Ditch BakPac for Prism or Remora?

[Anonymous]

My BakPac is about 6 years old and just not doing the job anymore. I was going to replace the Rio with a Maxijet but was wondering as long as I'm putting out the money maybe I should something else that may do a better job. After all the technology should have gotten better in the last 6 years.

The tank is a 55gal with all softies and gorgs and a heavey fish load.

What do ya all think? Remora? Prism? Something else?

-Greg

 

[JohnD]

Greg,

I have a BakPak in each of my 30 gallon tanks. I replaced an OLD Rio 600 with a Maxijet 900 and venturi adapter (from PA). As an experiment, I added a new Rio 800 to my other BakPak. IMHO, the Rio 800 produces more skimmate than the Maxijet 900.

Some folks add a Maxijet 1200, while others also go with an airstome modification (in addition to the Maxijet 1200).

No flame intended, I think you are at the limit of the BakPak's capability with it being on a 55. If you are interested in saving some money (yes, I know, that is not something that comes with this hobby), maybe you could put either a new Rio or a new Maxijet in the BakPak. Those powerheads wear out over time. Maybe a new one will do the trick. For $20, I do not think you would get hurt.

Of course, if you have the money to get something better...

I have only read good things about the Remora, but have no experience.

 

[Roach]

Just wanted to say that I think the prism skimmers work great. I have had one on my 40 gallon for about a year now and it always has a cup full of gunk for me.

 

[Brian J]

I would upgrade the pump on the bak pak to a Maxi-Jet 1200.I would rather spend only $20 dollars on a new pump and use the money saved for other goodies for your tank.I run a bak pak with Maxi-Jet 1200 and airstone mod on a 125 and it kicks butt!

[ November 06, 2001: Message edited by: Brian J ]</p>

 

[J Crew]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Brian J:
<strong>I would upgrade the pump on the bak pak to a Maxi-Jet 1200.I would rather spend only $20 dollars on a new pump and use the money saved for other goodies for your tank.I run a bak pak with Maxi-Jet 1200 and airstone mod on a 125 and it kicks butt!

[ November 06, 2001: Message edited by: Brian J ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

where's a good site that has info on the airstone mod? thanks

 

[Brian J]

J Crew,I got the idea from cpr's website from one of the moderators.The way I did was to get a airline nipple like from one of those lee's discard-a-stone packs.Drilled a hole in the front of the skimmer just below the collection cups lowest point.Make sure the hole is about the same size as nipple so it fits snuggly,and then superglue it in place.After it dries good aply small beed of aquarium safe silicone as a safty measure.Then run airline down the reaction chamber to the bottom and connect 3" airstone,and connect to the nipple on the inside of the skimmer.Then hook up your favorite air pump to the other end of nipple and your set.Make sure to use check valve.

 

[wwinters]

I Hate my Prism (on my 18 Gal. tank) and would do anything to have my old BacPac back. If you really want to go with the Prism let me know and maybe we can work out a deal!

Wendy

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm going to try the maxijet (I'm worried 'bout the Rio rep of oil slick deaths) with the airstone mod.

Question: Can you use a regular airstone or do you need to use one of the wood ones?

-Greg

 

[JeremyR]

The 800's don't blow up/oil slick you like the big rios, but they are prone to impeller failure and inconsistent flow rate (sometimes they go into "super" mode and flood certain skimmers)

That said, there is no small pump out there with a venturi as effective as the rio one.. the maxijet venturi is lame, if they would make a better venturi kit that would certainly be the pump of choice.

Remora skimmers aren't any better than a bakpak, and the prism is a big step down. FWIW.

[ November 07, 2001: Message edited by: Jeremy Russell ]</p>

 

[FishDaddy]

Greg,
I have a Remora on my 55 reef with modest bioload and a Bak Pak2R on a 38 FOWLR. Both work quite well for these tanks with the MJ1200 upgrade.
The Remora Pro would be a better choice for a 55 with heavy bioload. I've also heard lots of positive feedback for the Precision HOT-1, though I haven't had personal experience with them.
I would reccomend first trying the MJ1200 with venturi kit on your Bak Pak. If that doesn't work out, you can always get a different skimmer and use the MJ on the new one as virtually all new skimmers come standard with the Rio's.
HTH,
Dick

 

[GMH320]

I use a Remora with a MJ 1200 on a 46 gal and it works great. I agree with fishdaddy, get the MJ 1200 and try it on your old skimmer, you can always get a new skimmer later. You'll need the MJ1200 anyway.

 

[lionfish1]

Jeremy I have Hot-1 by PM, it came with a rio800 which I am using at the moment (great skimmer), I also got the MaxiJet1200 which I will use on the Hot-1, I had to order a different venturi for the MaxiJet it works on all maxijets, it makes the maxijet a true ventury pump, it it called turbo ventury, go to www.premiumaquatics.com go to pumps under MaxiJet pumps, it's $3.95, you better of buying something else with it you will pay close to $8 for shipping, I ordered a few items and payed 1 or 2 more $ than I would have paid anyway, will let you know how it work when I receive it, cya.

 

[Brian J]

Greg,you need to use the wooden ones,they put out clouds of fine bubbles.

 

[JeremyR]

<<Jeremy I have Hot-1 by PM, it came with a rio800 which I am using at the moment (great skimmer), I also got the MaxiJet1200 which I will use on the Hot-1, I had to order a different venturi for the MaxiJet it works on all maxijets, it makes the maxijet a true ventury pump, it it called turbo ventury, go to www.premiumaquatics.com go to pumps under MaxiJet pumps, it's $3.95, you better of buying something else with it you will pay close to $8 for shipping, I ordered a few items and payed 1 or 2 more $ than I would have paid anyway, will let you know how it work when I receive it, cya. >>

Yeah, that's the lame venturi I was talking about. I'm using maxi-1200 on a hot-1 that I made my own "venturi" for, works 10 times better than the turbo venturi aquarium systems sells, but it looks crappy.

 

[lionfish1]

Jeremy, tell me what did you make youre venturi with, can you share, thanks again.

 

[JeremyR]

Nothing too technical.. basically what rio did.. I glued a couple of airline connecters into the bottom of the pump and stuck airline on, it's closer than the maxijet venturi and restricts the flow in a bit, making more suction and bringing in alot more air.

 

[JohnD]

Greg,

Those problem Rios are the big ones, not the smaller 600 or 800 series.

Best wishes either way - Rio or Maxijet.