Protien Skimmers

[crickit24]

I'm looking for a protien skimmer, I have been looking at the Bak Pak2 CPR. I have a 55 qal and have 45#LS and around 10#LR (40# of LR on the way)so far. Would the Bak Pak2 be ok for this set up or would something else work better?

[Doug1]

CPR sells alot of them, but I get the impression a lot of people buying it for a 55 wish they had something with more ooomphhh.
Yes there are other better skimmers out their but most are more money. Alot depends on what you want to do with the tank. There are no hard fast rules. But personally I wouldnt get a BakPak, T the very least I would look at a Remora Pro (FWIW, I am considering an AquaC EV series for my tank, but like I said thats just me)

[crickit24]

Thanks but what about if I change the pump out to a Maxi Jets, would that be better in the Bak Pak, Remora Pro I read some about it, I was under the impression that it was some what noisy. I haven't heard that much about AquaC EV is that better than Remora Pro?

[Doug1]

FishDaddy did a maxijet conversion on his BP, and uses a Remora also, you might search the sosts for comparison thoughts. The AquaC EV series is the Serious version of the skimmer they make(remora and urchin, std and pro, then the EV sump series) Someone else commented they thought their EV90 was underskimming a 55. Like I said its all relative;-)

IMHO a CPR on a 55 is kinda small. My friends 46 is being skimmed by a ETS insump reef devil. I think you should shoot for a bigger skimmer now and avoid the headaches later. The 55 is on the border of being a small ( relatively) reef to a large ( relatively) It is has the same deminsions of some bigger tanks 120, 90, etc. I would avoid underskimming any 55 you may regret a CPR big time. Even with the Maxi jet upgrade i still find it to be a nice toy, but nothing more then that.

[FishDaddy]

Hey Crikit,
I do have a Remora on my 55, now using a MJ 1200 (Rio 800 died a while back). I have a Bak Pak 2R on a 38 FOWLR. After running these sort of side by side for nearly 10 months, I prefer the Remora for ease of operation, cleaning and function. The only adjustment needed for the Remora is to raise or lower the collection cup. Far easier to run (and quieter) than the Knop it replaced. tell no difference in the noise between the two other than the MJ1200 is a more powerful pump than the Rio 600 which is still on the BakPak. (I've got a new MJ1200 standing by for the inevitable Rio death.)
The Bak Pak is a decent skimmer for the 38 but I believe the Remora is better for the 55. In fact, I would prefer the Remora Pro for the 55 but the Remora is quite adequate. If you have a sump, then I agree with Doug that one of the AquaC EV series or an ETSS or equivalent would be preferable.
Each skimmer needs to have the collection cup cleaned every other day or so for efficient skimming.
I have a grown Pygmy Angel (Centropyge argi); adult Ocellaris Clown; juvenile Ocellaris; two Neon Gobies in the 55 so I have a fairly modest fish bioload. With more bioload, I would prefer the Remora Pro. In fact, if I were making the purchase today, I'd go ahead and get the Pro.
HTH
Dick

[crickit24]

I thought about having a sump, but not going to have one. Will the remore work as well without a sump?

[FishDaddy]

Crikit,
The Remora's are hang on skimmers, designed to primarily attach to the back of the tank. While you could run a HOB skimmer on a tank with a sump, the sump is a better place for equipment, getting the hardware out or the display area.
Dick

[hamburglar]

I have a CPR SR2, which is a sump model bakpak on a 70 gallon with soft corals.

Before I replace it with a larger one I would like to try the maxi upgrade. What size maxijet do you recommend ?

[Doug1]

I would pay a litle more and get the Remora Pro for a 55 unless you want a turbofloater or Red Sea Berlin(both more complex)
Chris I believe the upgrade pump of choice is a MaxiJet 1200

[ 07-04-2001: Message edited by: Doug1 ]

[crickit24]

I have never heard of the turbofloater, what is that. With the Red Sea Berlin I thought those were for larger aquariums around 120 and up.

[Drew]

I have actually heard that CPR says the Maxi-Jet that should be used with the BakPak is the MJ-900, for some technical reason which of course I can't remember.

I have a BakPak on my 45 and at first I thought it was just fine, but am now starting to believe that it may be on the small side. It keeps up, and a 55 is the point where I would maybe consider a more powerful skimmer, a Remora is a great choice. It all depends on what you want to keep. If you want sps, I wouldn't even consider the BakPak for a 55, but if its just softies/LPS with a few fish, a BakPak could do a decent job. It's all relative Good luck.

Drew

[Doug1]

The Red Sea Berlin is rated up to 120 by maker,and there in lies the problem.
THere are no industry standards for skimmer performance, coupled with the fact that no 2 tanks will have identical bioload and water conditions.
Every manufacturere will have you believe theirs is the best whatever, thats why theses boards are a good source of real world input from users

[crickit24]

Has anyone heard of SeaClone protien skimmer are they any good, my brother in-law said a SeaLife was good.
Hopy everyone had a safe and Happy 4 Of July

[crickit24]

Ok if I got the Remora Pro what would be a good power head with it.