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Break-in for used CPR Bakpak?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by dead fish, Jul 7, 2012.

  1. Jul 7, 2012 #1
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    Hey all. I got a used CPR Bakpak from a member here and got it up and running yesterday. Its bubbling nicely but not pulling anything yet. I'm wondering what the break-in period should be for a used unit? I followed all the instructions for setup from the CPR site. I'm new to skimmers and just had a terrible experience with a Coralife Super Skimmer that never started working after five days.
    Any experiences or knowledge would be helpful.
     
  2. Jul 7, 2012 #2
    rbp4135

    rbp4135 Inactive User

    131
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    Was it running when you picked it up, or was it dry? If it was dry I would expect it to take longer to get in gear. Usually it takes 3-5 days for new skimmers to get running for me, but it is worth noting, this depends on how heavy a bioload you have. I know your clown trigger just passed, and Im sorry for your loss, what else is in your tank? How often do you feed and how much?
     
  3. Jul 7, 2012 #3
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    I was feeding a chunk of mysis once a day with two triggers in there. I realize that was probably overdoing it but everything was getting eaten and I was trying to keep the triggers fed after reading so many horror stories about them online. I should have known better.
    Right now my stock is a clown, a six-line, a firefish, a bangaii cardinal, a niger trigger and a yellow tang. I did a 10% water change the other day and just dosed the tank with Cycle this morning.
    From the looks of it, the CPR was not in service when I got it, so I'll wait on it to get going. 
     
  4. Jul 7, 2012 #4
    rbp4135

    rbp4135 Inactive User

    131
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    It should take. Just make sure the air-line is nice and clear so its getting plenty of aspiration.
     
  5. Jul 7, 2012 #5
    Bela

    Bela Inactive User

    2,210
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    So what sized tank is this? By the sound of it you have an underpowered skimmer for the size of your tank (or lots of large fish in a smaller tank).
     
  6. Jul 7, 2012 #6
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
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    It's a 75. I've read varying reports on the bakpak's ability to skim this size tank. I tried the Coralife 125 and couldn't get it to work at all
     
  7. Jul 7, 2012 #7
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    3,985
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    I am curious why you added cycle to your tank
     
  8. Jul 7, 2012 #8
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    I added it when I started, but one of the other suggested uses is to add some after fish loss. I had fish loss, so I thought I'd give it a shot.
     
  9. Jul 7, 2012 #9
    Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    75g tank I would say is pushing the limits of a skimmer that size. The smaller the skimmer is in comparison to the tank the more crap needs be dissolved in the water for the skimmer to start pulling anything out. I had it on a 50g, 29g and a 10g. I wouldn't go larger than 50g with that skimmer.
     
  10. Jul 7, 2012 #10
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    Well crap, pun intended. The Coralife just didn't work at all. Now this thing won't work. grrr. With live rock we're really talking 60-65 gallons of water, which is what the CPR is rated for.
     
  11. Jul 7, 2012 #11
    fewbert

    fewbert Inactive User

    65
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    it may take a week or two to really get going, imo. a skimmer is better than no skimmer
     
  12. Jul 7, 2012 #12
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Maybe I'll Kat rn them both and see which gets going first
     
  13. Jul 7, 2012 #13
    SneakyPort

    SneakyPort Inactive User

    70
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    I used a DUAL CPR Back Pack on a 90 gallon for 2 years on a FOWLR for at least 2 years.  I had success and some problems.  It did do a great job of skimming once it was running for a week.  The problem is that they require weekly maint which I didn't like.  You have to constantly clear the air line as it gets clogged with calcium.  You will probably be best off if you get a bulk reef Gfo or a phosban reactor for nitrates.  To sum it up, My experience is it will work.  
    SneakyPort
     
  14. Jul 7, 2012 #14
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
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    I decided to let them both run and see which one gets going first.From reading I'v done elsewhere, the more efficient one should win out. We shall see.
     

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