CPR bakpak 2 question, maybe a problem.

[Enzo]

HI,
I recently bought a used CPR backpack 2R for my 29 gallon FOWLR. It was in very good condition with the exception of coraline on the rio and some on the tubes. Well I fired her up. The water level went up to about where the middle of the intake tube is. It is about 2 inches from the collection cup. IS that right? From what I have read isn't the water level suppose to be right under the collection cup? Or will it foam up 4-5 inches to get over the collection cup tube into the actual collection cup? I really am clueless.... Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the water in mine right under the cup. Let it run for a few minutes it will go down a little. Adjust the rubber ring to get it to just have foam in the tube.
_________________
Lebanese Forum

 

[zbrook1]

Hello,...I just recently bought a new CPR and the water level should be about
1 1/2 to 2 inches ABOVE the INTAKE tube at its highest point.(about 1 inch BELOW the overflow hole)You can adjust the height of the collection cup with the o-ring around the cup. At least thats the way mine is right now and doing a good job!

 

[zbrook1]

Maybe try cleaning the RIO pump/powerhead?

 

[Enzo]

yah I will try cleaning my rio, and if that doesn't work I will just get a maxi jet

 

[Enzo]

well I figured out what the problem was. The output tube was not restricted enough. In ones that you buy at a store they come with a somnge. That restricts the flow and causes the rio to catch up. Wekk IU tried three different sizes of sponges. The first made the bakpak overflow. The second, was not enough restrictiohn, and the third workedperfectly, now it is pulling like crazy. Thanks

 

[wally311]

Hey Enzo, be careful with that sponge. I took mine completly out b/c small air bubbles were getting cought under it, eventually leading to one big bubble that restricted too much water. Came home to my skimmer pumpming water all over the floor one night! Since taking the sponge out, I haven't had any problems. BTW, I'm running mine w/ a Rio also.

-Troy

 

[Yokhannan]

If you're talking about the sponge within the outlet assembly (see picture below) than here's my advice.... unless you are having problems with bubbles entering your tank, just leave the sponge out of the outlet assembly. As long as you do not let your water level fall, which would cause the turbulace to create micro-bubbles within your tank (not from within the bak-pack, but actually created within the tank) than all should be fine. Their primary purpose is simply to catch any bubles that might make their way through the second chamber, and secondly, I feel they exist to help turbulance (within the bend of the outlet) from creating big-bubbles.

Anyway, just my thoughts



Outlet Assembly:

 

[AngelMaster]

Yea

I don't use my sponge either due to that problem of it overflowing. I wouldn't recommend using the sponge at all because as it gets clogged your water level in the filter rises and if it happens when you're not around, flood city. That's my biggest gripe with the unit itself, that overflow hole doesn't do diddly for any major blockage problems. You'll also find, if the water level gets high enough, that the securing ring for the Rio airline leaks like a sive also. overall water level on those things is entirely dependent on how you place that sponge in the outlet tube and is more trouble than its worth imo. Although your water level sans sponge is actually below the top of the outlet tube so it becomes louder overall in the process. My tank is in the living room so this isnt a concern for me,might be for you. Though IMO people with tanks in their bedroom have creepy fish fetishes anyways

However if you're concerned with bubbles that increase from removing the sponge (it's only real benefit) have you looked at the preskimmer bubble trap add-on that can be purchased. I bought the combo add-on for mine and the filter has improved immensely for it, especially in the skimming department and its relatively cheap

Like Eddie Murphy's dad says in the movie "Boomerang":

"You gotta accesorize!"

Related Link for Pre-Skimmer:
[/img]http://www.globeaqua.com/new/product_pages/bak_pak.html

 

[Enzo]

What about moving the whole tube out. When the inside tube is in the CPR without a sponge, the water level is to low. When the sponge is on it, the water level is to high. What about taking the whole tube out. I did it yestereday and it seems to keep the water level about an inch and a half over the intake tube in the skimmmer compartment. ALso how long does it usually take for the skimmer to start skimming. This is on a pretty established tank which I switched the skimmer on.

 

[AngelMaster]

Just removing the sponge works fine for me.

Skimmer may take a couple days or longer depending on what nutrients are in your water. There has to be something in there to skim. I started getting decent foam about a week after I started mine up. This was with the bottom of the skimmer about 1/2 an inch below the water level. I find the recommended depth of 1/4 inch to not be sufficient.

 

[ride928]

I'd also agree with removing the sponge. I've had a pretty decent flood due to the sponge getting clogged. After that, I had to clean it out biweekly. After removing it, no problems at all.