. I've run it wide open on the air intake too. Do any of you have a valve on the pump discharge? I thought that might slow the thing down some........

 

[marvida]

I agree with everyone else. Air intake wide open, lose the sponge and clean the Rio air intake.

 

[justinx]

NM Reefs hot water thing is a great idea. I used to have to take the whole thing apart before I found out about this, but now, a cup of hot water once a week when I clean the skimmer cup does the trick.
Justin