Supercharging your CPR BakPak

[Travis]

Using these modifications combined, on two separate bakpak skimmers, I have noticeably increased not only the skimming volume but also the darkness of the output. I can honestly say these modifications tripled the skimming ability of my bakpaks.

Travis

A. Airline modification

Things you’ll need:
A strong air pump- whisper 800 has worked for me, Tetra Luft pump ($45 from drsfostersmith.com has been highly recommended)
Some airline tubing, about 6’ ought to do it
A wooden airstone
If your air pump has 2 outputs, you’ll need a “T” valve to combine them into one

You should do this modification with the bakpak removed from your tank and emptied of water, as you’ll need to turn it upside down, etc, to get the tubing where you want it.

With the pump side of the bakpak facing you, run the airline down the top of the left (output) side of the skimmer and under the plastic divider. You then want to pull the tubing to the top of the right side so you can attach the wooden airstone. Then pull the tubing back through the output side of the skimmer until the wooden airstone is about halfway up the right (output) side. A straightened coat hangar can help push the airline tubing down where you want it throughout this modification process.

Connect the tubing to your airpump, put the skimmer back on the tank and run the air pump after the bakpak fills up. VOILA! You have now seriously increased the production of your bakpak. You may need to adjust the height of the collection cup, as the water level will be significantly higher with this modification. Assuming your venturi was properly set before doing this mod, it will probably require no changing. It’s recommended you change the wooden airston about once per month or when skimming drops off. Be ready to change your collection cup more frequently, especially the first few days after you do this modification, as it’s pulling out a “backlog” of organics the regular bakpak couldn’t necessarily keep up with.

There are other ways to do this modification, but they involve drilling. This is the easiest and most convenient way, but you can also drill a hole in the top of the collection cup and run the tubing down into the reacton chamber that way, or some people have drilled the right side of the skimmer above the water line and added an airline hose “nipple”.

I recommend doing it the easy way first and if you’re happy with it, you can always drill your bakpak later and get the same (not necessarily better) effects.

B. Maxi-jet modification

If you have done the airline modification, I recommend a maxi-jet 1200. If not, a maxi-jet 900 may be a better choice. Simply purchase the maxi-jet pump and the “turbo venture kit” (4.99 at premiumaquatics.com). Follow the instructions on the venturi kit, and attach the maxi-jet where the rio used to be. This may require a very small section of larger airline tubing to connect the maxi-jet to the skimmer. If anyone knows the appropriate size tubing to use, please let me know and I’ll add it here. My guess is ½” but the safest thing to do is bring the maxi-jet to the store with you.

The maxi-jet upgrade without the airline modification mostly just replaces a questionale pump with a good one. Rios are known for failure and, even worse, putting stray voltage into your tank. They may also “melt down” with disastrous effects.

When coupled with the airline modification, the MJ1200 will help your skimmer move even more water, resulting in better skimming and water movement.

[EdgeKrusher]

Sweet Thanks Travis. I still use the Rio, haven't had a problem yet, though I think I want to change, but I still want to use the Pre-Skimmer box, will the Maxi-Jet fit in there?

Thanks

EK

[Travis]

I don't think the maxi-jet will fit into the pre-skimmer box, you might try a MJ900, that may fit.

[EdgeKrusher]

Cool, I may try that. Thanks Travis.

EK

[TDEVIL]

great post T, i wander if a eductor could help people get more out of there skimmer, i know a lot of people use them on closed loop systems and they have greatly improved the flow , just a thought

for those that are interested here is a link to DIY one
(thanks for the link MIKE)
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...hlight=eductor

TD

[Craig Manoukian]

Thanks Travis,

As you know, my Seaclone skimmers with the Maxijet pump have out performed my BakPakII even after I put a new Maxijet on my BPII. I currently just run it for circulation as it will not produce bubbles for the venturi. Will clean and hook-up my twin line airpump as you suggest and see what happens.

Anectdotally, it is very frustrating to need to reengineer this stuff when you pay good money in the first place. Seaclones get basheed but mine (a 150 and a 100) have worked well right out of the box and at a cheaper price than th BPII.

[EdgeKrusher]

I agree that it's frustrating. On the other hand, their product does work well out of the box, and it the users (us) who want better performance and decide to upgrade the components. It would be nice if they wouldn't ship with Rio's though.

Well off to the LFS to get a MJ and a phosphate test.

Peace

EK

[deanerk]

I run my BakPak with a MJ900 and the venturi kit. Pulls at least twice as much as the Rio 800 did when it worked at all. It takes a little adjustment to get it just right and you have to keep the tube leading into the collection cup pretty clean, but I'm very happy with it. Haven't done the airline mod yet. Mine is actually a BakPak I that I bought used fairly reasonable, so I didn't mind spending a little to upgrade it.

Here is another link I had for a while with some more info and the airstone mod also: CPR BakPak tuning

[EdgeKrusher]

Ok, what airpumps would work that rate about the same as the one you use Travis. What rating is your Whisper 800, cuz I can't find it anywhere? Could I use any Deep water pump, I'm assuming using a deep water pump is what we want becasue of the power.

THanks

EK

[Travis]

EK, Whisper discontinued this line of pumps. I now use a "Luft" pump, and it works absolutely fantastically. You can use just about any pump, the more powerful the better, but having the pump's output be adjustable is a very good feature to have.

I believe another company is selling the old whisper pump design, now called "air-whist" or something. I'll see if I can add a link or two.

Travis

[Travis]

OK, as much as I hate linking to "The Doctors" here are the product descriptions. These prices are a bit high for what I'd be willing to pay, you may try to find a used Luft pump or a better deal elsewhere... especially after the Doctors give you the equivalent of a rectal exam on shipping.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113029

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113029

[EdgeKrusher]

Originally posted by Travis
especially after the Doctors give you the equivalent of a rectal exam on shipping.

LOL, I've noticed. Cool I was looking at the Rena Air Pump Model 400, but if I'm going to spend that much I might as well get a luft pump. Thanks again Travis!

Peace

EK

[Travis]

Just don't forget guys, if you spend $100 upgrading your bakpak you might as well sell the bakpak and get a remora... the intent here is to find the parts to do it on the cheap... I doubt I would pay $50 for an air pump. But I would scrounge around on ebay and the buy/sell forums of reef boards looking for a sweet deal. I think I got my luft pump for $25 shipped, used.

Travis

[jlserr]

Sorry Travis... I didn't catch the idea as well... do you have pics for help?

sorry again my english is getting worse

[BHenderson79]

I tried this last night and it made a HUGE difference. I was having trouble with my bak pak after my sump got installed because the overflow decreased the tank's water level and the skimmer couldn't get enough pressure to bubble up into the collection cup. This added a tremendous bubble flow and solved my problem in five minutes. Thanks for the clever idea!

My only complaint is that my "whisper" air pump (which i'd had lying areound unused until now) is not as quiet as its name would indicate.