bak pak skimmers

Paradox · 10-28-2003, 02:20 AM

I run a bak pac skimmer on my 50 gallon reef and was wondering what people thought of these. I have the filter medium in the 2nd compartment. Is it better to not have this? If so, what should I add in there? Can I pile some live rock in there or just throw the bubble trap accesory in there. Also, Does anyone use the pre skimmer accesory thats available?

D.

Python73 · 10-28-2003, 05:27 AM

I have two of them. Nice little skimmer for the money. The bio-bale is garbage unless you are slim on biological filtration. How much live rock and sand is in your system? I keep heaters in mine. Good water flow across the heater, plus it is out of the tank.

By the way, if you haven't tried the maxi-jet replacement for the rio pump, do yourself a favor.

S !

FishDaddy · 10-28-2003, 06:16 AM

Hi Paradox,

I run a Bak Pak on my 38 gal with a 19" Chainlink Moray and it really pulls out his gunk! I highly recommend the Maxi-Jet 1200 upgrade as Python mentioned. I would pull the bio-bale stuff out as it just collects more junk and makes it harder to clean. Just let the LR do the job.

I have a Remora on my 55 Reef and while it does pretty well, I really wish I'd gone for the Remora Pro for that size tank. I've had all of these for a few years now and am not up on current models.

HTH,

Dick

Paradox · 10-28-2003, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the replies. At the moment I only have 40 lbs of live rock but I plan on getting more when I can afford it. I just changed the substrate from crushed foral to 60 lbs of live sand. Is this enought o take the bio-bale out? If so, do I need to do it slowly? I have not done the maxi jet 1200 upgrade, but Ive been noticing that Ive been having trouble getting good skimmate lately, so perhaps this is the next step for me.

D>

EdgeKrusher · 10-28-2003, 11:07 AM

does the maxi 1200 fit in the preskimmer box. I get really good skimmate. I know Rio's are known to explode spontaniously and burn stuff to the ground. Until I find a PH that can fit in the pre-skimmer box I don't want to change.

FishDaddy · 10-28-2003, 11:42 AM

Paradox,

You should be fine with 40# LR and your sandbed. I don't think the bioballs are that effective anyway in reducing Nitrates, if at all, in the quantity you can put into the BP. Many have suggested that the bioballs are just detritus traps.

EdgeKrusher,

I don't know if the MJ 1200 would fit; I don't use the pre-skimmer box on mine anyway. You do need to get the Venturi Kit to make it work with the BP....about $4.

As for Rios; I've had 3 that came on skimmers. The longest one ever lasted was 6 months. At about $19 +$4 for the venturi kit, I'd really recommend getting the MJ 1200. I've had 2 1200's in service for over 3 years without skipping a beat, along with several MJ 600's.

Dick

EdgeKrusher · 10-28-2003, 11:55 AM

How is it at removing the film that develops on the water surface. That really bugs me seeing that. With the preskimmer box I don't have that? or do you have an overflow?

Peace

Edge

cath · 10-28-2003, 11:57 AM

I run a Bak Pak too, and I also changed my Rio PH for a Maxi Jet1200. I don't have the bio balls, but there is a sponge in one of the compartments. After all this time having it, I wonder now if it's a good idea or not. It does collect a lot of gunk.

FishDaddy · 10-28-2003, 11:59 AM

Edge,

Removing the surface film is certainly a positive benefit of the box or overflows. I have neither but using multiple powerheads, with one pointed high enough to create surface agitation does the job for me.

Dick

EdgeKrusher · 10-28-2003, 12:06 PM

Good point. I only have a 12 gallon tank, so I don't know if I need 100x flow rate. or am I wrong about how much flow i would get. I wouldn't mind a replacement, especially if it's quietr than the rio. I really hate that thing, I have to mess with it every other day just to get enough air bubbles to drive the skimate into the cup.

FishDaddy · 10-28-2003, 12:14 PM

Edge,

Do you have any other powerheads in the tank? Even though the tank is small, the BP doesn't produce enough water current that is really helpful for most corals; some more than others.

Dick

Paradox · 10-28-2003, 12:16 PM

Is this the model with the venturi? http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ps/103157.html

It mentions the venturi in the description, but not the name. On other sites, I found that it will mention the W/venturi in the name, but they are 40-50$!! Does the pictures on this show all the necessary parts?

Thanks again.

D.

FishDaddy · 10-28-2003, 12:25 PM

That does have the kit and at a good price.

Here's how it goes together:

Dick

Paradox · 10-28-2003, 12:30 PM

Thank You!!

FishDaddy · 10-28-2003, 12:38 PM

You're mighty welcome, Paradox!