Made the switch!

[007]

Well, after three years - yes THREE - I finally swapped out the pump on my Bak Pak skimmer. I was still using the ORIGINAL Rio 600RVT ( ) that came with it until today. I finally switched it over to a Maxi-Jet 1200 with the venturi kit . . . . WOW what a difference! It is still throwing crazy bubbles into the tank because of the new pump and all, but man there are at least 2x as many in the chamber. I think that this is going to be a BIG improvement for this skimmer. Anyone else with a bak pak . . . MAKE THE SWITCH if you haven't already!

 

[thangbom]

kool to hear what a lil change can do.. thx for the info.

 

[kimkissyfish]

Hey,
I run the backpak 2 on my tank. What do you mean change the pump part? Mine has the 2 little prongs on the venturi for the little tubes to suck in and blow out.. god i cant decribe it BUT if you have one, you knoe what i am talking about. Is it a special one you have to order for the backpak??
Sorry so vaugh.. but i dont know the names of the parts.. I think mor epower would do wonders for my skimmer... just getting into lots of coral!
Thanking you kindly,l Kim

 

[007]

The pump you have is probably the Rio 600RVT . . . I took that whole pump out completely and replaced it with a maxi-jet 1200. A new pump entirely.

 

[kimkissyfish]

I cant imagine.. sorry
can you post a pic??
The PH that is on it has 2 (TWO) small outlets or inlets and they connect by 2 small tubes into the part you would attach it onto the backpak .... how would you do this with an ordinary ph?
Sorry but I need to see it i think, maybe mine is different.. it is the CPR Backpak 2 with blue biobale. Is that the same thing?
Thanks, Kim :notsure: :notsure: :nervous:

 

[flatzboy]

Maybe someone that has the cpr bakpak could empty out there collection cup and let the skimmer run for 3 days then post a pic of there collection cup and then once 007's bakpak breaks in he could empty his collection cup and run it for 5 days then snap a pic of the collection cup just for refference. I know a lot has to do with bioload and tank size but it should still be a good comparison. I'd take a pic of bakpak but I know longer run it when I upgraded from a 20g. to a 46g.

 

[007]

The big grey box on the end of the intake pipe that those two nozzles are connected to . . . you can take that whole thing off so that its just a pipe running from the bak pak with nothing on the end. You can then place one of these on the end instead with a Venturi kit and it will be more efficient and safer.

 

[007]

This is a picture from the mfgs. website of how they are now sold. CPR finally woke up and started selling them with the Maxi-jets instead of the Rio's . . . .

 

[shoreliner11]

Although I have changed out my pump I only used a larger rated rio pump. I did put an airstone inside the chamber and I have never had any problems pulling out really thick skimmate. Generally I do not actually pull out much if any water at all. But the sides of the collection cup are caked with usually close to 1/8 of an inch every 2 weeks or so. Anyway, I'll be sure to look at buying the maxijet when I'm looking to up the skimming power a little. Thanks
Aaron

 

[kimkissyfish]

GOTCHA.. thanks.
I questioned the LFS guy and he said they have an adaptor for the maxijet so it works with the backpak 2 now.. LOL
The new backpaks are sold WITH the maxijet now, I guess.. as I was told.
WIll be doing the upgrade THIS WEEK.. Thanks for the heads up.. cant wait to see the difference.
Do you think by the more powerful skimming, I will have to use additives more often??
Thanks again, Kim
Below is the collection cup as the backback is now (old pump)

 

[007]

I don't see why you should have to use more additives, but then again, I did just start using the MJ myself.
Just to warn you in advance . . . when you put the new pump on, its going to be LOUD until it breaks in. It will also take a couple days for it to settle down. At first, I couldn't close the air valve at all without it over flowing the skimmer. But, after the first couple days of leaving the valve off, and it gets settled in, I just started dialing it in until it really filled the bubble chamber. Its now MUCH quieter than the RIO ever was, and there are far more bubbles. It just started pulling skimmate out today as a matter of fact . . . we'll see how it does in a weeks time.

 

[007]

also, make sure you get the maxi jet 1200 . . . NOT the 900. According to the MFG, the 900 does not work well at all with the venturi kit.

 

[chinnyr]

Originally posted by KimKissyFish
Hey,
I run the backpak 2 on my tank. What do you mean change the pump part? Mine has the 2 little prongs on the venturi for the little tubes to suck in and blow out.. god i cant decribe it BUT if you have one, you knoe what i am talking about. Is it a special one you have to order for the backpak??
Sorry so vaugh.. but i dont know the names of the parts.. I think mor epower would do wonders for my skimmer... just getting into lots of coral!
Thanking you kindly,l Kim
You can just buy a new rio600 if you have to.Then just remove the round piece with the two "hole" pieces on it and swap it out with the new pump.

 

[khaotic2]

Can someone tell me what the CPR Mfg. website address is? Thanx:notsure:

 

[007]

If i was to buy a new pump I would not replace a RIO with a RIO. Granted I did have success with mine for three years, this is definitely an uncommon experience. Many, many people report fires that started with a bad RIO.

 

[007]

do a google search for CPR Aquatics. I can't post the site here . . .
On another note . . . perhaps this is just part of the break in period, but man, this new pump has required some tinkering every day since I have had it up and running to get it working at peak performance. And it has barely pulled anything out of the water. I hope its just breaking in . . .