CPR Bak Pak modification

[Gary D]

Hi, I took my Bak Pak off the tank to give it a good cleaning(yuk) and accidentaly broke off the bottom screws that hold it and level it away from the tank. I was all set to exopy them back on when I got to thinking about putting it in my sump. Would this work if I extended the tube to the Rio 600 pump so it will sit lower in the water? Should I replace the Rio with something stronger? If so, it woyuld probably need that venturi modification for the bubbles I assume. Anybody with a Bak Pak done this? Any input would be helpful. Thanks! TGIF baby!

[beach bum]

GD - I have replaced the rio600 with a MJ1200 on my remora, very similar to the BakPak. It should give the lift you require and then some. I use a 2" long piece of tubing to connect output of PH to inlet of skimmer, I'm sure it would work the same with an extra few inches of lift like you're talking about.

Very reccomended! MUCH quieter and pulls out double the skimmate (slightly lighter in color). hth

chris

[CaymanLoversII]

I didn't like the look of a powerhead hanging in my tank runnig a Remora and a Remora Pro. For each one I have placed the PH near the bottom of the tank and connected it to the skimmer inlet with about a 10" x1/2" PVC pipe (threaded at both ends) and a 2" piece of 5/8" ID hose to connect the pipe to the skimmer. Works fine.

I recommend you upgrade to a better pump than the RIO 600, I use a Mag 3 on the Remora Pro and can't remember what I put on the regular Remora.

Steve

[Gary D]

Thanks for the good suggestions. If I go with the MJ1200 do I need that venturi adapter in order to get the air mixture for the bubbles?

[Bingo]

You don't need to buy the venturi. Just take the piece of tubing that comes in the box with the Maxijet, and shove one end into the intake. Make sure you don't push it in too far and impede the imepeller. I have a MJ 900 on my bakpak. Pulls out lots of gunk.

If you are going to put it in your sump, you might need to find a longer piece of tubing.

B

[opihi]

i've put a MJ 900 in my 2R, but i have a micro-bubble problem. anyone else experiencing this and how did you fix it?

background info: it's been running 24-hrs for the last 5 months. it hasn't been cleaned in about a month so there's some algae scum on it, but it had bubbles regardless of if i cleaned it or not. because of the bubble problem, i'm not running the venturi, but i am using the air pump and air stone mod.

this is really irritating, so if someone could offer suggestions, i'd really appreciate it.

thanks,
jeff

[hamburglar]

Gary,

You just re-invented a CPR SR2 Skimmer.
I have a SR2 (sump Bakpak) and I am planning on going with a new MJ1200 to replace the rio.

[FishDaddy]

I've been using the MJ1200 with Venturi Kit on the BP2R on our 38 EelWLR tank for almost a year. The MJ made a big difference in output and is much quieter than the Rio. Initially, it did produce a lot of bubbles in the tank and I used the bubble trap with sponge. The outflow bubbling has pretty much stopped and I've removed the sponge from the bubble trap. I've also removed the sponge from the bottom of the output chamber as it trapped too much detritus.

I also run a Remora on the 55 reef with a MJ 1200. Again, much better and quieter than the supplied Rio. I used a short piece of 11/2" ID vinyl tubing to connect the MJ to the Remora as they don't match exactly.
Dick