CPR Bak-Pak 2 Filter

[ocellaris]

I'm thinking of getting the CPR Bak-Pak 2 filter/skimmer for my 15 gallon tank. I think this is a pretty hefty filter for this size tank but it's got the built in protein skimmer which is nice. Is it possible that it could be too much for my tank and provide some kind of negative side effect? Also, will this filter take care of all of my filtering needs or will I need other filters to work in conjunction with it? For the money that I spend on it is there any chance that I will see a reduction in the amount of maintenence that I have to do?
Thanks. =o)

 

[ocellaris]

I'm also considering a Fluval 204 filter. This one doesn't haev the skimmer but looks like a pretty beefy filter that will be more hassle free. Anybody have either of these filters?

 

[kris]

If this is strictly fo, then do the fluval 204, if this a reef or semi-reef go with the bak-pak. Either of them would be more than enough without adding any other filters.

 

[broomer5]

I've got the CPR Bak-Pak II on my 55 and it works very good. May be a little overkill on a 15 gallon set-up, but you can shut off the air venturi valve, and just run water through it with out skimming occasionally. It has some plastic filter media as biological filtering, and would think that would be more than enough for your tank. Most of the small skimmers don't work so hot what I hear, and if you ever wanted to up grade to a larger tank, the Bak-Pak is designed for tanks up to 55 I believe. Others may have a better reply for you, but it all depends on what animals you want in your tank.
I would do it.
Good luck,
Brian

 

[ocellaris]

What constitutes a "semi-reef" tank?? I'm not planing on having coral or anenomes. But I have live rock and live sand and I will probably have some small inverts to keep the tank clean. Other than that it will be all fish.

 

[ocellaris]

Also, many filters have compartments where you can put in your own media. What should I use in there??

 

[kris]

That's exactly what I mean by a semi-reef.