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Break-in for used CPR Bakpak?

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

  1. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    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. 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. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    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. 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. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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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. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    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. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I am curious why you added cycle to your tank
     
  8. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    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. 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. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    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. 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. 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. 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. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    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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