slice
Active Member
I installed my new CPR AquafugePS this past weekend. It is a HOB Bak-Pak skimmer/refugium combo. Given my tank and stand dimensions (TALL and skinny), it is the best option I had for becoming reef ready. I had considered a custom sump that would fit the stand, but ruled that out.
I did not realize until reading the instructions and seeing it for myself, that the break in period is more of a material conditioning event; conditioning the acrylic to the SW until surface tension subsides. The unit expelled a fog of micro bubbles into the tank at first, but a day later the fog changed into the occasional larger bubble that floats harmlessly to the surface.
I currently have the collection cup at its lowest position. I am getting yellowish-brown wet skimate. It doesn't stink nearly as much as I had anticipated.
It is amazing to see how much invisible gunk was in the tank. I will try for drier foam later as the collection cup continues to condition.
I have the fuge lights timed opposite the DT lights (which are currently 6hrs total: 6hrs actinic, 4hrs day). I only have a golf ball of chaeto in the fuge, I will get more from the LFS this weekend. I also need to skim a bit of LS from the DT to add, as well as some LR rubble.
The unit sits higher on the back of the DT than I had imagined from the pictures, the fuge light is higher than the Current Extreme Pro fixture on the DT. It interrupts the clean lines of the tank, but we will get used to it in time.
Another thing I had not anticipated was the light leakage into the room. The fuge has one black panel; the one facing the tank. When the unit arrived, I thought about painting the other 3 sides black, but decided to mount it as is to see what happens. I now plan to get some dark black window tint film and cover the 3 sides while the unit is in place (should not be a problem installing).
The surface preskimmer I added as an option is a simple acrylic box with an open top and one corner cut out. The instructions said to install the included foam plug into the corner to prevent "detritus and curious fish" from being trapped inside the box. I decided that I did not need the foam. My fish aren't that curious and I did not want to look at the foam. I also was/am concerned about giving up my mechanical filter and wanted to see if the skimmer would also remove the crap swirling around the tank.
A few hours after feeding Mega Mix to the fish, I noticed that a few floating mysis that would have normally been gobbled up, had entered the box. I realized this is a good reason to install the foam, I would do it the next day.
The next day the mysis were no longer in the box?!? Where did they go?!? Meh, no matter, small mystery, lets install that foam block. Standing over the tank, looking into the box with foam in hand, one of the Peppermint Shrimp was inside! So THATS where the mysis went!
"Oh hai! Tanks for my nu super secwet hidey spot! Las nite I foun 5 little shrimpies! YUM!! I can haz more nao?"
I released the box from the pump, but the Peppermint did not want to leave her new hidey spot. When I poured her out from above the tank, she went back to the pump in protest. I had to nudge her off while reinstalling the box.
I swear I saw her flip me the claw as she retreated into the rock.
**oops, almost forgot: comments on proper skimmer and/or refugium operation requested
I did not realize until reading the instructions and seeing it for myself, that the break in period is more of a material conditioning event; conditioning the acrylic to the SW until surface tension subsides. The unit expelled a fog of micro bubbles into the tank at first, but a day later the fog changed into the occasional larger bubble that floats harmlessly to the surface.
I currently have the collection cup at its lowest position. I am getting yellowish-brown wet skimate. It doesn't stink nearly as much as I had anticipated.
It is amazing to see how much invisible gunk was in the tank. I will try for drier foam later as the collection cup continues to condition.
I have the fuge lights timed opposite the DT lights (which are currently 6hrs total: 6hrs actinic, 4hrs day). I only have a golf ball of chaeto in the fuge, I will get more from the LFS this weekend. I also need to skim a bit of LS from the DT to add, as well as some LR rubble.
The unit sits higher on the back of the DT than I had imagined from the pictures, the fuge light is higher than the Current Extreme Pro fixture on the DT. It interrupts the clean lines of the tank, but we will get used to it in time.
Another thing I had not anticipated was the light leakage into the room. The fuge has one black panel; the one facing the tank. When the unit arrived, I thought about painting the other 3 sides black, but decided to mount it as is to see what happens. I now plan to get some dark black window tint film and cover the 3 sides while the unit is in place (should not be a problem installing).
The surface preskimmer I added as an option is a simple acrylic box with an open top and one corner cut out. The instructions said to install the included foam plug into the corner to prevent "detritus and curious fish" from being trapped inside the box. I decided that I did not need the foam. My fish aren't that curious and I did not want to look at the foam. I also was/am concerned about giving up my mechanical filter and wanted to see if the skimmer would also remove the crap swirling around the tank.
A few hours after feeding Mega Mix to the fish, I noticed that a few floating mysis that would have normally been gobbled up, had entered the box. I realized this is a good reason to install the foam, I would do it the next day.
The next day the mysis were no longer in the box?!? Where did they go?!? Meh, no matter, small mystery, lets install that foam block. Standing over the tank, looking into the box with foam in hand, one of the Peppermint Shrimp was inside! So THATS where the mysis went!
"Oh hai! Tanks for my nu super secwet hidey spot! Las nite I foun 5 little shrimpies! YUM!! I can haz more nao?"
I released the box from the pump, but the Peppermint did not want to leave her new hidey spot. When I poured her out from above the tank, she went back to the pump in protest. I had to nudge her off while reinstalling the box.
I swear I saw her flip me the claw as she retreated into the rock.
**oops, almost forgot: comments on proper skimmer and/or refugium operation requested
