whats your opinion on this...

CPR AQUATIC, INC - BAK-PAK™ 2

i dont have much money to build a sump and i want to get rid of my current hob filter that uses a filter cartridge. says its a protein skimmer and bio filter in one so what do you guys think.

 

Mr Z

are you starting a FO or a reef tank

if its a reef tank, all the biological filtration capacity you will need , will be provided by the rock

the ones with the foam filters are designed for salt water tanks with minimal rockwork
so the bacteria live on the sponge

but in a tank with plenty of rockwork, you dont need or want that sponge IMHO

look further down the attachment and check out the skimmers for reef tanks that do not have the foam filter cartridge - these would be more suitable for your needs, if you are building a reef set up

Steve

 

i already have a tank setup it is FOWLR. it is a 29 gallon tank. i have lik 6lbs of live rock and about 7 pounds of base rock/dry rock i guess you can call it. i plan on adding a total of about 30-40lbs about ten of it live and the rest dry/base rock. i just dont know if i need to have a sump or how to continue. what i understand from you is that the LR acts as my filter it breaks down all the waste but what about a skimmer? do i need it? do you still think i dont need somthing like the bak-pak. forgot to mention my filter is a marineland bio-wheel filter i do have the filter media in there but i dont know if i hsould leave it or take it out its one of those filter media cartridges with carbon?

 

I think the skimmer is an excellent addition

on the link above there where some skimmers further down the page that IMO
are more suitable for you

its the foam insert biological aspect in the 1st item on the link that you dont need IMO

the cannister filter running carbon is also a good idea IMO
Steve

 

I personally wouldn't base my purchase of a skimmer or filter based on whether or not it has a foam insert. 99% will. The BakPak2 has the bio media, it is one hell of a skimmer, I just hate to see someone think because there is media or a sponge that they should avoid it.

 

the rest of the skimmers on the link are Bak Pak skimmers and I indicated he should look further down the list ?

my advice was that he did not need the one specifically with the additional bio flitration capacity

and that he should look further down the list of Bak Pak skimmers at one of the reef tank skimmers, rather than the bio filter skimmers?


Steve

 

i dont have a canister with carbon i have the hob bio wheel filter that has a the filter media cartridge with a bit of carbon in it. if i get this bak pak i want to get rid of that filter if i have to if not just get an hob skimmer rather than the bakpak so should i? ive been told that i can have a few problems with the current hob filter i have.

 

problems - I suppose that if they are not regularly cleaned/ maintained
these and any other type of filtration device can harbour waste and thus be the source of nitrate issues

but if you periodically rinse them out using the old tank water during a water change
then they do not always cause the issues they are credited as having

a location to run carbon is very useful IMO - it helps with water clarity and also in removing toxins released by soft corals

I would
add a skimmer and CPR is a good choice - although if they charge 5 bucks extra for the one that has a large sponge in it that you dont really need , then I would go for the reef ones instead


Steve

 

I've been looking at the same skimmer. Foster and Smith has the Bak-Pak 2R+ which is the reef skimmer for 118.99. My tank is also a 29 Gal. Right now I have about 22lbs of live rock and a HOB biowheel, minus the biowheel. ;D Need to get some more rock.

I'm looking to remove that HOB filter and just go with the skimmer and powerheads.
Hopefully I can get a 10 gal sump/refuge to fit under the tank too. It may be something you can look into too.

 

that what i want to do get a powerhead and cpr and then eventually a 10 gl sump