beginnermatt
Member
Can someone give me some info on these filters. Also, where they can be bought and what I should pay. Thank you.
CPR back pack 2
- Thread starter beginnermatt
- Start date
beginnermatt
Member
Do they require a pump and or are they used in addition to a seperate mechanical filter. I have a second nature wdf 3000 (running) and magnun 330 canister (not being used). I don't know anything about the cpr. Thanks for the reply.
broomer5
Active Member
Matt,
You may want to visit the manufacturer's website. The Bak-Pak units are hang on the back of the tank type of protein skimmers, designed for small tanks up to 50-60 gallons.
They do require a pump ( normally furnished with a Rio600 powerhead.)
They make a Bak-Pak II unit that is a skimmer and biofilter in one - although most people using them on reef tanks end up removing the biobale platic ribbon material.
They also make a Bak-Pak IIR ( R for reef )unit that is used as protein skimmer only - no bio media, and this unit is better suited for small reef tanks.
Are you looking to add a protein skimmer to your tank ?
What size tank ?
Do you have a sump ?
Brian
You may want to visit the manufacturer's website. The Bak-Pak units are hang on the back of the tank type of protein skimmers, designed for small tanks up to 50-60 gallons.
They do require a pump ( normally furnished with a Rio600 powerhead.)
They make a Bak-Pak II unit that is a skimmer and biofilter in one - although most people using them on reef tanks end up removing the biobale platic ribbon material.
They also make a Bak-Pak IIR ( R for reef )unit that is used as protein skimmer only - no bio media, and this unit is better suited for small reef tanks.
Are you looking to add a protein skimmer to your tank ?
What size tank ?
Do you have a sump ?
Brian
fender
Active Member
I have a bak pak 2 hangin from my 90. Here are some tips:
Get one used - I bought mine for $90 on ---- shipping and everything. Very happy and only needed to add a needle valve to get the perfect air mixture.
Get the skimmer attachment or make your own. Surface scum looks nasty.
Remove the bio bale. It is a nitrate factory (like Broomer said most guys toss it)
The Rio is ok and comes with it. Some guys replace it with a maxi(get the venturi kit) my Rio is ok and quiet(I may be lucky). The cup should sit level with the water to get a drier foam, the instructions say to put it a 1/4 inch below surface - do this and you will be emptying every other day - put it level and 1 to 2 times a week.
Micro bubbles from the return can be annoying, they have a 'bubble' trap that is supposed to fix it. - I have no idea if it works -
Adjust the air valve to almost closed - this gives the most/tiniest bubbles - more air does not mean more foam.
Mine did not do much for my tank until the tank was about 2 months old - prolly cuz it was not designed for a 90g.
The rings for the collection cup dry out over time - about every 3-4 months you should put some vaseline or petroleum jelly on it to keep it from drying out.
They can be gotten new around $120 plus shipping online.
Personally if I had to do it over, I would've tried the Prizm .
Get one used - I bought mine for $90 on ---- shipping and everything. Very happy and only needed to add a needle valve to get the perfect air mixture.
Get the skimmer attachment or make your own. Surface scum looks nasty.
Remove the bio bale. It is a nitrate factory (like Broomer said most guys toss it)
The Rio is ok and comes with it. Some guys replace it with a maxi(get the venturi kit) my Rio is ok and quiet(I may be lucky). The cup should sit level with the water to get a drier foam, the instructions say to put it a 1/4 inch below surface - do this and you will be emptying every other day - put it level and 1 to 2 times a week.
Micro bubbles from the return can be annoying, they have a 'bubble' trap that is supposed to fix it. - I have no idea if it works -
Adjust the air valve to almost closed - this gives the most/tiniest bubbles - more air does not mean more foam.
Mine did not do much for my tank until the tank was about 2 months old - prolly cuz it was not designed for a 90g.
The rings for the collection cup dry out over time - about every 3-4 months you should put some vaseline or petroleum jelly on it to keep it from drying out.
They can be gotten new around $120 plus shipping online.
Personally if I had to do it over, I would've tried the Prizm .
hondo
Member
go with the prizm, less money, good small tank skimmer, less maintenance. I have a Bak PakII on my 37gal and it works fine but you need to clean the rio power head once a month or it will sieze up (rio powerheads are basically junk and even CPR will tell you that they only use them because they are the cheapest). Like everyone says the biobale you will eventually toss out so why pay for it on the go in. Go with a prizm and you will be happier and spend less money.
beginnermatt
Member
Thanks for all your help. Is there a web site that I can find out more on the prism protein skimmers. I have a 33 gallon tank. Is this the best match.